Notices, notices and more notices
(be sure to scroll down to see them all!).......
Peanut/Tree nuts Notice
from the desk of...
Nancy Plummer, RN
School Nurse Teacher
March 20, 2009
Dear Parent:
A case of head lice (pediculosis) has been reported in the Middle School.
Many children become infected with head lice each year, regardless of cleanliness or economic status. Although these insects cannot hop, jump, or fly, they are easily transmitted via head –to-head contact, or just the sharing of hats, combs, brushes, head bands, etc. It’s important that you caution your child about sharing any of those items. The head louse is a human parasite and cannot live on the body of a pet dog or cat.
Please examine your child’s hair and scalp daily for the next two weeks and on a weekly basis thereafter. Tiny bite marks on the scalp and neck may be present. Tiny whitish oval specks, similar in appearance to grains of sugar are the lice eggs (nits) adhering to the hair shafts about ¼” from the scalp.
There are many pediculicide shampoos available at your pharmacy. However, it is recommended that you contact your physician and follow his advice. Follow all the directions printed on the carton and bottle label. A special designed nit removal comb is packaged with the shampoos. A second treatment is recommended ten days after the initial treatment.
Please understand that there is no reason for you to be overly concerned. Just keep an eye on your child’s hair and the chances are very good that the condition will not appear. If you need more information on diagnosis or treatment, please contact me as soon as possible.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Nancy Plummer, RN
School Nurse-Teacher
From the desk of...
Nancy Plummer, RN
School Nurse Teacher
Date: January 12, 2009
Dear Parent:
I have scheduled scoliosis screening for Friday, February 6th and Monday, February 9th. I will be conducting the screening during your child’s physical education/health classes.
Students who have had a physical exam from March ’08 – present and the doctor documented the findings on the physical which has been handed into my office will not have the screening. Students who do not have documentation in my office that the screenings were completed by their physician will be given a notice regarding scoliosis screening. Documentation from their physician is needed in order to be excused from scoliosis screening. The documentation must be handed to me prior to the above dates.
The screenings are done individually and privately by the school nurse.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Nancy Plummer, RN, SNT
If you have any further questions please call me at 721-3400 press2. Fax: 721-3428
From the desk of...
Nancy Plummer, RN
School Nurse Teacher
Date: December 1, 2008
Dear Parent:
A few cases of head lice (pediculosis) have been reported in the Middle School. (all grades)
Many children become infected with head lice each year, regardless of cleanliness or economic status. Although these insects cannot hop, jump, or fly, they are easily transmitted via head –to-head contact, or just the sharing of hats, combs, brushes, head bands, etc. It’s important that you caution your child about sharing any of those items. The head louse is a human parasite and cannot live on the body of a pet dog or cat.
Please examine your child’s hair and scalp daily for the next two weeks and on a weekly basis thereafter. Tiny bite marks on the scalp and neck may be present. Tiny whitish oval specks, similar in appearance to grains of sugar are the lice eggs (nits) adhering to the hair shafts about ¼” from the scalp.
There are many pediculicide shampoos available at your pharmacy. However, it is recommended that you contact your physician and follow his advice. Follow all the directions printed on the carton and bottle label. A special designed nit removal comb is packaged with the shampoos. A second treatment is recommended ten days after the initial treatment.
Please understand that there is no reason for you to be overly concerned. Just keep an eye on your child’s hair and the chances are very good that the condition will not appear. If you need more information on diagnosis or treatment, please contact me as soon as possible.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Nancy Plummer, RN, SNT
From the desk of...
Nancy Plummer, RN
School Nurse Teacher
Date: October 27, 2008
Dear Parent:
A case of head lice (pediculosis) has been reported in the Middle School.
Many children become infected with head lice each year, regardless of cleanliness or economic status. Although these insects cannot hop, jump, or fly, they are easily transmitted via head –to-head contact, or just the sharing of hats, combs, brushes, head bands, etc. It’s important that you caution your child about sharing any of those items. The head louse is a human parasite and cannot live on the body of a pet dog or cat.
Please examine your child’s hair and scalp daily for the next two weeks and on a weekly basis thereafter. Tiny bite marks on the scalp and neck may be present. Tiny whitish oval specks, similar in appearance to grains of sugar are the lice eggs (nits) adhering to the hair shafts about ¼” from the scalp.
There are many pediculicide shampoos available at your pharmacy. However, it is recommended that you contact your physician and follow his advice. Follow all the directions printed on the carton and bottle label. A special designed nit removal comb is packaged with the shampoos. A second treatment is recommended ten days after the initial treatment.
Please understand that there is no reason for you to be overly concerned. Just keep an eye on your child’s hair and the chances are very good that the condition will not appear. If you need more information on diagnosis or treatment, please contact me as soon as possible.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Nancy Plummer, RN
School Nurse-Teacher
October 21, 2008
Dear Parents/Guardians,
In September, I sent you a letter about a new state law about food allergies in schools. Since then, I have learned that several students in Lincoln Middle School have severe allergies. The majority of these students are to Peanut/Tree nuts. These allergies are potentially life-threatening. That means that they cannot eat or even touch peanuts/tree nuts or foods made with peanuts/tree nuts. I have been in touch with the families of these students to find out what to do to keep them safe while they are at Lincoln Middle School.
