Nurses Call the Shots

Walk-a-Thon for the POOL fundraiser

2008-04-30T12:53:00.000-07:00

Okay everyone - it's that time of the year! This year the WALK-A-THON will be raising money for "OUR POOL". We need ONE and ALL to come and walk with us at the track Wednesday, May 13th - starting at 12:30 - 3:00. It's a dollar/or more to walk with us. Grandma's, Grandpa's, uncles, aunts, friends, neighbors, and all businesses are WELCOME to help us raise money!!!! Join us - if you have any questions, please call me!!

Thanks - Beth Gustafson, RN
Groton Area School Nurse

Fruit/Veggie Challenge is COMPLETE

2008-04-30T12:47:00.000-07:00

Congratulations students - the Fruit/Veggie Challenge is now complete. Please turn in your form to me by Wednesday, May 7th and I'll figure out the top three prizes for each grade. Remember - just because the challenge is over don't forget to eat those fruits/veggies!!! Remind Mom/Dad when you're at the grocery store to buy fresh fruits - that's the best!!!

Be Healthy and Happy - Beth Gustafson, RN
Groton Area School Nurse

Taming the SNACK MONSTER starts in March!!

2008-03-03T11:24:00.000-08:00

March is National Nutrition Month!! We are starting with "Taming the Snack Monster" - starting on Fridays!! We invite each child to bring a peice of fruit on Fridays and they will enjoy it about the last hour of class!! This week we will not have school on Thursday or Friday, so, please have your child bring their fruit snack on Wednesday!!

Bring a fruit on Fridays - Fridays/or the last day of the week!! Stayed tuned for upcoming events, one of which will be Health Fairs: for Kindergarten through 4th, 5th and 6th, and 7th and 8th grade. This will be an exciting time of learning!!

Remember: An apple a day keeps the doctor away!!

Be healthy and happy - Beth Gustafson, RN

Proper techniques of Handwashing - and GERMS!!

2008-01-31T12:46:00.000-08:00

WHAT'S GOING AROUND - What's Not!!

2008-01-31T12:30:00.000-08:00

Influenza A & B, Strep, Bronchitis, Mono, and Pink Eye

Influenza A has the following symptoms: Fever over 101F. Children with the flu tend to have even higher fevers: 103 - 105.
Chills/sweats Headache
Loss of appetite Dry Cough
Muscular aches/pains especially in your back, arms, and legs
Nasal congestion Fatigue/weakness
Diarrhea/vomiting - for kids not usually for adults

Initially, the flu may seem like a common cold, with a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. But, colds usually develop slowly, whereas the flu tends to come on suddenly. Usually you feel much worse with the flu.

So, if your child is complaining of not feeling well - please, take the time to check them over before sending them to school - if you have to give your child tylenol/motrin for a low grade temp - they should probably just stay at home!

Thanks - Beth Gustafson, RN - School Nurse

2nd Flu Shot now due!!

2007-12-18T12:42:00.000-08:00

Okay Parents - if your child got a flu shot on November 13th, 2007 and they were 8 years old or younger and it was the "FIRST" time getting the shot - they are now due for their 2nd booster shot. You can get the shot at your doctor's office, Brown County Health, or Day County Health.

If you have any questions - please give me a call at 397-2317.

Thanks - Beth Gustafson, RN
Groton Area School Nurse

Flu Shot Clinics - at the Elementary and the High School

2007-11-09T08:47:00.000-08:00

ELEMENTARY:
Flu shot clinic at the Elementary on Tuesday the 13th from 2:30 - 8:00 pm for 6th graders and below. Bring your child along to your conference - or come before or after and get them vaccinated. There is a $7 administration fee. Younger siblings that are not yet in school are also welcome!!

JH/HS:
The FLU clinic at the high school will be Friday, November 16th from 8:30 till around Noon. The 2007 Influenza Vaccination record form should be filled out, along with a check for $7 payable to Day County Community Health for the administration of the shot. We need these forms by Wednesday at the latest so we can get an estimate on how many are needed.

Once your child gets the shot they may or may not get a mild reaction - which could be: soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, fever, and/or aches. If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1 - 2 days.

