"Nurses Corner" Newsletter

November 2020 - Keep your teeth healthy

Attention parents! During this time that we are taking precautions to keep ourselves safe and healthy, we do not want to overlook the health of our teeth and gums. Preventative dental care remains as important as ever to keep our teeth strong and healthy. Dental offices and clinics in Santa Clara County are following strict guidelines to keep patients safe when you visit the dentist. Children should start seeing a dentist at the time of the first tooth or the first birthday--whichever comes first. And, as always, please remember to have children brush at least twice daily, use dental floss and limit sweets and juices and other sugary foods. And if you are a kinder parent, your next visit to the dentist will be a good time to get the Oral Health Assessment form completed and turned in to school if you have not already done so! 

December 2020 - Staying Fit During the Winter Months

Over the upcoming holiday break (and beyond), many of us will be spending more time indoors as the weather gets colder. Although it can be a bit more difficult when warm weather is not inviting us outside to run around, we all want to make sure to keep up our efforts to stay physically fit. Physical activity can make a huge difference in our energy level, our mood and our general sense of well being. It can also help our immune systems fight illness in the event that we get sick. One does not need to make huge changes in lifestyle to improve fitness. Just a few minutes of physical activity each day can add up each week to help us feel stronger and more energized and to get better sleep! We are including here some online resources (courtesy of Coach Nick Ramsden) for a variety of physical activities that are easy (and free!) to access and can make staying active at home more fun! 

Active Home by OPEN (online physical education network) -- wide variety of activities designed specifically for distance learning. (Have to make a free account)

Yoga With Adriene -- Youtube channel with yoga practices organized by time length.

Yoga Foster -- YouTube resource with yoga and mindfulness instructional videos to help kids energize, calm down and prepare to sleep.

Get Kids Moving -- YouTube channel of tabatas, high-intensity interval training, with popular kid-interest themes such as Star Wars and Harry Potter.

Train with MLS -- Major League Soccer’s free, at-home skill training program for fans who embrace the motto: “Stay home. Lace up. Let’s go.”

Just Dance -- YouTube channel of dance instruction videos.

Nike Training Club -- has a fitness app with free home workouts, nutrition tips and wellness guidance.

Cosmic Kids -- YouTube channel that has more than a million children following instructions on yoga, mindfulness and relaxation.

RSD Online -- YouTube channel with fun, virtual games for parents and students to use to encourage physical activity, fitness, and exercise. Great for socially distanced or virtual P.E., martial arts, or fitness classes.

January 2021 - Virtual Cooking Class

As we continue to do our best to take care of ourselves during this time of pandemic we all want to pay close attention to the basic principles of good health: adequate sleep, positive relationships, mindfulness/meditation, exercise/physical activity and nutrition. With that in mind, you are encouraged to register for a virtual nutrition/cooking class being offered online starting February 15th. This one is in Spanish but there will also be an upcoming class in English--we will keep you posted!

February 2021 - Tips for a good night's sleep

As we continue to do our best to take care of our health remember that our mental and emotional health are very closely related to our physical health. Research tells us that these six elements help us stay emotionally healthy: connecting to nature; maintaining strong, positive relationships; mindfulness/meditation; healthful food; exercise/physical activity and SLEEP! So, let's talk about sleep. You may have noticed that when you have a good night's sleep, you feel a lot more prepared to "take on the world." One thing that can be helpful (for kids AND parents) to get to bed and fall asleep early enough every night is a routine. Our brains are creatures of habit and so a nightly ritual helps our brains understand that "sleep time is coming soon." Maybe the routine is brushing teeth and then snuggling to read a bedtime story. Or taking a bath, putting on pajamas and then saying good night to other members of the household. The key is the similarity of the routine from one night to the next. Getting up at the same time each morning is also helpful to maintaining a good sleep schedule. Other tips for a good night sleep are to get plenty of activity/exercise during the day so that we are physically tired (but not too close to bedtime since exercise can cause us to feel energized!) and to not be too hungry or too full when we go to sleep. And of course, avoid caffeine (including chocolate and soda) after about noon!

March 2021 - Take care of your emotional well-being

While physical activity, good nutrition and routine medical and dental care all remain very important to our overall health and well being, it is just as important that we tend to our emotional health. As we begin to see a "light at the end of the tunnel" in terms of the coronavirus pandemic now that there is an effective vaccine available to an increasing portion of the population, attention will be turning toward the status of our mental health--both as individuals and collectively. One person recently described the current situation as emerging from a "global trauma."  