Lincoln Middle School is now putting in place these steps to help limit these students’ exposure to these Risky Foods:
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Each classroom has designated desk/table areas that are peanut/tree nut free. |
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Peanuts, tree nuts, peanut butter or foods made with nuts will not be sold in the cafeteria. |
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Peanuts, tree nuts, peanut butter or foods made with nuts will not be sold anywhere in the school. |
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Special tables in the cafeteria will be clearly marked as Peanut/Tree nut-free. An additional table will also be labeled Dairy/Peanut/Tree nut-free for those students who also have a dairy allergy. Please make sure that if your child brings any peanuts, tree nuts, peanut butter or foods made with nuts in his/her lunch, that he/she sits at the right table. If your child does not have any peanuts, tree nuts, peanut butter or foods make with nuts then he/she may sit at the Peanut/Tree nut free table. Dairy products such as milk, yogurt etc. will not be allowed at the Dairy/Peanut/ Tree nut-free table. |
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Signs have been posted at all entrances to the school and cafeteria. |
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Students should wash their hands with soap and water after eating Risky foods after lunch. |
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LMS will not be doing any classroom projects that involve peanut butter or peanut shells (art projects). Please do not send any of these projects into the classroom with your child. |
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It is almost impossible to keep all traces of peanuts/tree nuts out of foods that you make at home. A trace is all it takes to trigger an allergic reaction. We are therefore limiting the foods sent in to school to the attached list. (Cookies and candy should only be sent for special occasions) |
Thank you for your cooperation in this very serious matter.
Any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Nancy Plummer, RN
School Nurse Teacher
September 22, 2008
Dear Parent or Guardian:
_____A number of students at our school have strep throat.
_____Your child may have been exposed to strep throat.
Please take these precautions:
Watch your child for signs of a sore throat and other signs of strep (headache, fever, stomachache, swollen and tender neck glands).
If your child develops a sore throat and any of these other signs, please see your health care provider, tell her or him that other children in the school have strep, and ask to have your child tested for strep throat. If strep is found your child should receive treatment.
INFORMATION ABOUT STREP THROAT:
What is strep throat?
Strep throat is a sore throat caused by streptococcus bacteria that are passed around through nose and mouth droplets. It is very common in children. Most sore throats, however, are caused by viruses and are not treated with antibiotics.
Why is it important that your child receive treatment?
There are three main reasons:
Treatment reduces spread, If not treated or not treated long enough; your child may continue to spread the infection to other members of your family or to other children.
Treatment with antibiotics can usually prevent rheumatic fever. Rarely, some children with strep throat later develop rheumatic fever abnormalities of the heart valves and inflammation of the joints.
Treatment will also prevent other rare, but possible dangerous, complications.
When can your child come back to school?
Children with strep infections may return to school after taking medicine for at least 24 hours and the fever is gone.
What should you do to prevent the spread of strep throat?
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Thoroughly wash your hands and your child’s hands after wiping noses and before eating or preparing food. |
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Wash dishes carefully in hot, soapy water or dishwasher. |
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Do not allow the sharing of food or allow children to share cups, spoons, or toys that are put into the mouth. |
If you have any questions or concerns please call Mrs. Plummer, RN SNT
Date: September 22, 2008
Dear Parent:
A case of head lice (pediculosis) has been reported in the Middle School.
Many children become infected with head lice each year, regardless of cleanliness or economic status. Although these insects cannot hop, jump, or fly, they are easily transmitted via head –to-head contact, or just the sharing of hats, combs, brushes, head bands, etc. It’s important that you caution your child about sharing any of those items. The head louse is a human parasite and cannot live on the body of a pet dog or cat.
Please examine your child’s hair and scalp daily for the next two weeks and on a weekly basis thereafter. Tiny bite marks on the scalp and neck may be present. Tiny whitish oval specks, similar in appearance to grains of sugar are the lice eggs (nits) adhering to the hair shafts about ¼” from the scalp.
There are many pediculicide shampoos available at your pharmacy. However, it is recommended that you contact your physician and follow his advice. Follow all the directions printed on the carton and bottle label. A special designed nit removal comb is packaged with the shampoos. A second treatment is recommended ten days after the initial treatment.
Please understand that there is no reason for you to be overly concerned. Just keep an eye on your child’s hair and the chances are very good that the condition will not appear. If you need more information on diagnosis or treatment, please contact me as soon as possible.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Nancy Plummer, RN
School Nurse-Teacher
A very important message from the desk of the Principal
May 20, 2008
Dear Parents/Guardians:
It seems that the latest trend is for some middle school students to purchase high energy soft drinks, and to drink a few of them before school. These drinks contain extremely high caffeine content and act as a stimulant. Some of the more popular drinks are:
Red Bull
Monster
Full Throttle
Amp
XS
Redline
Rockstar
Spark
And numerous others
Some experts say that teens don’t know how much caffeine they are drinking, and many teenagers don’t know how easy it is to become dependent on the stimulant. According to a Johns Hopkins University study, if a teenager uses an energy drink for three to five days in a row and then suddenly quits, they will be thrown into withdrawal. These symptoms can include; headaches, mood swings, and trouble concentrating. Some teens are more sensitive to stimulants, and can get a bad case of the jitters from very little caffeine.
