Brookside, it's cold outside!

Please remember as we move into the winter months that outdoor recess continues for as long as we can even as the temperatures drop. Please dress or remind your children to wear layers including warm coats, hats, and gloves to keep the outside fun and not frozen. I do not have spare hats or gloves to loan out in the health office. Bundle up!

A Health Update from the NWBRHC

The Northwest Regional Bergen Health Commission has issued a notice that there is an increased prevalence of M. pneumoniae, a bacterial infection that can cause respiratory infection and pneumonia, throughout the United States. M. pneumoniae can infect any age, but young and school aged children are particularly susceptible. While generally the infections caused by M. pneumoniae are mild, including less severe forms of pneumonia sometimes referred to as "walking pneumonia", it can progress to more serious cases.

M. pneumoniae is spread by respiratory droplets, and many of the same precautions used to avoid influenza and COVID infections will also help protect your family against M. pneumoniae. Please encourage your children to wash their hands frequently, drink lots of water, get plenty of rest, and cover their coughs and sneezes. A list of common and less-common symptoms of M. pneumoniae is available here. 

To help keep out Brookside community safe, please be mindful of our sick day guidelines and do not send your child to school if they have had a fever within the last 24 hours, have an ongoing or worsening cough, or significant runny nose, sore throat, or other illness symptoms. I encourage all families to partner with their children's' health care providers for more specific advice on how to keep all of our kids healthy this cold and flu season.

Spare Clothes Wanted

The health office is always in need of replacement clothes to loan for students who have an accident or spill at school. Thanks to generous donations we have lots of socks, shirts, and underwear, but not many pairs of sweatpants or leggings in sizes (child) XS, S, and M. I am more than happy to accept gently used outgrown pants for donation to share with our students when needed!