Primary School Nurse Newsletter

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November is National Diabetes Month. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases wants everyone to learn about diabetes, find resources, and raise awareness about its effects on communities. They provide tools for managing prediabetes and preventing diabetes. The Texas Department of State Health Services also offers information and resources for families with children living with diabetes in Texas.

Please see below regarding Scoliosis Screenings for your student. Keep an eye out on your school's website and social media pages for your particular campus date and details.

Flu Season is upon us! Please follow proper handwashing and respiratory etiquette to help prevent the spread of unwanted germs.

Per policy, students are NOT sent home if lice is discovered, however, students are checked for live lice before re-admission. If lice is discovered on your student, or a student in the same classroom, you will be notified. Here are some important things to know about lice:

• Head Lice does not discriminate against any socio-economic group or race, and is not related to bad health or hygiene habits.
• Head lice DO NOT come from animals or pets, and cannot survive on a nonhuman host Itching of the scalp is usually the first noticeable sign. Transmission occurs through direct head to head contact or contact with personal items (hats, scarves, coats, brushes or combs).
• If lice is discovered: Check all family members and treat all those with lice with appropriate medicated shampoo (consult a physician or pharmacist). REMOVE THE NITS (eggs). Some may not be killed by the shampoo and will hatch into new lice. Wash clothing and bed linens in hot water at time of treatment to prevent re-infestation. Soak combs, brushes, and hair accessories that have been used recently with hot water. Pillows, comforters, and stuffed toys can be dried on high heat for 20 minutes or placed in a sealed plastic bag for 2 weeks. Vacuum rugs and furniture.

Prevent Blindness Texas (PBT) created a Back-to-School Toolkit to help families, caregivers, and health professionals understand children’s vision and its importance in education. PBT has certified external instructors who can work with your district’s health services department to provide state vision screening certification to school nurses, parents, and community volunteers. PBT offers free eye exams and/or eyeglasses for qualifying students and their families. The PBT application, available in English and Spanish, must be completed by the parent/guardian and submitted by the school or parent/guardian via email at info@pbtexas.org. For more information, visit the PBT Back-to-School webpages.

The SWISD Health Services department looks forward to the 2024-25 school year and caring for student(s). Updated physician’s orders are REQUIRED each school year to provide physician prescribed health services to students. SWISD staff is not permitted to administer medications or medical procedures without updated physician’s orders.

Please send your students to school with an extra set of clothing. Providing extra clothing will be extremely helpful when students have accidents, spills, or damage to clothing

University Health and Southwest ISD are excited to have a School-Based Telehealth Program that serves our students and staff at Southwest ISD. Through this program, medical exams are provided remotely, connecting our students in the school nurse’s office to a University Health Board Certified Healthcare Provider. This partnership with University Health takes their already offered telehealth video visits one step further. With the use of advanced handheld technology, this program allows the provider to examine, diagnose, and treat common conditions related to the student’s ears, lungs, heart, throat, skin, abdomen, and temperature — all without being in the same room. This is a convenient and accessible option for your child or for yourself to be seen by an experienced provider right from a SWISD school campus.

For more information, click here.