NEWS FROM NURSE JULIE
We’re on the downhill slope and into the last quarter of school. I thought I would share a couple friendly reminders to help keep kids healthy and in class learning as much as possible to help our children to finish strong!
Sleep
A common excuse to see the nurse at school is the general complaint that they don’t ‘feel well.’ Often, it is because they didn’t get good or restful sleep due to getting up early or going to bed late. It is difficult for children to focus and be attentive in class when they are tired. Studies show that children aged 6-12 require 9 to 12 hours of sleep every day and that 60% of school-aged kids are not meeting this recommendation. Poor sleep is known to increase chronic illness and impact mental health, increase poor or difficult behaviors, and decrease concentration in school. Ways to improve your child’s opportunity for a restful night of sleep may include:
- An early, non-negotiable bedtime
- A one-hour tech-free buffer before bedtime
- Remove electronics and similar distractions from bedrooms
- Encourage kids to do homework and similar activities at a table rather than their bed (Save the bed sleeping)
- Be a good example and make it a family effort to get good, restful sleep
Constipation and Tummy Aches
A common visit to the school nurse is a stomachache. And while big emotions, hunger and illness can cause stomach troubles, constipation is a frequent and usually preventable cause. Constipation is a common issue with school-aged children, especially with those who are new to “going to school” like PreK or Kindergarteners. It can be stressful for young children to think about pooping in a public place like a school restroom with other children in the stall next door. Many will avoid pooping at school and wait until they are home, but often don’t realize that the “need” to go has left – they become distracted or busy with play – and soon they forget. When children put off pooping for a ‘better’ time, it can lead to constipation which can cause painful or difficult bowel movements… which causes them to avoid pooping due to the time it takes or the discomfort they fear.
Children with constipation can feel heavy or tight in their stomachs, experience cramping, and even have nausea and vomiting due to blockage in their bowels. It is helpful to monitor or ask about your child’s poop if you suspect that they have frequent stomachaches where constipation might be the issue.
Ask. Normal bowel movements should be happening every day – or every other day. One of the first questions I ask kids with “tummy troubles” is “Did you poop today?” If they say yes, I follow up with questions about the stool. Was it hard or did it hurt to poop? Was it a lot or a little? I use a Bristol Stool Chart and have them show which is most like their last poop.
If your child has worrisome symptoms like severe pain, or rectal bleeding call your child’s care provider for guidance. If the child has mild symptoms and you suspect constipation you can try one of the following treatments, especially if the child has been constipated for a short time:
- · 4-6 oz. of fruit juice once or twice daily. Certain fruit juices (prune, apple, or pear)
- · Hydrate. At least 32 ounces of water or non-milk liquids per day
- · Offer a well-balanced diet including whole grain foods, fruits, and veggies
- Do not force these foods, rather praise them for trying new things and encourage them to eat them frequently. It generally takes trying a new food 8-10 times before giving up.
- · Limit constipating foods like cow’s milk, yogurt, cheese and ice cream
- · Fiber supplements or laxatives may be recommended by your healthcare provider – It is best to ask them for dosing recommendations!
- · Positioning can be helpful. Use a stool or step to replicate a “squatting” position
- · Schedule time to poop about 30 minutes after breakfast and/or dinner. This is the most natural time to “go” and can become a normal non-school time for BMs to ease anxiety.
When to Seek Help
Concerning signs may include severe pain or bleeding with constipation. In addition, call your care provider if you notice concerning weight loss, blood in the stool, repeated or ongoing constipation, pain with bowel movements, or a swollen belly/vomiting related to constipation.
I hope this information is helpful. Anytime you have questions or are interested in more resources - I am here to help!
Thank you for helping us keep your kids in class and ready to learn!
Sincerely,
Julie Craft DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Ptarmigan School Nurse
907-742-0417
BOOKSHELF BULLETIN
Ptarmigan Families,
National Read Across America Day –
Each year, National Read Across America Day is celebrated on March 2nd, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. The annual event is part of Read Across America, an initiative on reading created by the NEA. Wonderful ways to inspire reading include:
-Keep books everywhere you spend time. Make them easily accessible.
