Nurse's Corner
General Information about WPS Nursing Program (click the link)
Allergies
The sun is shining, flowers are blooming and birds are singing. But, noses are running, eyes are puffy and throats are scratchy. Not only is it spring, but it is allergy season as well.
The uncomfortable symptoms of sneezing, congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, cough and others are caused by allergens. Common springtime allergens are pollen, mold spores, animal dander (dead skin flakes and saliva), and dust. Allergens In the early spring are largely from wind-borne pollen from trees. In late spring, grasses start to cause trouble. The worst time for allergy symptoms are during hot, dry or windy days when there's a lot of pollen in the air.
Click here for information on easing seasonal allergies
Flu
The flu (influenza) is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs that is caused by influenza virus. The flu can spread from person to person. Most people with flu are sick for about a week, but then feel better. However, some people (especially young children, pregnant women, older people, and people with chronic health problems) can get very sick and some can die.
Here is a website that will tell you flu clinics scheduled near you:
flu.masspro.org
Lice
Because this is first and foremost a personal health issue, it is important that all Schofield parents are actively involved in their own child's health. As a school community, we will make every effort to assist families in this effort and to minimize the potential for a school-centered infestation.
To this end, we propose the following:
- educate yourself on how to check and detect lice on your own child(ren)
- conduct regular checks on your child(ren)
- conduct all-school lice checks when warranted
- conduct classroom and sibling checks as warranted
For more information go to www.headlice.org
Finally, we encourage you to check your children often, keep hair pulled back, and tell children not to share hats or hair brushes or halloween masks or wigs.
If you should discover that you have a child that has head lice you should immediately inform Brenda Hoye in the office or our school nurse, Judith Sewall at judith_sewall@wellesley.k12.ma.us. They will make sure the information is passed on to the appropriate individuals.