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| BMI REPORTING COMING THIS SPRING Every year, the weight and height of each student in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10 is measured and recorded, per Massachusetts state regulations. It is important to measure children’s growth frequently, because if there is an unusual growth pattern it may mean there could be the risk of a health problem either now or in the future. In addition to measuring height and weight, we use a standard screening tool called the “Body Mass Index” (BMI) that uses these measurements to help identify children who may be at risk for specific health problems. Your child’s screening is supervised by the school nurse, and the student’s privacy is respected at all times. The results of your child’s height, weight, and BMI measurements are strictly confidential – the results are kept restricted in your child’s school health record and will also now be sent to you by mail. We encourage you to share these results with your child’s health care provider. Your doctor or nurse is in the best position to evaluate your child’s overall health. If you choose not to have your child screened at school and your child’s health care provider has already measured your child’s height and weight within the past 12 months, please have that information sent to your school nurse and we will not weigh or measure your child at school. The purpose of the program is to give you information about your child’s growth pattern and to increase community awareness of healthy eating and active living. In Northampton, we address our children’s health and wellness with a comprehensive approach that includes health screenings, physical activity programs, nutrition, and health education.
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MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE (MENACTRA)
Meningococcal Vaccine is recommended for all children at their routine preadolescent visit (11-12 years of age).
What you need to know about the Meningococcal Vaccine
INFLUENZA
For information on influenza, including: current activity in Massachusetts, signs and symptoms of infection, self-care for flu and immunization information, click on the link below.
As a parent, you want to do everything possible to protect your children from the flu. This is especially important when a new flu virus like H1N1 flu is spreading. As you may know, flu can be easily spread from person to person. It’s important to remember that any flu virus can cause serious illness. During the spring/fall 2009 H1N1 flu outbreaks, school-age youth were the most affected group. So as the new school year begins, we pledge to give you the most up-to-date information about the situation, based on the most recent guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), who we work with very closely.
HOW CAN PARENTS HELP?
What can I do to keep my child from getting sick?
It is important to teach your children how to reduce their risk of getting the flu and how to protect others from becoming infected. If we all practice good hygiene, we can limit the spread of flu in our schools.
· Get your child the seasonal flu shot. Vaccination is the best way to keep your child from getting the flu.
· Teach your children to wash their hands often. Washing with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds is ideal (about as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice).
· Teach your children to use hand sanitizer. Gels, rubs, and hand wipes all work well, as long as they contain at least 60% alcohol. Watch small children using gels so they don’t swallow it.
· Teach your children to cough or sneeze into their elbow—not their hands! Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of their elbow. They should wash their hands after blowing their nose or coughing into a tissue.
· Teach your children to avoid touching their nose, mouth or eyes. They should keep their hands away from their face.
What should I do if my child is sick?
Flu spreads easily from person to person. Flu-like symptoms include fever (over 100.4 degrees F), with cough and/or sore throat. Additional symptoms of H1N1 flu include: runny nose, stuffy nose, headache, body aches, feeling very tired, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea.
If you think your child is getting the flu:
· Keep your child home. It is very important that your child does not go to school or other places where they could spread the flu virus to other people, such as group childcare, after school programs, the mall, or sporting events.
· Call your doctor’s office and let them know your child’s symptoms and history. Your doctor will advise you whether you should come to the office. It is best to call ahead so that you help prevent spreading illness to others.
· Call your child’s school to notify them that they are sick, and tell the school nurse if your child has flu-like symptoms.
· Keep your school nurse updated on your child’s medical condition.
· Do not give your child or teenager (18 years of age or younger) aspirin or aspirin-containing products due to the rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome.
· All individuals with flu-like symptoms should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, without using fever-reducing medicines. These medicines include Motrin or Advil (ibuprofen), Tylenol (acetaminophen) or a store brand. Keeping children with a fever at home will keep them from getting other people sick. For most people, this will be about 4 days. See the ‘Flu Symptom Checklist for Families and Schools’ on this web site for more information.