How have you and your children fared during this past year? Most families have experienced at least one of many difficult emotions--grief, anxiety, isolation, fear or even anger, just to name a few. For some, it is relatively easy to manage and move past such emotions. For others, it may be more difficult. Resilience is a term that describes that quality that enables us to pick up and move on in the face of difficult events or circumstances. Research shows that there are activities we can do to cultivate resilience. These include meditation, connecting with nature and nurturing relationships with other people (especially those with a positive outlook). Of course, our schedules do not always allow for a long session of meditation or a hike in the woods. But in the same way that performing short stints of exercise throughout each day can improve our physical fitness, we can improve our emotional well-being with small but intentional activities. For example, taking a moment to appreciate a thing or event which might otherwise seem routine and inconsequential ("expressing gratitude"). Or taking several minutes in the middle of the day to simply stop and allow yourself to close your eyes and have a moment of "quiet" (different than "meditation," but a quiet moment can have a similar effect in helping to calm the nervous system). And treating yourself as you would treat a good friend--allow yourself grace and space. In the same way we would not speak harshly to a friend who didn't meet every goal or do everything perfectly in a given day, we can also be gentle and encouraging with ourselves. Speak to yourself in an encouraging manner. "You got this" is a good one. Or "I'll try again tomorrow."

Children are most prepared to learn when they feel safe and loved and cared for. Parents and caregivers are best prepared to provide that love and care when we ourselves feel grounded and supported. There will be a lot of readjustments to be made as we resume going back to school and picking up our lives where we left off.  If strategies such as the above suggestions seem like they might not quite be sufficient to help with the difficult emotions you may be feeling, there are many resources in the community. If you have a trusted health care provider, that person may be the one you want to reach out to. There is also the county "211" service--one can dial this number from anywhere in the county to obtain information about most available services including mental health resources, legal assistance, supprot for housing/tenant issues, domestic violence support, food banks, medical and dental clinics as well as suicide support hotline numbers. The 211 service operates in many other counties as well.

September 2021 -  COVID Safety Protocol - Remember to Screen every day

Protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of our school community remains our top priority as we welcome students back to full-time, in-person learning. We have implemented updated COVID-19 safety protocols in alignment with CDPH and SCCPHD mitigation strategies to keep our students and staff safe while on campus. It will take a collaborative effort between home and school to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19 on our campuses and ensure a successful school year.

Help us prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our school community by screening your student(s) before school each day. Do not send your student to school if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Fever of 100 degrees or higher

• (Persistent) cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Loss of taste or smell

• Headache

• Sore throat

• Muscle or body aches

• Fatigue

• Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal pain

Do not send your student to school if they have been identified as a close contact or have had possible exposure to a COVID-19 case and are awaiting COVID-19 test results.

Please contact your school site to excuse your student’s absence.

Free COVID-19 testing is available for family members at multiple locations throughout Santa Clara County. Please visit the Santa Clara County website for more information and to find the testing facility closest to you to schedule a test: https://covid19.sccgov.org/covid-19-testing.

As a reminder, COVID-19 vaccines are available at no cost to anyone 12 years of age or older. While younger children diagnosed with COVID-19 generally have mild symptoms or remain asymptomatic, they can still transmit the virus to more vulnerable populations such as those with preexisting conditions. To learn more visit sccfreevax.org.

Thank you for your continued patience and support as we work to provide outstanding educational opportunities for all students.

November 2021 - Flu Season is here

Winter is almost here which means that flu season is also here. The flu can cause serious illness. Several hundred thousand Americans are hospitalized every year with flu. Many of the things we are already doing to avoid getting Covid--wearing a mask or covering our mouth with an elbow or tissue when we cough or sneeze and washing our hands--can be helpful to avoid getting flu. But the most effective action you can take is to get the flu vaccine--and with the Covid-19 pandemic, this is more important than ever. 

Flu shots are currently widely available throughout Santa Clara County.  To find a flu shot, contact your healthcare provider or try this website: Flu vaccine finder . If Valley Medical Center is your provider, find a flu shot clinic here: Valley Medical Flu Clinics

November 2022 - Lingering cough? 

