Nurse's Notes

Note from the Nurse

Dear Parent,

As you may know, flu can be easily spread from person to person. Therefore, we are taking steps to reduce the spread of flu in the Ossining School District . We want to keep the school open to students and functioning in a normal manner during this flu season. But, we need your help to do this.

We are working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning schools. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available.

For now we are doing everything we can to keep our school functioning as usual. Here are a few things you can do to help.

Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. You can set a good example by doing this yourself.
Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils, and to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues. Covering up their coughs or sneezes using the elbow, arm or sleeve instead of the hand when a tissue is unavailable.
Know the signs and symptoms of the flu . Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit, 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea.
Keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have fever or do not have signs of fever, without using fever-reducing drugs. Keeping children with a fever at home will reduce the number of people who may get infected.
Do not send children to school if they are sick . Any children who are determined to be sick while at school will be sent home.

If the flu becomes more severe , we may take additional steps to prevent the spread such as:

conducting active fever and flu symptom screening of students and staff as they arrive at school,
making changes to increase the space between people such as moving desks farther apart and postponing class trips, and
dismissing students from school for at least 7 days if they become sick.

For more information,visit www.flu.gov, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO for the most current information about the flu. Please visit our school website www.ossiningufsd.org. for updates.

Signs of the flu are that it usually starts suddenly and has the following symptoms: fever (usually high), headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, stuff or runny nose, muscle aches, and stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in children (but rare in adults).

Please keep your child home if they have the signs of having the flu. If your child develops a fever, it is suggested that they stay home for 24 hours fever free before they return to school.

Suggestions for a healthier winter:

Make sure your child washes his/her hands.
Teach your child not to touch his/her eyes or nose.
Healthy foods and lots of fluids to prevent infections. Keeps your immune system healthy.
Encourage your child to get enough rest.

Please keep us up to date with changes in phone numbers (cell numbers, work numbers and emergency contact people).

Questions? Call Susanne S. Lvidini RN (914)941 0312 x14

Carta de la Enfermera

Aveces el tiempo no se siente como si fuera días de invierno, pero la época de los resfriados y la gripe están en pleno proceso.

Las señales de la gripe usualmente comienzan de repente y tiene los siguientes síntomas: fiebre (alta), dolor de cabeza. Cansancio, tos seca, dolor en la garganta, congestión nasal, dolor en los músculos, y síntomas en el estomago tal como nauseas, vómitos y diarrea en niños (pero raramente en adultos).

Por favor mantenga a su niño en la casa si tienen los síntomas de la gripe. Si su niño desarrolla fiebre, le sugerimos que mantenga a su niño en la casa libre de fiebre por 24 horas antes de que regresen a la escuela.

Sugerencias para un invierno saludable:

Asegurase de que su niño se enjuague las manos.
Enséñale a su niño a no tocar sus ojos o nariz.
Alimentos saludables y muchos líquidos para prevenir infecciones. Mantiene su sistema inmune saludable.
Anime a que su niño tenga suficiente descanso.

Recordatorio para padres de tercer grado:

Si su niño tiene un examen físico este ano escolar, envíelo a la oficina de salud ya que será valido como requisito para el examen físico de 4th grado.

Por favor mantengamos al día con los cambios de números de teléfono (números de celular, números de trabajo y personas para contactar en casos de emergencia).

Preguntas? Puede llamarme:Susanne S. Lividini RN (914) 941 0312 x14