Life-threatening allergic reactions from vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it is usually within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot!! If you have any other questions or concerns, please give me a call # 397-2317.

Thanks - Beth Gustafson, RN
Groton Area School Nurse

GIVE IT A TRY -- Vicks Vaporub for a cough!!!!

2007-10-18T10:42:00.000-07:00

Ok - this is not scientific or FDA approved, nor would it have to be, but hey it just might help!! Vicks is good for a lot of things, so they've added one more. If you have a child with a night time cough and you can't find anything to help - try VICKS!! Put the Vicks vaporub generously on the bottoms of both feet at bedtime - then cover with socks. The vicks is supposedly absorbed through the foot soles - and thus, absorbing in the vicks and soothing the child - the cough generally stops in about 5 minutes and lasts for several hours.

Scientists at the Canada Research council (who discovered it) aren't sure why. But hey, if it works - that's WONDERFUL!!!!

Let me know if you try this at home and what results you had!! Thanks - Beth!!

Healthy HALLOWEEN Treats

2007-10-03T12:25:00.000-07:00

Here are some healthy halloween treat ideas:

Pencil toppers Rubber balls Play tattoos Jacks
Hair bows Trail mix Yo - Yo's Stickers
Water guns Mini raisin boxes Granola bar Ritz bits - fun size
Pudding cups Toothbrush Party cups Jello cups
Trading cards Dried fruit Applesauce cups Pencils
Kazoos Juice boxes Bubbles Markers

Have a Happy - Healthy - HALLOWEEN - Beth Gustafson, RN
Groton Area School Nurse

1st grade Hearing Screening

2007-09-21T06:58:00.000-07:00

Parents - I just finished up the hearing screenings in 1st grade - they should of come home with a half sheet of paper with the results or will be bringing them home today!!

Next week Thursday, the Presentation Nursing Students, Dr. Margie Washnok, and myself will be doing more screenings - watch for those results to come home Thursday and/or Friday.

Have a good weekend - Beth Gustafson, RN
Groton Area School Nurse

SCREENINGS - September 27th, 2007

2007-09-10T08:14:00.000-07:00

Screenings are scheduled for Thursday, September 27th.

Vision: Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 5th
Physical Assessments: Kindergarten and 5th
Scoliosis: 5th grade boys and girls
Height & Weight: Kindergarten - 6th

Your child will bring home a half sheet of paper with the results - please ask your child for the paper. If your child needs to be rechecked - those are usually done 2 - 3 weeks later with results going home then.

Thanks - Beth Gustafson - Groton School Nurse

Signs & Symptoms of STREP THROAT

2007-09-10T07:38:00.000-07:00

A sore, scratchy throat is often the first sign - other signs and symptoms to look for are:
Throat pain
Difficulty swallowing
Red and swollen tonsils - sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
Swollen, tender lymph glands (nodes) in your neck
Fever
Headache
Rash
Stomachache and sometimes vomiting, especially in younger children
Call your doctor if: a sore throat without a cold or runny nose, a sore throat accompanied by tender, swollen lymph glands, a sore throat that lasts longer than 48 hours, or a fever higher than 103 F in older children; any fever lasting longer than 48 hours.

WHAT'S GOING AROUND

2007-09-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

Yes - September is coming in like a LION!! STUFF is going around!! We have a couple of cases of strep throat, nausea, and headaches. Hopefully, with the weather turning cooler the headaches will get better.

FYI: Your body is made up of about 80% of water - we need to drink at least 8 - 8oz glasses of water a day to keep hydrated. If you don't - headaches can develop!!

Attention Parents of Kindergartners

2007-09-06T14:02:00.000-07:00

2007-08 school year had parents running out to get a 2nd dose of varicella (chicken pox). The 2nd dose has to be at least 3 months from the first dose. As many of you are aware - some clinics are having a hard time keeping up with the increase in numbers. You may have to wait a little bit, but that's okay.

Welcome back from the school nurse!!

2007-09-06T13:35:00.000-07:00

Let's stay connected - when you what to know what's going around, what immunizations your child may need, or you want any information on a specific medical condition; this is the place to come to.