Fruit and Veggie Toolkit for Kids - American Heart Association

Bed bugs are spreading rapidly within the United States. Contact with bed bugs can occur anywhere, even at schools. It is important for schools to be informed about how to prevent a bed bug infestation and how to address the detection of bed bugs.

Since bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, students should not be excluded from school due to bed bugs. The school nurse or school administration should privately follow these guidelines with the student's dignity in mind.

• Bed Bug Task Force

Helpful Links

• Ohio Department of Health Infectious Diseases Manual
• Medina County Health Department
• CDC

• Dear Sixteen Year Old Me (YouTube Video)

Poor oral health can have a detrimental effect on children’s quality of life, their performance at school, and their success later in life. Cavities are preventable and ensuring that students have the preventive oral health services they need in school is important in helping them stay healthy and ready to learn. 

National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) began as a one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 3, 1941. Over the years, it has expanded to a month-long observance. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children to get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Children’s oral health is linked to self-esteem, learning, personal expression, and overall health.

Tips for healthy teeth and gums:

• Brush twice a day and floss daily. Toothbrushes should be changed 3-4 times each year.
• Mouth rinse or chew gum after meals. An antibacterial rinse can help prevent decay. Sugar-free gum can increase saliva and neutralize acid.
• Block blows to teeth. Wear a mouth guard during sports and recreational activities.
• Don’t smoke or use smokeless tobacco. Tobacco stains teeth and increases risk of gum disease and oral cancer. 
• Eat smart. A well-balanced diet of whole foods including grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products will provide all the nutrients you need.
• Avoid sugary foods. Bacteria break down sugar into acid that can damage the enamel on your teeth.

Make an appointment. It is recommended to see your dentist every 6 months.

TIPS FOR TEACHERS OF STUDENTS WITH DIABETES

(Adapted from Loudoun County , VA Public Schools’ 10 Tips for Teachers EVERY CHILD WITH DIABETES IS DIFFERENT.

Each and every child with diabetes may be different symptoms of low blood sugar. Although many of the symptoms may be similar, they will not always be the same. Situations that can affect your student’s blood sugar are: insulin, food intake, exercise, illness, stress and/or any changes in routine. Soon you will get to know your own student’s unique individuality and their typical reactions to low blood sugar.

DON’T DRAW UNNECESSARY ATTENTION TO YOUR STUDENT’S CONDITION.

Your student with diabetes may have to eat snacks periodically in the classroom. In addition to your student’s designated snack time, remember that he or she MUST eat whenever they feel low. This is imperative, especially if the student is unable to have his or her blood sugar level checked first. This is NOT a choice for the child with diabetes, but a necessity!

PROVIDE INCONSPICUOUS AND GENTLE REMINDERS.

Pay close attention to your student’s regular snack time. Not all children (especially the very young) can tell time, or are going to remember their snack time. If you haven’t noticed them eating, pass them a note or work out a special “password” between the two of you that reminds them of their snack time.

DO NOT PUT A “LABEL” ON THE STUDENT WITH DIABETES.

Never single a child with diabetes out as the “diabetic” kid. First and foremost, the child with diabetes needs and want to feel unique and special, just like every other student in your class.

DO NOT SYMPATHIZE: EMPATHIZE

A child with diabetes does not want to need your sympathy. These children need understanding, acceptance and support. Educate yourself in every way possible and diabetes. Learn how it may affect them and have compassion for how they must live their lives each and every day.

ALWAYS BE PREPARED.

Always carry a quick and portable snack WHENEVER you and your student with diabetes leave the classroom or the school grounds. This is especially important during fire drills, earthquake drills, field trips, special presentations and/or assemblies. A small can of juice together with crackers may work best.

USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM.

If your student with diabetes tells you he or she feels low, then give the student a quick-acting carbohydrate snack such as fruit juice, regular soda, or glucose tabs. If your student needs to see the nurse, ALWAYS send a “buddy” (someone who won’t object) with them. Never leave a child alone or sent anywhere alone when experiencing low blood sugar.

ALLOW UNRESTRICTED BATHROOM BREAKS.

When given the opportunity, let he child with diabetes know that it’s okay to go to the bathroom WHENEVER necessary and have a water bottle when blood sugar is high. If their blood sugar is running high, their body’s natural response to eliminate the extra glucose by using the bathroom. Don’t make them feel embarrassed by having to ask you for permission.

