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Nurse News
December 2023
Dear Students, Staff, and Families,
Seasons Greetings!
December has come so quickly and we are approaching a very busy time of year. Family gatherings, shopping trips, Class parties, etc. So many activities to keep in mind this holiday season when thinking about your personal health.
Please scroll through the newsletter for exciting news, great information, opportunities to share awareness to staying healthy as the days get chillier.
As always, we look forward to seeing our students daily and providing healthcare needs as needed. Please remember there is an RN in district daily and if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out. You can also find more nursing information on the school website. Please go to Panthernet.net, go to departments and select School Nurse.
Let's continue Have an amazing year!!!
Jen and Tracie
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has made a limited number of free, at-home COVID antigen tests available to students in Michigan’s schools. The “MI Backpack Home Tests” is a voluntary program offered by MDHHS for students, educators, staff and their families that want an extra layer of protection against COVID-19.
Please use this form to request Binax-Now Covid19 rapid test kits to be sent home prior to Winter break. Test kits will be sent home with the oldest child in your family on Thursday, December 21st, 2023 prior to Winter Break.
As the weeks approach towards the end of the year please consider food safety as a high priority to staying well. Gathering friends and family is fun, but beware of uninvited party guests. Foodborne germs can crash your buffet and make people sick with food poisoning. When cooking, preparing, or serving food for large groups, follow these steps to keep food safe.
- Keep it Clean- Wash your hands and working surfaces. Use clean dishes and utensils
- Separate Raw Meat From Other Foods- Separate raw meat, chicken and other poultry, seafood, and eggs from foods that won’t be cooked before eating, such as fruit, salad greens, deli salads, and bread.
Cook to a Safe Temperature- Use a food thermometer to make sure foods are cooked to an internal temperature hot enough to kill germs. Check this chart for safe internal temperatures.
Serve Foods Safely- Keep hot foods hot at 140°F or warmer. Keep cold foods cold at 40°F or below.
The Two-Hour Rule- Some foods will quickly become unsafe to eat if not refrigerated or frozen. Throw away any of these perishable foods that have been left out for 2 hours or more.
Store and Reheat Leftovers the Right Way- Divide leftovers into smaller portions or pieces for faster cooling, place in shallow containers, and refrigerate or freeze.
Did you Know December is National Seasonal Depression Awareness Month?
It is estimated that millions of Americans experience SAD, although many may not know they have this common disorder. In most cases, SAD begins in young adulthood.
SAD occurs much more often in women than in men. Winter-pattern SAD also occurs more often than summer-pattern SAD. Therefore, SAD is more common in people living farther north, where there are shorter daylight hours in the winter. For example, people in Alaska or New England are more likely to develop SAD than people in Texas or Florida.
SAD is more common in people with depression or bipolar disorder, especially bipolar II disorder, which involves repeated depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes (less severe than the typical manic episodes of bipolar I disorder). Additionally, people with SAD tend to have other mental disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, eating disorder, anxiety disorder, or panic disorder. Learn more about these disorders.
SAD sometimes runs in families and may be more common in people who have relatives with other mental illnesses, such as depression or schizophrenia.
For More information click the link: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder#part_6696
Fun for the kids
Who We Serve
Stockbridge Community Outreach Association was established in the early 1980’s as a food pantry, crisis and referral center for the residents of Stockbridge Community School District. Many of our food programs require no registration and are offered to anyone who needs food.
Those needing help with utilities, rent, prescription costs or other basic needs can register as a client with Outreach. To become a client, Outreach needs proof of residency in the district and proof that income is less than 200% of the federal poverty level. Our clothing room is free to anyone—no registration required!
305 W. Elizabeth St, back parking lot off Cherry St.
(Old Middle School, Door #20)
Rooms 120 & 121
Stockbridge, MI 49285
Clothing Room- Outreach operates a free clothing and small household goods room where anyone is welcome to shop during our open hours
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Addressing Food Insecurity Throughout Stockbridge Community School District
Outreach is a non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to helping those in need. We are particularly focused on getting food to those who need it. Our Tide Me Over program sends home a bag of food each week to students in Preschool through 12th grade who sign up to participate. We partner with the Greater Lansing Food Bank to offer weekly bags of produce and more to anyone who gets in line on Wednesdays between 1-3pm in the parking lot outside our office in Stockbridge. On the second Monday each month in the Jeruel Baptist Church parking lot in Munith, South Michigan Food Bank delivers boxes of prepacked produce, dairy, bread and protein for our Fresh Food Distribution open to anyone who pulls up between 4-5pm. We also partner with Capital Area Community Services to connect those who qualify with the government commodities program. Outreach clients are also able to shop our pantry once per month to fill their own shelves with meat, canned goods and hygiene products.
Tips for What you can do to Stay Well This Winter
Warm and Cozy Recipes
The Stockbridge Wellness Center
One Big Connection (events in our 5 healthy towns)
SRSLY Stockbridge
Capital Area District Library
Visit the Stockbridge District Library for Resources and Events
200 Wood Street
P.O. Box 245
Stockbridge, Michigan 49285
517.851.7810
Mon: 10a.m. - 6p.m.
Tues: 10a.m. - 6p.m.
Wed: 10a.m. - 7p.m.
Thur: 10a.m. - 6p.m.
Fri: 10a.m. - 6p.m.
Sat: 10a.m. - 4p.m.
Health Department Information
According to the Department of Health and Human Services regulations, all students must meet the immunization requirements set by the State of Michigan for attendance at school in order to enroll or attend.
There are three circumstances in which a required vaccination may be waived or delayed:
- A valid medical contraindication exists to receive the vaccine. The child’s physician must certify the contraindication in writing.
- The parents hold religious or philosophical beliefs against receiving a vaccination. Completion of the non medical waiver process through your local health department is required.
- The child has received at least one dose of each immunizing agent and the next dose(s) are not due yet.
For more information about immunizations contact your local health department.
Ingham County Community Mental Health
812 Jolly Rd Lansing MI 48910
517-346-8200
Jackson County Community Mental Health, Lifeways
1200 N W Ave Jackson MI 49202
1-800-284-8288
Livingston County Community Mental Health Services
2280 E Grand River Ave, Howell MI 48843
517-546-4126
Washtenaw County Community Mental Health
555 Towner Ypsilanti, MI 48198
734-544-3035
Go Panthers
Jennifer Matthews, a Registered Nurse since 2011, has worked as community nurse for the last 8 years, Also has had an active role as a volunteer within the Jackson county foster care system. This included fostering 10 children in her home. Jen has a true passion for helping others realize their full potential, and helping individuals find their voice in regards to their health and the healthcare system. Jennifer can be found primarily at the Jr/SR High school, but you will see her floating around Smith and Heritage, as she is the district's full time RN.
Tracie Lentz, a Registered Nurse since 2011, works at the University of Michigan Hospital in the Adult Surgical ICU. Tracie has also worked at stockbridge schools off and on over the last 5 years providing nursing support. She has been an active member of the Panther Cubs PTO since 2016 and thrives on seeing the school community flourish. Tracie is employed part time and is seen mostly at Smith and Heritage schools. She does go to the Jr/Sr High school when needed.
Email: Jennifer Matthews matthewsj@panthernet.net
Tracie Lentz lentzt@panthernet.net
Website: panthernet.net
Location: 100 Price Road, Stockbridge, MI, USA
Phone: Jennifer 517-851-7770 6317