Health Office Happenings

Hello APS Families,

On behalf of the APS Elementary School Nurses, we are excited to share our February newsletter with you. Each month we will share health information, APS health office happenings, useful links, and other important information that you need to know.

As a reminder, the SNAP Health Portal is intended to be the primary communication tool between school nurses and families. Families will receive information from nurses related to health office visits and student needs, and families can upload physicals, doctors notes, update health information, and approve OTC medications. Please be sure to keep an eye out for messages from the school nurse and to log into the health portal if you have not already done so. If you need help logging in, please contact your school nurse.

Lastly, as the days start to get colder, children should be dressed to be comfortable to be outside for 20 minutes. Jackets, hats, and gloves/mittens are recommended. If your family is in need of winter clothing, please reach out to your student's school nurse. There are lots of resources available!

In good health,

The APS Elementary Nurse Team

Levels of respiratory illness continue to be high. Influenza (flu) and the common cold are in the lead, followed by COVID-19 and RSV. Although it appears that we may be reaching peak winter illness season, there are still many people who are sick and are seeking medical attention.

Norovirus (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever) outbreaks are also unusually high so far this year. Norovirus is mostly spread on contaminated surfaces and is highly contagious. Norovirus is hard to kill; hand washing is more effective than hand sanitizer. Also, only bleach-based cleaning products will kill norovirus on surfaces.

We continue to encourage all APS community members to do their part in monitoring for symptoms, following the illness guidelines, and staying home from school when sick.

If your child has a life threatening allergy and gets breakfast or lunch at school, it is VERY important that you review the menu selection each day and make a plan with your child as to which options are safe for them. As a reminder, food served at APS is nut free, but may contain other allergens. The elementary lunch menu can be viewed HERE.

During the month of February, we recognize the importance of good cardiovascular health, and living a heart-healthy life.

In the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death for adults (both men and women), with high blood pressure being the leading cause of heart disease. In children, congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect, affecting approximately 1 in 120 newborns each year in the US. Approximately 1 in 7 children will have high blood pressure.

Although heart disease can be genetic, it is also hugely impacted by lifestyle choices. We can all take simple steps in our lives to help minimize our risk. See some ideas below:

• Maintain a healthy diet - Avoid foods that are high in fats and salt. Choose lean meats, whole grains, and fresh produce.

• Daily exercise - Children need approximately 60 minutes of exercise a day. Playing outside, going for a family walk, or taking an exercise class are great ways to achieve this.

• Maintain good dental hygiene - Healthy teeth and gums can help prevent heart disease!

• Older children and adults - take a CPR class to learn life-saving skills!

Feeding Tube Awareness Week aims to normalize the reality of receiving nutrition in different ways. Feeding tubes can be used for a variety of reasons, often as a long-term (or short-term) solution for people who are unable to consume food orally due to medical conditions or disabilities. It is estimated that 438,000 people in the U.S. (children and adults) are managing tube feeding at home, including members of the Arlington community! Below are some shareable facts from the Oley Foundation:

• Tube feeding is nutrition administered directly into the stomach or intestine through a tube. It may include carbohydrates, proteins, fat, minerals, electrolytes, vitamins, and trace elements for people who cannot eat or absorb enough nutrition from food taken by mouth.

• Feeding tubes can be placed through the nose, mouth, or abdomen.

• People can live well on tube feeding for as long as it is needed. Sometimes, tube feeding is used for a short time, then decreased, or stopped when the person begins to eat enough by mouth. Other people receive tube feeding at home for their whole lives.

• Someone on a feeding tube can still feel the sensations of hunger and fullness.

• People with feeding tubes can still be active. Some carry a backpack that contains their feeding pump, so they can receive nutrition while doing the things they enjoy!

• Some people with feeding tubes can eat by mouth.

There are times when a student should remain at home for their own welfare and the protection of other students. Your student should remain at home if they have:

• Uncontrollable and/or productive cough
• Fever over 100.4 degrees fahrenheit within past 24 hours
• Vomiting or diarrhea within past 24 hours
• Sore throat and swollen glands
• Undiagnosed rash or skin eruptions
• Earache, severe headache or drainage from eyes

Students should remain home for 24 hours after an acute illness or after starting antibiotics for a diagnosed infection.

They should also be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc).

These absences can be excused with a note from a student's health care provider.

APS Nursing and Health Services Forms and Documents

APS Nurse Staff Directory

Medication Permission/Order Form

Nutrition and Wellness Policy

SNAP Health Portal