Cold and flu season is almost here and parents have questions! As fall approaches and as many people discontinue their use of masks and start gathering together again, upper respiratory infections with symptoms such as cough and congestion are becoming more frequent. If your student has cold symptoms--especially if symptoms include a cough--you will likely be asked by your school to perform a Covid test on your child. If the Covid test result is negative, parents often then ask the question "but my child is still coughing--are they permitted to come back to school?" If your child's Covid test is negative but they are still occasionally coughing, SSD district policy states that if the student is feeling better ("symptoms improving") and they have been fever free for at least 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication), then the student may return to school (also, at this point, it is okay to not mark "cough" on the Ruvna screener). 

Also, as a reminder, fall is the ideal time to get flu shots for the whole family!

May 2023 - You are what you eat

Parents: Please remember that the saying “you are what you eat” is still true. The food our children eat is fuel for their energy needs today and also setting them up for their health status in the future. The foods we eat affect our energy levels, our mood, our sleep and our ability to feel focused, grounded and calm. When children eat foods that provide proper nutrition, they are more likely to feel well and to succeed academically and socially. Excellent food choices include fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, whole grains and protein from legumes, fish and poultry (and dairy, if tolerated). Foods that are not good choices include processed snacks, refined sugar and soda. Spring and summer present an excellent opportunity to have our children try new fruits and vegetables. Melon, peaches, strawberries, nectarines and corn are examples of foods that are grown locally and so are usually sweet and delicious during the summer months. Please take advantage of this over the summer and introduce your child to a new fruit or two that they haven’t had the opportunity to try in the past. If your child finds a new favorite, you can pack it as a snack for them when the new school year starts!

October 2023 - Flu Season Reminder

Another reminder that it is still a very good idea for everyone over 6 months of age to get a flu shot--and that now is the time to do it! To find a flu shot, contact your healthcare provider or try this website: Flu vaccine finder. 

Also, the new updated Covid vaccine is now available! To find information regarding Covid vaccines (as well as testing and treatment), contact your healthcare provider or click on this link: Covid-19 Vaccines, testing and treatment -- SCC. It is safe and effective to get both the flu and Covid shots at the same time and most clinics offer this option.

November 2023 - Nutritious food is important for success in school

The food kids eat can make a difference in both brain development and physical health. Food can affect mood, quality of sleep and energy levels--all of which are important for academic success! Food is made up of two kinds of nutrients--macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). These micronutrients are essential for the brain to develop and function to its full potential. The best sources for micronutrients are vegetables, fruits (whole fruit--not juice), meat and fish (and dairy, if tolerated), and whole grains and legumes (lentils, beans, peas). Please try to make sure these "whole foods" are included in your child's diet every day! Foods that are processed (chips, cookies, etc) do not offer the same quality nutrients. 

December 2023 - When do I keep my child home?

Along with the holidays, the season for colds and flu is here. Sometimes, it is difficult to know whether to send your child to school or keep them home when they are ill. Keep these guidelines in mind: if your child has a fever (over 100.4 F) or if their illness includes vomiting or diarrhea, they should stay home until these have cleared up for at least 24 hours. Other reasons to keep a child home include very low energy levels, lack of appetite or lack of interest in usual activities. However, if your child has a mild cold or is still coughing from a recent cold or flu but feels otherwise well, they may come to school! Some children have a residual cough or nasal congestion for a week or two after they have been sick--they should not be missing school if this is their only symptom. If you have questions on any given day as to whether to send your child to school, please call the office for guidance.

Also, as a reminder, it is not too late to get a flu shot for the whole family!

April 2024 - Dental Care

Taking care of our teeth and gums--by brushing and flossing and avoiding sugary foods--is something we all need to think about every day. Dental problems are actually one of the number one reasons that students miss days from school. Sometimes, when life gets busy, it is difficult to get to the dentist every six months, as is recommended!  For this reason, Bishop, Lakewood and San Miguel Elementary Schools will be offering a mobile dental service starting in the fall of the upcoming school year. Keep an eye out for more information and consent forms which will be distributed near the start of the school year this coming fall!

May 2024 - Heat Safety

Very hot weather can be dangerous, even deadly. Young children and those who are elderly or have medical conditions are most vulnerable to heat. We can protect ourselves by taking precautions. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated (sport drinks such as Gatorade are not usually necessary and contain a lot of added sugar). Do outside activities during the cooler parts of the day (morning and evening). If working outside in the heat, take frequent breaks in the shade. Do NOT leave children or pets in a car--even for short periods of time. Check on neighbors--especially elderly living alone. For more information, click here: Heat Safety Information 

Other links: Español