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Tips for Staying Healthy!

washing hands

Wash Your Hands

Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water, and rub them together for at least 20 seconds. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.

Manage Stress

The business of the school year don’t need to take a toll on your health and pocketbook. Keep your commitments and spending in check. Balance work, home, and play. Get support from family and friends. Keep a relaxed and positive outlook. Make sure to get proper sleep.

sitting meditating

quit smoking

Be Smoke-Free

Avoid smoking and breathing other people's smoke. If you smoke, quit today! Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or talk to your health care provider for help.

Stay Current on Check-Ups and Vaccinations

Exams and screenings can help find potential problems early, when the chances for treatment and cure are often better. Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives. Schedule a visit with your health care provider for needed exams and screenings. Ask what vaccinations and tests you should get based on your age, lifestyle, travel plans, medical history, and family health history. Get health insurance through healthcare.gov if needed.

listening to heart

kids running

Eat Healthy & Be Active

With balance and moderation, you can enjoy the holidays the healthy way. Choose With balance and moderation, you can enjoy the holidays the healthy way. Choose fresh fruit as a festive and sweet substitute for candy. Limit fats, salt, and sugary foods. Find fun ways to stay active, such as dancing to your favorite holiday music. Be active for at least 2½ hours a week. Help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day.

Information obtained from www.cdc.com 

Health Services Information:

Our Current Newsletter

According to the CDC along with the seasonal influenza virus (flu) and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19 has become a part of the respiratory virus season.  Fall and winter are a time when viruses that cause respiratory disease usually circulate more heavily in the community. Before COVID-19, two viruses, flu and RSV, were the main causes of severe respiratory disease during this time of year. Although some people have mild symptoms when they catch flu or RSV, others get sick enough to be hospitalized. Some seasons are more severe than others based on strains of the viruses circulating and our immunity to these viruses.  Flu activity in the United States is currently low and although the timing, intensity, and severity of the upcoming flu season cannot be predicted, it is likely to increase over the fall and winter.  Flu vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against flu and its potentially serious outcomes. RSV activity in the United States is also low currently and is likely to increase. Vaccination against these respiratory viruses is important for everyone and especially for those who are at higher risk of developing serious complications, including older Americans and those with medical conditions. Please contact your healthcare provider regarding vaccinations.

Please send the box top from the head lice shampoo back to school with your child as proof of treatment. Check all members of the family for lice and their eggs. Lice are small grayish-tan wingless insects.  Lice lay eggs called nits. Nits are firmly attached to the hair shafts, close to the scalp and are much easier to see than live lice.  They are small white specks which are usually found at the nape of the neck and behind the ears. Apply the lice treatment to all infested family members, following instructions carefully. After shampooing, remove the nits with a fine tooth comb (metal nit combs work the best).  Application of warm water with vinegar (1:1) or clear warm water may help nit removal.  Use hot water and detergent to wash sheets, pillowcases and clothing. Hot dry (at least 20 minutes) or dry clean blankets, bedspreads, hats, and sleeping bags; or seal in a plastic trash bag for at least two weeks. Soak combs and brushes, head bands and barrettes in the treatment shampoo or hot water for at least 10 minutes or wash in dishwasher. Thoroughly vacuum carpets, upholstery, pillows, and mattresses and discard vacuum cleaner bag. Bike helmets, head phones, stuffed animals should be placed in a plastic bag and tied for 10 days. Remember to retreat in 7 days. Lice live on people. Concentrate your time on the infested person before the environment. We do not inform parents when a classmate has lice-this is private information. If we find lice on your child we will notify you. We do encourage parents to notify close play-mates. We are always happy to check your child’s hair (or a parent’s hair) if you suspect lice.  Please call the school’s Health Office if you have any questions or concerns at (607) 257-1555.