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Sprains or strains are less common in younger children. This is because their growth plates are weaker than the muscles or tendons. This instead leads to fractures.
Orthopedic Injuries
Orthopedic Injuries
Orthopedic injuries occur frequently in children and many of them have the same signs such as pain, redness, swelling and discoloration. It can be difficult to know the difference and in many instances an x-ray may be required. Here are some common terms you might hear:
Contusion/(bruise)-is an injury to the soft tissue often caused by a blunt force
Dislocations- occurs when extreme force is put on a joint, causing two connected bones to slip out of position in a joint
Sprain- stretching or tearing of ligaments (fibrous tissue that connect two bones together in your joint)
Strain- is an injury to a muscle or a tendon( fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones)
Fracture-is a broken bone, which commonly needs a cast to heel properly
(John Hopkins Medicine, 2024)
Type 1 Diabetes is the most common type of diabetes diagnosed in children but can be diagnosed at any time.
352,000 children and adolescents younger than age 20 years have been diagnosed in the US.
Risk Factors for Type 1 Diabetes: anyone who has a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes, more common in white children than other races, and exposures to certain viruses can trigger the disease.
Diabetes Awareness
Diabetes Awareness
Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disorder where a person's body mistakenly attacks the cells that produce insulin. When too many cells are destroyed your body can't make insulin or can't make enough insulin.
If your child experiences any of the following symptoms seek medical care:
Frequent urination
Feeling very thirsty
Feeling very hungry even when eating
Extreme fatigue
Blurred vision
Slow to heal cuts/bruises
Unexplained weight loss
(American Diabetes Association, 2025)
E-Cigarettes, Vapes and JUULs - What You Should Know
E-Cigarettes, Vapes and JUULs - What You Should Know
Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, include e-pens, e-pipes, e-hookah, and e-cigars are known collectively as ENDS— electronic nicotine delivery systems. According to the FDA, e-cigarettes are devices that allow users to inhale an aerosol containing nicotine or other substances.
Unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes are generally battery-operated and use a heating element to heat e-liquid from a cartridge (usually refillable), releasing a chemical-filled aerosol.
No e-cigarette has been found to be safe and effective by FDA in helping smokers quit.
20% of all youth use e-cigarettes. That is a 135% increase in the last 2 years.
E-cigarettes almost always contain harmful ingredients including nicotine.
Acrolein, a known ingredient of many e-cigarettes, causes irreversible lung damage.
Nicotine exposure during adolescence can harm the developing brain.
The most popular e-cigarette among teens is JUUL
All JUUL pods contain some nicotine—something many youths don't realize. According to the manufacturer, one JUUL pod may contain as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes.
(CDC, 2024)
Energy Drinks and Kids
Energy Drinks and Kids
Energy drinks are beverages that usually contain high levels of caffeine, added sugars and legal stimulants used to increase alertness and energy.
How much Caffeine is Safe?
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that caffeine and other stimulant substances contained in energy drinks have no place in the diet of children.
The current recommendation for adolescents ages 12-18 is less than 100 mg of caffeine per day, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Potential Dangers of Energy Drinks
Up to 50% of adolescents report consuming energy drinks although the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against it. Some of the health consequences related to consuming energy drinks include:
Heart complications (such as irregular heartbeat and heart failure)
Anxiety (feeling nervous and jittery)
Insomnia (unable to sleep)
Dehydration (not enough water in your body)
Popular Energy Drinks
Popular Energy Drinks
Energy drinks can contain 100-200 mg of caffeine per serving.
Caffeine Content of Popular Drinks:
Red Bull = 114mg
Monster = 160mg
Rockstar = 160mg
Bang = 160mg
Alani Nu= 200mg
Celsius = 200mg
SPOT Check - This device is used for students who are nonverbal, those unable to understand the primary screening methods, or those who failed their original screening.
The SPOT machine takes a quick picture of the students eyes & is then able to produce a result of pass or fail. It tests for eye problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, eye misalignment, blurred vision & more.
If you have questions about the vision screenings, need any vision resources, or have vision concerns for your child then reach out to your child's school nurse & they would be happy to help!
Parkway Vision Screenings
Parkway Vision Screenings
Parkway nurses are completing vision screenings on students across the district in preschool, kindergarten, 3rd, 5th, 7th, & 10th grade as well as any new students to our district.
Below are the types of tests that are used:
Preschool & Kindergarten:
LEA symbol chart - Distance Screening. The LEA Symbol chart is placed at a 10 foot distance; passing for age 6 & under is 20/40
Stereopsis Kit (Buttterfly or Random Dot E) - Binocularity Screening. This screening determines the ability of both eyes working together.
Elementary:
HOTV with Proportional Spacing or Sloan Letter - Distance Screenings. These charts are placed at a 10 foot distance; passing for ages 6 & over is 20/30
Middle & high school students:
HOTV with Proportional Spacing - Distance Screening; passing is 20/30
(Parkway School District, 2019)
Healthy Sleeping Habits
Healthy Sleeping Habits
Make sufficient sleep a family priority
- Be a role model of sleeping habits
Keep a regular daily routine
- Wake up and go to bed at the same time
Be active during the day
Monitor screen time
- Turn off all screen 1 hour prior to bed
Create a sleep supportive environment
- Dim to the lights and control the room temperature
Avoid over scheduling
- Allow for time to wind down
Learn to recognize sleep problems
- Nighttime awakening, snoring, sleep apnea, etc.
(Healthychildren.org, 2018)
Health Effects of Inadequate Sleep
Health Effects of Inadequate Sleep
Behavioral problems
Academic difficulty
Impaired decision making
Impacts on mood
- Anxiety
Reduces the body's ability to fight illness
Increase in risk-taking behaviors
Shortened attention span
Decreased memory functioning
Health complications
- Obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, irregular heartbeat, and diabetes
Important Information from Parkway Health Services
Important Information from Parkway Health Services
Important forms can be found here: Health Forms
Current illness guidelines can be found here: Illness Guidelines
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