Notes from the Nurses Office

We have had a few confirmed cases of Strep Throat at Hillsdale.  This is not a cause of alarm, but it is a good time to review school policy and medical information.

Strep Throat is a bacteria infection that can make your throat feel sore and scratchy.  In general, signs and symptoms of strep throat include:

·         Throat pain

·         Difficulty swallowing

·         Red and swollen tonsils

·         Tiny red spots on the soft or hard palate

·         Swollen, tender lymph glands (nodes in your neck)

·         Fever

·         Headache

·         Rash

·         Stomachache and sometimes vomiting, especially in younger children

It is possible to have these symptoms and not have strep throat.  The cause of these symptoms can also be related to a virus, tonsillitis or other illness.

Strep throat must be diagnosed by a doctor.  Management of the illness is to isolate infected or suspected infected students from others.   If Strep Throat is confirmed, students cannot return to school until they have been treated with antibiotics for 24 hours and they have been fever free for at least 24 hours.

As always the first line of defense in prevention of the spread of infection is:

·         Good hand washing

·         Covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing

·         Don’t share personal items

If you have any questions about Strep Throat or other illnesses, please contact the school nurse at 484-266-2006.

*We have students here at Hillsdale with life threatening allergies.  Protecting students from exposure to offending allergens is the most important way to prevent a life threatening reaction.  Please remind your children that they should not be sharing food with other students during the school day.  Also, remind your children to wash their hands before and after they have eaten any food.

*During this time of year, there are many contagious illnesses around.  Therefore, we are asking for cooperation from the entire Hillsdale community.  We want to keep the spread of illness in our school at a minimum.  PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL SICK.  If your child has a temperature/fever, they must remain home until they are fever free for 24 hours.  This same criteria must be followed for students who have had vomiting or have had diarrhea.  Please do not send your child to school until they have fully recovered from an illness.  Thank you.

*Remind your child regularly about healthy habits that can make them the best that they can be!!

·         Getting plenty of rest.  Children ages 5-10 should sleep for at least 10 hours per night

·         Provide and encourage children to make healthy food choices

·         Encourage children to drink plenty of water and avoid drinks that contain a lot of sugar.  These include: soda, fruit juices and even Gatorade

·         Children should be encouraged to wash their hands frequently

Parent Nurse Volunteers
The school nurses are looking for 2 or 3 parent nurse volunteers to help with administrative work in the office as well as health screenings at different times during the school year. If you are interested, please call Mrs. Dugan or Mrs. Latimer at 484-266-2006. An orientation will be provided.

DENTAL EXAM NEEDED FOR KINDERGARTEN and 3rd GRADE

WCASD Medication Policy

Immuniztions needed to register at Hillsdale

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