Small Elementary School

From our Nurse

Dear Parents / Guardians,

As we start a new school year we want to remind you of our concern for students and staff alike who have potentially life threatening allergies. These allergies include peanuts, all tree nuts and latex.

Nationally, a growing number of people are experiencing allergic reactions to things made of natural rubber latex, the milky material (milky sap) derived from the tropical rubber tree. So many of the items we use everyday contain latex in different amounts. This is a major ingredient in most rubber products. This is what gives many of our everyday products the strength and flexibility. Latex is found in balloons, rubber soled shoes and sneakers, pencil erasers, rubber nipples for baby bottles, rubber band, kooch balls, tires, backing on carpeting, playground equipment, elastic on socks and underwear, handles on racket and tools, dishwashing gloves, chewing gum and even the scratch off on instant lottery tickets.

Over the past few years, an increased incidence of latex allergy has been reported in individuals with other allergies, asthma, eczema, and those who have had multiple surgeries, especially during the first years of life. Exposure to latex for someone allergic to or at risk of developing a latex allergy is cumulative (ie; the more exposures, the increased potential of a severe reaction.) Exposure at one moment may mean an immediate or a delayed allergic response. A reaction can occur by direct contact (skin to skin) or indirect. An allergic response can vary from skin irritation, itching, runny nose, itching eyes, and scratchy throat to more serious symptoms such as hives, asthma and anaphylactic shock.

We recognize that it is impossible to remove all latex products however many safe, alternative products exist. By consistently substituting latex-free alternatives we will reduce latex exposure overall.

To address the needs of food and latex allergic students and staff the following changes have been made:

* No nut or peanut products will be served by Food Service

* Nut and peanut-free classrooms for Grades 2, 4 and 5 for this school year.

* Availability of a nut and peanut-free lunch table.

* 24 hour notice of foods to be brought to classrooms.

* Handwashing after eating nut or peanuts products

* Latex-free gloves and bandaids.

* School doors posted with allergy reminders.

* Only mylar balloons are acceptable in school building.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and keeping our school a safe place.

Sincerely,

Louise Cormier RN

From the Nursing Department

Dear Parents/Guardian,

The primary role of School Nurses is to support student learning. We believe that healthy children are better learners and our work is directed toward that end. The goal of school health services is to meet the acute and chronic health needs of all school age children. We see ourselves as advocates for children and health care partners with you, the parent. Together we can minimize the impact of both short term and long term illness on your child's attendance and learning. We collaborate with the Bureau of health to identify and prevent the spread of disease and perform the required Department of Education screening programs: Immunization, Vision, Hearing and Spinal.

Did you know that...

• Most school nurses work in more than one building.

• Most school nurses have over 500 children assigned to them.

• School nurses must delegate some tasks to unlicensed school personnel during the time we are not in a particular school (minor, urgent first aide, medication administration etc)

How parents can help:

• Keep your child's school health information current.

• Please respond to health services requests immediately.

• Make sure emergency contacts are current throughout the year.

• Make sure someone is available by the phone at all times

• Teach your child good self care (handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, caring for minor cuts and scrapes, avoiding illnesses/infestations by not sharing food, drinks, or articles of clothing. We will reinforce the same at school.

• Make sure children start their day with breakfast.

• Consult your child's health care provider regarding injuries that happen outside of school.

•If you have concerns about your child's illness, contact your health care provider.

• To limit the spread of disease to classmates and staff, keep your child home if he/she

......has vomited during the night

......has a fever

......has a persistent cough not controlled by medications (consult with health care provider)

......develops a rash (consult with child's health care provider)

• Give over-the-counter medications (if necessary) at home, before and after school.

• If at school, your child is expected to participate in the entire school day. Often a day of rest and care at home will help he/she return to school the next day with enough energy to be active and ready to learn.

We acknowledge the challenge of keeping children well and managing the demands of a busy work and home life at the same time. We than you in advance for all your hard work.

Where to find school nurses

The following is a tentative schedule that reflects our best efforts to serve as many children as possible. Scheduled needs of students do not allow for flexibility in school coverage.

School	Times	Nurse
SPHS	All Day	Meg Braley
	Early AM	Eileen Spencer
Memorial	AM	Sue Comyns
Mahoney	Late AM-PM	Eileen Spencer
Skillin	AM	Louise Cormier
	PM	Sue Comyns
Dyer/Kaler	AM/PM-Alternates Weekly	Sue Heeschen
Brown	9:30-1:30	MaryAnne Doherty
	Late PM	Louise Cormier
Small	Late AM-PM	Louise Cormier

For further information please contact your school nurse or check the SPHS Health Services site.