Mrs. Kathryn Curelli
Edgartown School Nurse
For Weekly Updated Health & Wellness Information Please Scroll Down Nurse Curelli’s Page
Understanding Tick Bites and Lyme Disease
2022-23 RSV & Flu Information
Health Office Newsletters
Growth & Development Newsletter
Wednesday, March 25th 2020
Dear Parents,I hope you and your family are well. During this health crisis surrounding the recent novel coronavirus infections impacting the United States (COVID19), in the upcoming weeks I will be posting some short videos and health/wellness links. I may still be reachable during this school closure. Please see my contact information listed below. I have also compiled Island links and important phone numbers should you need them in order to keep you and your family healthy and safe.
Office Hours During this time I will have office hours on Tuesdays & Thursdays between 9am – 9:30am. You can call or email anytime and I will get back to you during these times. If your message needs urgent attention please indicate this & I will get back sooner. **Don’t forget to leave your best contact information.
Thank you!
Mrs. Curelli
https://www.mvhospital.comhttp://www.ihimv.org
https://www.mvcommunityservices.org/food-resources-during-covid-19/
https://www.mvcommunityservices.org
https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/children.html
Important phone numbers
MV Hospital Covid-19 public general questions hotline- 617-724-7000
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault hotline 508-696-SAFE (7233)
Urgent Care and Emergency Services (mental health crisis) -508-693-0032
Wishing you all an abundance of health,
Kate Curelli, School Nurse
kcurelli@mvyps.org
508-627-1420 -Office
508-627-1411-Fax
Saturday March 28th 2020
PARENT RESOURCES
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html
“Answering kids questions about coronavirus”- an interview between a nine year old boy and his health care providers. -Great share for parentshttps://youtu.be/vSsKQPqpS7A
“Parent resource” -CDC Talking to Your Child About Coronavirus
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/talking-with-children.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fcommunity%2Fschools-childcare%2Ftalking-with-children.html
“Parent resource” – developed by National Association of School Nurses & National Association of School Psychologist -Great share for parentshttps://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NASN/3870c72d-fff9-4ed7-833f-215de278d256/UploadedImages/PDFs/02292020_NASP_NASN_COVID-19_parent_handout.pdf
“The Coronavirus explained and what you should do” Check out this animated youtube video which includes a brief hisory or the novel coronavirus (COVID19). – Highly recommended for teachers, parents, and middle school age students. https://youtu.be/BtN-goy9VOY
Helpful resource from the Ma DPH – symptom checker for COVID-19
https://www.mass.gov/how-to/check-your-symptoms-for-covid-19-online
https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-cases-in-massachusetts-as-of-april-18-2020/download
The Importance of Sleep Routines
Being out of school and adjusting to an online learning platform can be challenging for many. For one, it can be hard to stick to a routine. For example, sleep routines may become compromised resulting in reduced alertness, impaired performance and negatively affecting one’s health. Lack of adequate sleep or irregularities in sleep wake patterns have been linked to mood dysregulation such as negative moods, or irritability. Evidence also supports insomnia (defined as a problem with initiating or staying asleep) can increase the risk of developing the symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder, depression, ADHD and social phobias in younger children. It becomes more challenging and necessary to keep routines for children or adolescents who are already dealing with these issues.
Recommendations by Age from the National Sleep Foundation
6-13 year olds – 9-11 hours of sleep
14-17 year olds- 8-10 hours of sleep
18-25 year olds- 7-9 hours of sleep
26-64 year olds 7-9 hours of sleep
65 years and older need 7-8 hours of sleep
4-29-2020 What is your Self Care Practice
Self-care is not an indulgence, it’s a decision an individual can make to enhance their overall physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Adults who choose self-care are acting as positive role models for others including our youth who are looking to us for guidance. I challenge you to think about your own self care practice & try to incorporate one or two healthful habits. Below are some links should you want some ideas and also to learn how self-care practices can positively impact your health.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/deviced/202004/self-care-alphabet-week-4-quarantine
https://www.washjeff.edu/35-self-care-tips-for-thriving-together-during-self-quarantine/
5-7-20
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html
Mandatory Health Records
Please note that documentation of immunizations must be turned in by the beginning of school or your child may be excluded from school until these requirements are met. Copies of physicals should be turned in as soon as possible.
