March
Newsletter
Water Safety
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 1-14 years old.
Research local water conditions, currents, and rules. Ask about local sea animals.
Pay attention to colored beach flags that indicate whether it is safe or not to swim.
Never swim alone.
Supervise children at all times while in the water.
Wear life jackets while on boats or participating in water activities.
Do not dive in shallow water
Spring Break Travel Safety with Kids
Make sure your child is up to date on all routine vaccines. Talk to their healthcare provider if traveling out of the country to see if additional vaccines are recommended
Pack a First Aid kit
Apply sunscreen often while outdoors. Also consider SPF clothing, hats and sunglasses to protect against the sun.
Apply EPA-registered insect repellent and cover skin with clothing when outdoors. Check for ticks and promptly remove after being outdoors
Avoid unfamiliar animals as they could potentially carry disease or cause harm
Pack appropriate clothing for the climate, prepare by looking up weather prior to travel. For colder climates, dress is several layers and avoid getting wet.
Children should always wear a seat belt or sit in appropriate car and booster seats. Generally, children are safest traveling in the backseat.
Choose safe foods while traveling. Safe foods include food and drinks served hot, dry packaged foods, and bottled or canned beverages. Risky foods to be avoided include raw foods, street foods and wild game. Tap water and ice in low-income countries is also considered risky.
Epilepsy Awareness
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that is characterized by recurrent seizures. Signs & symptoms of seizures can vary per person. World Epilepsy Day is celebrated each year on March 26th to bring awareness to the estimated 50 million people world wide who are living with this diagnosis. There are numerous Parkway students who fall into this catergory & we can help bring awareness by having more people understand what a seizure looks like, and what to do if you see someone having a seizure.
(Epilepsy Foundation, 2023)
What a Seizure Can Look Like:
Repeated movements
Convulsion
Tremors, twitching, or jerking movements
Repeated blinking
Rigid & tense muscles
Changes in skin color
Difficulty talking or swallowing
Loss of bladder/bowel control
What to Do If You See Someone Having a Seizure:
Stay with the person & remain calm
Note the time that seizure activity began
Check for medical ID
Keep the person safe - move them away from harm
Turn the person on their side if they are not awake
Keep airway clear - never put anything in their mouth
You can put something small & soft under their head but never restrain them
Wear purple on March 26 to help support & bring awareness!
Call 911 If:
The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
The person does not return to their usual state
They are having difficulty breathing
They are injured, sick, or pregnant
Seizure occurs in water
Other names for "sugar" seen on ingredient lists:
High-fructose corn syrup
Fructose
Fruit juice concentrates
Honey
Sugar
Syrup
Corn syrup
Sucrose
Dextrose
Rethink Your Drink
Many Americans consume too many added sugars, which can lead to significant health problems. Sugary drinks are the leading source of added sugars in our diet. Sugary drinks include regular soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened waters, coffee and tea beverages. Sugary drinks can increase your risk for weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney diseases, non-alcoholic liver disease, tooth decay, cavities, and gout. Limiting sugary drinks and consuming more water can help you maintain a healthy weight and improve your diet.
Ways to improve your water habits:
Try adding berries, lemon, limes, or cucumber
Add a splash of plain fruit juice to sparkling water
Keep a jug or bottles of water in the fridge
Carry a refillable water bottle and refill it through out the day
More info for families:
Concussions
A concussion can happen from a blow to the head or any impact that causes the brain to bounce or twist around inside the skull.
Did you know...
You do not need to lose consciousness to get a concussion.
Having one concussion increases the risk of getting another.
Concussions aren't always due to a blow to the head. A hit to the body that causes the brain to bounce back and forth in the skull can cause a concussion.
For more information, visit familydoctor.org.
(American Academy of Family Physicians, 2021)
Seasonal Allergy Management
Spring allergies begin in February and last until the early summer. During spring outdoor molds release spores and trees, grasses, and weeds release pollen. The immune systems can see mold spores or pollen as invaders and release chemicals, including histamine, into the bloodstream to defend against them. It’s the release of these chemicals that causes allergy symptoms. Strategies to avoid allergy triggers are:
Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air
Keep windows and doors shut at home and in your car during allergy season
Take a shower, wash your hair and change your clothes after you’ve been working or playing outdoors
Wear a filtered mask while working or doing chores outdoors
Do not hang laundry outside
Use high-efficiency filters to remove allergens from your home
Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier
Start taking allergy medication before symptoms begin (oral antihistamines, decongestants, nasal spray, etc)
(Mayo Clinic, 2022)
Important Information from Parkway Health Services
Important forms can be found here: Health Forms
Current illness guidelines can be found here: Illness Guidelines
Seasonal Allergy Letter can be found here: Allergy Letter