Local pollen counts remain very high, and we are continuing to see lots of allergy symptoms in our students week–especially lots of red, itchy eyes! Allergic symptoms are easier to prevent than control once they start. If your child suffers from seasonal allergies, please consider speaking with their pediatrician regarding options to help keep them comfortable during the spring and summer months. As a reminder, while I am happy to administer medications at school, including OTCs, must be accompanied with signed consent by a parent and a healthcare provider. You can download a copy of your medication authorization form, and please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Mount Sinai’s Parenting Center has a great blog post with lots of information on helping kids get through seasonal allergy season.
As we move into spring sports seasons, please be reminded of the following district policies regarding injuries and the use of medical appliances during school:
Students who require the use of a medical device (including a brace, sling, splint, wrap, cast, or crutches) due to injury must have a doctor’s note documenting the nature of the injury, activity restrictions in place, and any necessary accommodations (if any).
Students who come to school with a medical device – including any of the above applied at home by a parent – without a corresponding doctor’s note will not be able to participate in PE or recess until medical clearance is provided.
Students who are excused from PE by a doctor due to illness or injury may not go outside for recess unless they have a doctor’s note giving explicit permission to go outdoors and required activity limitations.
I have also seen an increase in students visiting with complaints related to injuries which occurred outside of school on prior days. Please note (and remind your children) that for their safety, if an injury is significant enough that they must leave class the following day due to discomfort or pain, they will be required to abstain from PE/recess until they are medically cleared as able to safely participate. It is never my wish that our students miss time outside, especially after such a long and cold winter, but as always, their health and safety is my greatest concern.