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Nurse News
March 2024
Dear Students, Staff, and Families,
Hello Panthers!
Spring is on its way! There are so many things to look forward to as the weather improves! Scroll through this months newsletter for great information about your health as well as some other good community info.
We hope that the information in this newsletter is useful. We’d love to hear from you if you have any feedback. Feel free to email us at any time.
Please remember there is an RN in the District daily. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. You can find more health related information on the school website. Go to Panthernet.net ,departments and select School Nurse.
Happy St Patricks Day! We hope March finds you blessed and healthy!
Jen and Tracie
St Patrick's Day Fun in the Kitchen!
MI Backpack Home Tests
Spring Break Covid Tests
The 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 link to request Binax-Now Covid19 rapid test kits to be sent home prior to Spring Break. Test kits will be sent home with the oldest child in your family The deadline for requesting at-home test kits is Wednesday, March 18th. We will send the requested test kits home with your oldest student on Monday, March 18th and Friday, March 22nd.
Measles in Michigan
First Case of Measles in Michigan since 2019
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has confirmed a case of measles in an Oakland County child associated with international travel. This is the first confirmed case of measles in the state since 2019. MDHHS is recommending unvaccinated individuals ages 1 year and older receive the measles vaccination to protect themselves and those around them.
MDHHS is working closely with the Oakland County Health Division on this case, and at this time there are not thought to be additional exposures outside of the household based on when symptoms began.
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact, and through the air.
The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include:
- High fever (may spike to over 104˚F).
- Cough.
- Runny nose.
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis).
- Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) two to three days after symptoms begin.
- A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin.
If symptoms develop, residents are urged to not visit their doctor or emergency room unless they have called ahead so facilities can take precautions to prevent exposure to other individuals.
With the risk for community spread, parents are encouraged to make sure their children are up to date on all their childhood immunizations, including the measles vaccine. Ninety percent of unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to measles will become infected. About one in five people who get measles will be hospitalized. In addition to Michigan’s case, 35 measles cases have been reported in 2024 in 15 other states to date.
For more information visit the CDC website below.
There is a National Blood Shortage Consider Donating
Staff and Students Can Give Blood on March 7th
The National Honor Society will host a Blood Drive at Stockbridge High School on March 7th from 9:00am to 2:00 pm. Many staff and students are signed up to give. If you want to donate blood there are drives happening all of the time. Use the link below to find a blood drive that's convenient for you.
Community Members can Find a Blood Drive anytime.
March is Reading Month!
Know Your Community Resources
Stockbridge Community Outreach
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.
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
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