Nelson School

                                                 Erica Byers RN BSN                                  

847-745-6418 or ebyers@emsd63.org                 

Click here to view school guidelines and health forms

April 2012

Bike riding is fun and a great way to get exercise.  However, it is important to remember that accidents can happen.  Let’s find out how to stay safe on two wheels!

Helmets

*Wear a helmet every time you ride!!!

*The helmet should meet safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) and have a CSPC sticker

*Make sure it fits correctly: It should cover your forehead but not your eyes, the straps should come together in a Y shape under the ears and the chin strap should fit snuggly, providing slight resistance when you open your mouth

*Take care of your helmet so it doesn’t get damaged

Bikes

*Make sure the bike is the right size for you: there should be 1-3 inches of space between you and the top bar when you straddle the bike with both feet flat on the ground

*Make sure the seat, handlebars and wheels fit tightly

*Check and oil the chain regularly

*Make sure the brakes work well and don’t stick

*Make sure there is enough air in the tires

Be seen

*Wear bright clothes

*Put reflectors on your bike

*Avoid riding when it is dark

Where to ride

*Ask mom and dad where you are allowed to ride

*Look for designated bike paths

*Kids younger than 10 should ride on the sidewalk

Road Rules

*Always keep your hands on the handlebars

*Always stop and check for traffic

*Cross at intersections

*Walk your bike through busy intersections

*Ride the same direction as cars do

*Use bike lanes when available

*Don’t ride too close to parked cars

*Obey all traffic rules as cars do

*Ride single file when riding with friends

For more information, check out http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/bike_safety.html and www.cpsc.gov.  

Safe and happy riding!

STOMACH FLU ALERT

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Please help us keep our students and families healthy this winter by reading this letter and following the recommendations we have included below from the Illinois Department of Public Health.  These recommendations will help to reduce stomach flu illnesses in our community.

The Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis (stomach flu) in humans. This virus causes nausea, vomiting, and possible diarrhea, low grade temperature and body aches. The illness lasts about 3 days. Unfortunately, small children, medically fragile children and the elderly are more at risk for developing dehydration and requiring hospitalization due to this illness. 

This virus is very easily transmitted from person to person. This is a very fast moving virus and it only takes 12-48 hours to develop the illness after touching an infected person or eating contaminated food. It is not unusual for one person in a family to come down with this illness and for everyone else in the family to become ill as well.

Please help us keep our students, families and our community healthy.

Effective immediately, if your child is ill, you must call the health office attendance line and tell us in detail the reason for your child’s illness.  Please be specific about the symptoms.

If we do not hear from you and your child is absent, we will call you to find out why your child is not in attendance. We will also call you if you do not report your child’s symptoms when you call the attendance line.

We will be reporting all stomach flu outbreaks to the Cook County Department of Public Health.

Children with any of these symptoms: a  fever over 100 degrees, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea must stay home from school for 24 hours after their symptoms have ended, without the use of medication.  Your child will be sent home if they return to school too early.  Please remind your children to wash their hands with soap and water before and after eating and ask them not to share food at school.

Thank you for keeping our families healthy this year.

Robin Olson RN MSN ILCSN

Health Services Coordinator

East Maine School District 63 

The following guidelines can help prevent the spread of germs and keep your children  healthy.  Please share this information with them!

• WASH YOUR HANDS!!  This is very important to help prevent the spread of infection.  But it must be done properly.  Using soap and water, rub hands firmly for at least 20 seconds.  (Or enough time to sing Happy Birthday twice.)  Make sure to rub the front, back, in between fingers and wrists.  This should be done upon arrival to school, before eating, after recess, after using the bathroom and anytime someone coughs or sneezes into their hands.  You can also use hand sanitizer but it should not replace washing with soap and water.
• Try to cough or sneeze into a tissue, your sleeve or shoulder.  Tissues should be immediately thrown away.  Be sure to wash your hands!
• Avoid sharing drinks, water bottles and silverware.
• Frequently disinfect surfaces touched by multiple hands.
• Get vaccinated!!  It is not too early.  Vaccines protect against certain types of respiratory flu (nose, throat and chest).  They do not help with stomach flu.
• If your child is ill, please keep them home!  They must be fever free for at least 24 hours (without the use of medication) before returning to school.

 Thank you for helping to keep our children healthy!!

***IMPORTANT****IMPORTANT****IMPORTANT****IMPORTANT***IMPORTANT***

Please remember: For the protection of our school community, it is necessary to keep your child out of school for at least 24 hours after a fever (without the use of medication) or an episode of vomiting or diarrhea.  Your cooperation in keeping our school healthy is greatly appreciated.  Thank you!                 

Click here to access the District Health Service page