• Welcome to the Health Office

    PLEASE SIGN UP FOR E-ALERTS FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE SINCE THIS IS THE PRIMARY WAY FOR COMMUNICATING IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATION TO OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY.  SPECIFICALLY, YOU NEED TO GO TO THE SCHOOL WEBSITE (NOT THE PARENT PORTAL), SIGN IN, AND SIGN UP FOR "HEALTH OFFICE" E-ALERTS IN ADDITION TO OTHER E-ALERTS TO WHICH YOU HAVE SUBSCRIBED.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR ANY CLARIFICATION! 

     Weekly Update as of 4/20/2018

    Over the past week, the student absentee rate due to illness has significantly increased.  Five students are being treated for strep throat, three students tested positive for seasonal flu, nine students were absent due to viral upper respiratory illness, and eight students were absent with gastrointestinal illness (vomiting and/or diarrhea).  No staff members reported testing positive for seasonal flu.  Other reasons for absence were varied and not related to contagious illnesses. As always, I will continue to provide a weekly health office update every Friday or earlier in the week, if needed.  

    Please remember to notify me if your child has any communicable illness/issue (strep throat, respiratory infections, gastrointestinal infections, MRSA skin infections, impetigo, pink eye, flu, head lice, etc.). Sharing this information is critical since it promotes my ability to keep you informed as to health-related concerns in our school community.  As always, such information is kept in strictest confidence.  

    In our ongoing efforts to minimize the spread of pediculosis (head lice), please be vigilant about checking your child's scalp on a regular basis.  It is critical to remember that treatment should only be performed if active head lice and/or nits are found and treatment should not be applied as a preventative measure.  As always, with contagious issues, it is imperative that you notify me if you find active head lice and/or nits in your child's scalp.  Adhering to this practice promotes my ability to minimize the spread by screening others who may have been exposed as well notifying our parent community.  All information is kept in strictest confidence.  Please see this link for evidence-based information concerning its management.  There is additional information under the  "Pediculosis (Head Lice) Management" tab on this website.  Over the past week, no cases of head lice were detected or reported.

    https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/index.html 

     

          Healthy School Snacks and Lunches

    Please see this link from The American Heart Association for some helpful hints!

    https://recipes.heart.org/articles/1052/meal-planning-how-to-pack-a-healthy-school-lunchr

    Seasonal Flu Information
     
    Please see attached link to the CDC website for general information specific to the 2017-18 flu season.  Please remember to get vaccinated!
     
     
    Handwashing, Handwashing, Handwashing! You can help us limit the spread of illnesses by encouraging your family members to wash hands often, especially after coughing or sneezing. Washing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is ideal. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective. Remember to keep hands away from the face and avoid touching the mouth, nose, and eyes. Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or cough into the inside of the elbow. Stay home when sick.
     
    Please remember to review handwashing with your children.  Specifically, be sure that they know HOW to wash, rinse, and dry; WHEN to wash, and WHY washing is important.  Sending a hand wipe or hand sanitizer for use prior to snack and lunch should be considered and serves as an adjunct to washing with soap and water.  Please know that the school will reinforce this practice with your children.  As we all know, handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection.
     
    Permanent Medication Drop Box in the Borough
     
    The borough of Hillsdale is very fortunate to have a permanent medication disposal drop box.  It is located in the Hillsdale Police Department’s lobby and can be accessed 24/7/365. Please utilize it on a regular basis and encourage your family, friends and neighbors to do the same.  Why is this important? The nationwide heroin epidemic is linked to easy access to prescription opioids in homes. Across the country, efforts to address this epidemic are taking place at all levels: in homes, communities, and with prescribers. In Hillsdale, our School Health Leadership Team has been working with community stakeholders to intervene earlier to minimize substance abuse through education, appropriate disposal of ALL unused and expired medications, and the establishment of partnerships that will promote healthy decision making.  What can you do? Please work with us as we do our best to keep our entire community safe. Stay tuned for future information concerning this issue and visit www.americanmedicinechest.com to learn more and take the 5 step American Medicine Chest Challenge pledge.
     
    Parents of New and 3rd Grade Students
     
    Please remember to submit all physicals and immunization forms now. For 3rd grade students, please remember that a physical examination is strongly recommended.   Please keep this in mind as you schedule your child's medical appointments. 
     
    Medication Administration
     
    Please remember that all medication administration forms must be updated annually and signed by both the physician and a parent.  This applies to prescription and OTC medications.
     
    Health Insurance
     
    If you are interested in obtaining information about NJ Family Care, New Jersey's affordable health insurance plan, please contact me or visit www.njfamilycare.org.  
     
    Rose Catton, MSN, RN, NJ-CSN
    School Nurse, Ann Blanche Smith School
    Johnson & Johnson School Health Leadership Fellow 
     
    My door is always open!