BE PATIENT.

Be patient if the student with diabetes has minor problems with organization. High and/or low blood sugar levels may make it difficult for them to concentrate at items. You may have to repeat some things, especially if they’ve been to the nurse’s office during class time.

KEEP THE LINES OF COMMUNICATIONS OPEN.

Always work as a team with the student, caregivers, school nurse and other educators. If there is a special school party or occasion where “treats” are to be served, let the family know in advance, if possible. This allows the family to discuss the options with the child so that he or she can make responsible choices. Often, many treats can be worked into the child’s meal plan.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.

Learn as much as you can about diabetes in children. Consider completing a training to enable you to perform essential key diabetes care tasks such as blood glucose monitoring and insulin and glucagon administration. Your willingness to learn about diabetes and being prepared to perform care tasks or provide supervision as necessary will ensure a safe classroom environment and enable your student to attain optimal academic performance.

For more information, go to www.diabetes.org or call 800-DIABETES.

As a school nurse, you know how expensive medications can be, particularly if you, your co-workers, your students or their families are un-insured or under insured. This program is being provided to you to help lower their prescription drug costs. This is NOT insurance. This is a discount program that works at a large number of pharmacies and grocery stores. This card can be provided to anyone associated with the school(s) that you serve. You, your family, staff members, volunteers, any or all students and their families.

Frequently Asked Questions:

17. Is this an insurance card?
18. No. This is a prescription discount card. It will lower the cost of many prescription medications, but does not work like paid insurance. This is FREE. It will not always be helpful.

17. Did NASN create this?
18. No. United Networks of America negotiate the discounted prices at more than 54,000 pharmacies. NASN chose to make the cards available to school nurses because we are on the front lines of helping families keep their children healthy and in school. School nurses know which children and families are struggling to afford their medications.

17. I used the card and and the cost of the medication was still expensive. Why?
18. Medications are unbelievably expensive. This FREE discount card is intended to reduce the cost of medication. People who are lucky enough to have insurance that covers prescriptions will likely find that this discount card does not help. Those who have no coverage may find the discounted prices very helpful.

17. Why are some medications included for discount prices, while others are not?
18. This discount card includes many common medications, particularly the generic medications. Some medications are not included at all.

17. Does this card guarantee the same prices at every pharmacy?
18. No. This is not a guaranteed price program, so neighboring pharmacies may have very different prices for the same medication.

17. Who is this card intended for?
18. The discount card is intended to reduce the costs for families who have no other options for insurance.

17. Is this card accepted everywhere?
18. Determine which pharmacies accept the card within your zip code and learn more online at http://unarxcard.com/index.php>.

How to get your discount card:

Simply create and print the FREE Prescription Drug Card below and receive savings of up to 75% (discounts average roughly 30%) at more than 54,000 national and regional pharmacies. This discount card can be used as your primary discount plan or it can be used on prescriptions not covered by an insurance plan. This program also includes other value added discounts on things like diabetes supplies, hearing aides and glasses.

Please enter the name and email address in the box below and a printable membership card will be generated. If the recipient does not want email updates, you can enter NONE into the email line. There is no application/enrollment or eligibility required. This program has "LOWEST PRICE" logic to guarantee the best deal on your prescriptions. (You pay the lower of a discount off Average Wholesale Price - AWP, discount off MAC Pricing, or Pharmacy Promotional/Retail price.) This card is pre-activated and can be used immediately!!

Need to order hard copies of cards for your friends, family, members or employees? Simply click http://www.campaignprint.com/una, login using Group# PENASN, and follow the instructions to order your hard cards online. This site will allow you to design and place your own logo on the cards!

Hand Washing Awareness!

A healthy student is a better learner! And one of the biggest keys to good health is hand hygiene! Expanding education to families and caretakers across society ensures that all children can obtain the health benefits from proper handwashing, and society can obtain the productivity benefits of a healthier population. This is a low-technology and accessible practice that can go hand-in-hand with other programs to promote child well-being, such as nutritional support and parenting education (CDC, 2020).

Centers for Disease Control. 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/child-development.html

Germs are everywhere! They can get onto hands and items we touch during daily activities and make us sick. Cleaning hands at key times with soap and water or hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to those around you.

The 4 Principles of Hand Awareness:

1. Wash your hands when they are dirty and before eating.
2. DO NOT cough into your hands.
3. DO NOT sneeze into your hands.
4. Above all, DO NOT put your fingers into your eyes, nose, or mouth.

