November
Newsletter
Grandparent Cafe
ARE YOU A GRANDPARENT RAISING KIDS?
The Parkway Nurses have organized this recurring event as a chance for grandparents to gather with other grandparents rasing kids. Childcare, dinner and a Guest Speaker from Kinship Caregivers will be available
WHEN: November 14th, 2023
TIME: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
WHERE: Parkway's Welcome Center (located at the back of Parkway South Middle)
760 Woods Mill Rd. Ballwin, MO 63011
Immunity Boosting Foods
As the weather gets colder and flu season starts, it’s important for your immune system to be in great shape. Eating healthy foods are key to fighting off infections and boosting your immunity. Here are some nutrients that boost the immune system:
Beta carotene-sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots, mangoes, broccoli and tomatoes
Vitamin C-citrus fruits, berries, melons, tomatoes, bell peppers and broccoli
Vitamin D-fatty fish, eggs, milk, and 100% juices
Zinc-beef, seafood, wheat germ, beans, nuts, and tofu.
Probiotics-yogurt, kefir, and kimchi
Protein-milk, yogurt, eggs, beef, chicken, seafood, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils
(Mayo Clinic Health Systems, 2021)
Moving your body improves physical, mental and emotional health. Exercise also boosts mood and helps kids focus and retain information better.
(UCLA Health, 2020)Exercise At Home
Outdoors
- Jump rope
- Hula hoop
- Hop scotch
- Hide and seek
- Do a nature scavenger hunt
- Play with bubbles or sidewalk chalk
- Play a sport as a family in the backyard or at a park
- Rollerblade, bike, or skateboard
Indoors
- Indoor hopscotch with painter’s tape
- Indoor obstacle course
- Hide and seek
- Free dance and exercise classes online
- Chores can count as physical activity too!
Check out these free online videos that you can do from home:
(The New York Times, 2020)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
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
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 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)
Important Information from Parkway Health Services
Important forms can be found here: Health Forms
Current illness guidelines can be found here: Illness Guidelines