Parents of students entering KINDERGARTEN are reminded to bring to school any health documents that were missing at registration and screening in the spring. Parents will be notified of missing records during the summer. Students are not allowed to enter school without proof of documented immunizations.
Parents of students NEW to the Edgartown School: State law requires parents to submit to the school: 1. A complete immunization record; 2. A copy of a physical exam done within one year of school entry.
The Department of Health State law requires that students have a physical exam at intervals of three to four years. When the exam is done, please send documentation to me.
Parents of students entering GRADE 7: All students must have a Tdap (Tetanus- Diphtheria) booster and second dose of varicella if not already done. Please contact your child’s primary care physcian to make sure this is done before he/she enters 7th grade. Documentation of this may be brought to the nurese’s office where it will be entered into your childs medical record.
General Information
Used clothing: I have a small supply in the bathroom in case a student has an accident in school and a change of clothing is needed. My supply needs replenishing so before throwing away your child’s outgrown clothes, please notify me. T- shirts, pants and socks of all sizes would be helpful.
BMI Screening is now mandated by the Department of Public Health for grades 1,4,7,&10. BMI stands for Body Mass Index and it is calculated by taking the childs height and weight. These grades where chosen by DPH as they are growing years. Public schools have been measuring height and weight of students for many years as part of yearly growth screening. The goal of this screening is to help all people in Massachusetts be healthy and part of that is maintaining a healthy weight. If you have any questions or concerns about this please notify me directly at 1-508-627-1420 Nurses office. Please note: BMI letters are no longer sent to parents unless deemed necessary by the school nurse.
Medication Policy: Children are not allowed to carry or take their own medication in school. This includes over the counter medications like Tylenol or Advil. If at all possible medications should be taken at home. Any medications to be taken during the school hours (1) must be brought in by a parent/guardian (2) in the original container properly labeled by the pharmacy and (3) a permission slip must be completed by parent & doctor prescribing the medication.
ILLNESS: In order to promote a healthy school environment we need to work together to avoid the spread of communicable diseases. This means that occasionally a child must be kept home or may need to be dismissed early from school when s/he is ill. I know this can sometimes be an inconvenience for working parents, but in the long run it may help prevent a longer or recurrent illness and help stop the spread of illnesses to others.
Children should be kept home from school for the following:
1. Has a fever of 100 degrees or higher the night before school or in the morning. Children should be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever -reducing medicine before returning to school.
2.Has diarrhea or vomiting the night before school or in the morning.
3. Has inflammation of the eyes with discharge. May return to school after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment.
4. When s/he is feeling so poorly that s/he cannot participate in regular activities. Please plan ahead what you will do if your child needs to stay home from school or if you are called to pick up your child. Keep emergency numbers up-to-date by notifying the school of changes. In case of an emergency, this can save valuable time.
Our School Policy on Head Lice
It is our school policy that children will be sent home for treatment when they are found to have lice. After the prescribed treatment, your child may return to school, but s/he must report to the nurse for daily checks till the nurse clears the student. It is often helpful if a parent or guardian accompanies the child in the AM for the head check. This provides the nurse and parent an opportunity to share concerns, and answer questions.
What you can do – treatment and prevention
1. Check your Childs head before the start of school. Look for alive, crawling brown insects, an itchy rash at the nape of the neck or behind the ears, ortiny gray, grayish-white teardrop shaped eggs glued to the hair strand close to the scalp.
2. Children should be reminded to NOT share hairbrushes, combs, hats, etc.
3. Long hair should be kept tied back. Please notify me any time you suspect your child may have lice or if s/he comes in contact with a known case. Delay in treatment allows for transmission and great inconvenience to many people.
Thank you for working as a team with the school to keep your child lice- free.
- Healthier alternatives and treats for birthdays
- Non-food birthday celebration ideas
- Visit our Wellness Committee Page
Administering Prescription Medicines to Students Policy
Body Mass Index (BMI) Policy
Head Injury Policy
Head Lice Policy
Immunization Policy
Wellness Policies on Physical Activity, Nutrition and General Wellness