For more information, go to: https://youtu.be/lPXDxMS_3XI and www.henrythehand.com

Handwashing Flyer

The student should be seen in an Emergency Department right away if s/he has:

• One pupil (the black part of the eye) larger than other
• Blurred or double vision
• Drowsiness or cannot be awakened
• A headache that gets worse and does not go away
• Weakness, numbness, or decrease coordination
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Slurred speech
• Convulsions or seizures
• Difficulty recognizing people or places
• Increasing confusion, restlessness, or dizziness
• Bleeding or drainage from an ear or nostril
• Amnesia concerning incident
• Loss of Consciousness (even a brief LOC should be taken seriously)

Head Injury Form

• Anyone can get head lice.
• Head lice are passed from person to person by direct contact or by sharing objects such as combs, brushes, towels, hats, stuffed animals, etc.
• Head lice don't transmit disease but the itchy scalp can result in sores that can become infected.
• Head lice are not a sign of poor hygiene or poor housekeeping.
• Due to long hair and tendency to head nuzzle, girls are prime targets for head lice. However, boys get them too.
• EVERY family member should be checked for tiny whitish-gray eggs (nits). These eggs looks like dandruff but are difficult to remove from the hair shaft. If they are not removed, they hatch in about one week and there are more lice.
• Check student's hair at least once a week during the school year.
• Use an effective head lice treatment on every family member with lice and/or nits. DO NOT OVERTREAT!! There are lice shampoos available without a prescription. Follow the directions on the package.
• After treating, remove ALL nits by combing the hair with the comb provided with the lice treatment or by picking the nits off the hair shaft with your fingers. ALL NITS MUST BE GONE!
• Wash clothes, bedding, and towels in hot water and dry on high heat cycle.
• Store in a tightly sealed plastic bag for 2 weeks such items as hats, helmets and stuffed animals.
• Soak combs, brushes, hair clips in hot water to kill attached lice and eggs.
• Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, car seats.
• Without a human host, head lice won't survive. Head lice don't like your pets so you can't get lice from pets.

National Pediculosis Association

Hearing Resources - ODH

Immunization Requirements

The Ohio Department of Health requires the following for Grades 7-12:

• One (1) dose of Tdap vaccine must be administered prior to entry.

The Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 3313.67 and 3313.671 indicate that schools are responsible for ensuring that students who enroll in school have immunizations required by ODH. The statute also states that schools are to keep records of the immunizations.

• Pupils who received one dose of Tdap as part of the initial series are not required to receive another dose.
• Tdap can be given regardless of the interval since the last Tetanus- or diphtheria-toxoid containing vaccine.
• DTaP given to patients age 7 or older can be counted as valid for the one-time Tdap dose.

Grades 7-8

One (1) dose of meningococcal (serogroup A, C, W, and Y) vaccine must be administered prior to entry.

Grade 12

Two (2) doses of meningococcal (serogroup A, C, W, and Y) vaccine must be administered prior to entry.

• Recommended MCV4 minimum interval of at least eight (8) weeks between dose one (1) and dose two (2).
• If the first dose of MCV4 was administered on or after the 16th birthday, a second dose is not required.
• If a pupil is in 12th grade and is 15 years of age or younger, only one (1) dose is required.
• Currently, there are no school entry requirements for meningococcal B vaccine.

For more information, call the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Immunization Program hotline at (800) 282-0546.

ODH Immunization Summary 2023

National School Nurse Day! We honor more than 73,000 school nurses in the United States who make a difference in the lives of children every day.

The theme this year is “The School Nurse: Better Health. Better Learning.™” It speaks of the significant healthcare roles of school nurses in school communities across the country. School nurses lead the way to advance health and support education by ensuring that students are safe, healthy, and ready to learn.

Background

Since 1972, National School Nurse Day has been set aside to recognize school nurses.

Purpose

National School Nurse Day was established to foster a better understanding of the role of school nurses in the educational setting.

Date

National School Nurse Day is celebrated on the Wednesday within National Nurse Week. Each year National Nurse Week is held from May 6 through May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

Let’s celebrate our school nurses today and always!

Learn more at: www.schoolnurseday.org.

• Five Ways a School Nurse Benefits the School

Start Talking Building a Drug Free Future - State of Ohio

Vision Resources - ODH