Welcome Back! The 2009-10 School Year is here!

• Remember to complete the ANNUAL Medication Permit for each child and return to my office within the first week of school. No medications whatsoever can be given without a current Medication Permit signed and on file in the Nurse's office. Copies of the Medication Permit can be obtained from me or on the school website under "School Forms".
• Sports Physicals and Athletic Participation Forms must be up-to-date and on file in my office before any PRACTICE or PLAY/PARTICIPATION time will be allowed. These forms can be obtained from me or printed off the school website under "School Forms".
• Please alert me on any health changes or concerns you may have for your child so that the health records will be complete and up-to-date. All information is kept confidential.
• I will contact parents with any concerns regarding your child as noted by office visits.
• Feel free to call me at any time during the school day:  239-4387

Updates from the CDC: Please visit www.cdc.gov for further information

CDC Says “Take 3” Steps To Fight The Flu
These actions will protect against the new H1N1 too!

1.) Take time to get vaccinated.

• CDC recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal influenza.
• While there are many different flu viruses, the seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three seasonal viruses that research suggests will be most common.
• Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of serious flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older.
• Seasonal flu vaccine is also important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk people to prevent giving the flu to those at high risk
• A seasonal vaccine will not protect you against novel H1N1.
• A new vaccine against novel H1N1 is being produced and will be available in the coming months as an option for prevention of novel H1N1 infection.
• People at greatest risk for novel H1N1 infection include children, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease.

2.) Take everyday preventive actions.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.*
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick.
• While sick, limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Visit the CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/) to find out what to do if you get sick with the flu and how to care for someone at home who is sick with the flu.

3.) Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them.