-Visit the public library often. Knowing how to use the library and learning the benefits fosters a love of reading as well as a sincere appreciation for the services libraries can provide.
-Read to your children. No matter their age, read aloud strengthens vocabulary and language skills.
-Have your child choose a book to read to you.
Where can you find books for Read Across America Day?
You can find books at our school library, public libraries, bookstores, and online digital books. Make sure to check out SORA through your ASD clever account for access to free digital books.
IditaRead Challenge –
Our school is participating in the IditaRead. An IditaRead is a project that encourages individuals to read. Reading goals are set up according to learner’s needs. An Iditarod Trail map is used to chart the readers progress – reading from checkpoint to checkpoint, from Anchorage to Nome. Checkpoints are reached by meeting the goal of reading a number of minutes, pages, or a book for each checkpoint. Younger students can accumulate miles by having an adult read to them. Your child may checkout books to read to accumulate miles for their progress during their library class or open library.
Iditarod 2024 –
The ceremonial start of the Iditarod is March 2, 2024 @ 10:00 AM in downtown Anchorage.
https://iditarod.com/race/2024/mushers/ Here is a website with information on the mushers, dog care, checkpoints, race maps and general information.
We have many Iditarod books in the library students may check out.
Mrs. Alyson Giammalva
Teacher-Librarian
PE with Mr. G
Join Ptarmigan’s Kids Heart Challenge Team TODAY!
Ptarmigan Elementary's Kids Heart Challenge program has kicked off! We are proud to support the American Association! Students will learn how to keep their hearts happy and healthy through physical and mental wellbeing, while helping others with special hearts by raising lifesaving donations. Our goal is to have 100% of our school families join the team and learn Hands Only CPR through Finn’s Mission.
- REGISTER at www.heart.org/schools or download the Kids Heart Challenge App for Apple orAndroid
- COMPLETE FINN’S MISSION in your HQ to learn Hands-Only CPR, how to spot a stroke F.A.S.T., and how you can help kids with special hearts!
We can't wait to see which of our Timberwolves are the top Fundraisers!! Remember that the top three Fundraisers will get to toss a pie at our PE teacher, Mr. Garner!!
Thank you for supporting our school and this lifesaving program!
"Notes" from the Ptarmigan Music Room
Music In Our Schools Month® is in March! Let’s celebrate all the wonderful ways that music is in our lives.
Imagine a video game, movie, TV Show or just driving down the road without music. Music powers our lives and is everywhere. However, music education is so much more than just appreciating music! It studies the components, explores ways to be creative with it, gives students opportunities to learn about other cultures, is mathematical, is historical and is the first foreign language many students learn. Music vocabulary in Italian such as tempo, presto, andante, pianissimo, forte, and crescendo.
Music In Our Schools Month® was created to raise awareness of the lasting positive impact of music education on the academic, personal, and professional growth of our students.
Music education shapes the way our students understand themselves and the world around them, allowing for a deep engagement with learning and Music In Our Schools Month® reminds us that school is where all children should have access to music.
During March, feel free to pop into your student’s music class and see what they are learning. Fifth graders and third graders are playing the ukulele. Fourth graders are working on the recorder. Second grade is working on “Mallet Madness”, a unit that focuses on playing mallet instruments and drumming. Our youngest musicians continue to sing many different types of songs from different cultures and are exploring rhythm reading on percussive instruments.
There are a lot of musical performances during this Music In Our Schools Month® at Ptarmigan. The March Awards assemblies on Friday the 22nd will highlight our kindergarten and fourth grade students as they sing for their classmates and families. We also have a choir performance on March 27th “Lighten Up” a musical comedy full of jokes, tongue twisters and silly songs. The Ptarmigan Choir can’t wait to share this show of laughter with you all. There is also a musical concert on March 20th by the Army Band Quintet for third-fifth graders to attend.
I hope you can come out and celebrate your students' hard work and enjoy some musical performances. Lots of rehearsals and preparation happen to create these performance opportunities. A Big “Thank You” to all the staff and administration at Ptarmigan that support and encourage Music In Our Schools.
Mrs. Benton
Classroom Music Specialist