The Administrative Team will be speaking to your children regarding the use of these drinks, and the fact that we do not want them in our school. We have noticed that many students drink these before entering the building in the morning. We will take them away if seen. Please have a talk with your children and inform them of the dangers of these drinks on teens. We appreciate your support regarding this dangerous new trend.
Sincerely,
Bruce J. Macksoud
Principal
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE NURSE!!!!
Date: September 2, 2008
Dear Parents,
Food allergies are a major problem in this country. They claim over 200 lives and cause over 30,000 emergence room visits each year, nationwide. A new state law was passed this summer to deal with this problem. The new law basically says that schools have to do whatever is needed to protect the lives and safety of students who have a food allergy, especially to peanuts or tree-nuts (almonds, walnuts, etc.). Health and safety have always been top priorities for Lincoln Middle School, so we are taking this very seriously.
I will now be creating an Individual Health Care Plan (IHCP) and an Emergency Health Care Plan (EHCP) for each student who has a food allergy. These plans will lay out exactly what everyone in the Lincoln Middle School community has to do to keep those students safe.
If you have a child in school with an allergy to any food, please make sure to let me know this as soon as possible. I will then contact you to start creating the IHCP and EHCP with you, your child’s health care provider, and your child (If appropriate). We will do our best to address your concerns and meet all of your child’s needs.
If your child does not have a food allergy, please know that, as soon as I can, I will send out some simple guideline. I trust that you understand how serious this is. Please do everything you can to follow these guidelines. We all want students at Lincoln Middle School to be safe.
If you have any questions or concerns, Please contact me any time.
I wish you and your family a safe and healthy school year.
Sincerely,
Nancy Plummer, RN
School Nurse Teacher
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE NURSE!!!!
CLICK HERE FOR THE RHODE ISLAND PHYSICAL
Date: January 15, 2008
Dear Parent/Guardian:
On, Thursday, January 31st & Friday, February 1st your child’s Physical Education class will have scoliosis screening (Regulation 12.1.1) unless satisfactory evidence (primary care provider-PCP) is presented to the school nurse that the same screening has been completed within the preceding six (6) months.
If you are submitting evidence and you do not want your child screened, please
sign below and return to school. If the form is NOT returned signed your child will
have the required scoliosis/vision screenings.
Parent/Guardian Signature: __________________________
Evidence attached from physician (PCP) for scoliosis: _____
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office.
Sincerely,
Nancy Plummer, RN
January, 2008
Dear Parent/Guardian:
I would like to get a head start on informing you of the Lincoln Middle School requirements for incoming 7th graders. The first and most important is that the RI Department of Health has immunization and physical exam requirements (see pink form). As you can see these requirements should be started and completed by September 9, 2009. Therefore, it would be a good time to call your child’s physician to see if he/she has all the immunizations needed. If not, an appointment should be scheduled with his/her physician.
A physical exam is also required. Physicals that are acceptable need to be dated 8/07-3/09. Any student who does not turn in a physical by 3/31/09 will be seen by the school physician in order to meet the requirement of the state. (A physical form is enclosed for your convenience but any form from your child’s physician will be accepted, or you can click on the links provided to download and print the RI state form.)
If your child plans on trying-out for interscholastic sports, the policy at LMS is that each student has an updated physical (within one year of the sport) or medical clearance from his/her physician. Every year we have some very disappointed students who cannot try out because they do not have an updated physical form on file in the nurse’s office.
The RI Department of Health requires that your physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or other licensed practitioner date and sign any immunization/physical form. If they do not have a date or signature they will be returned to you for proper documentation.
PLEASE SEND IMMUNIZATIONS/PHYSICAL FORMS TO ABOVE ADDRESS. CLICK HERE FOR THE RHODE ISLAND PHYSICAL FORM
Thank you for your cooperation. Any questions please feel free to call me at school.
Sincerely yours,
Nancy Plummer, RN
School Nurse-Teacher
REMINDER!! REMINDER!! REMINDER!!
Reminder!! Reminder!! Reminder!!
Important Message to Parents with Children Entering 7th Grade
Immunization Requirements for
All Children Entering 7th Grade
In accordance with the Rhode Island Department of Health Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Immunization and Testing for Communicable Diseases (R23-1-IMM), all children entering the 7th grade are required to have the following immunizations:
Ø Booster dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine, if it has been 5 years or more since the last dose of diphtheria-tetanus containing vaccine.
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Ø Four (4) doses of Polio vaccine |
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Ø Two (2) doses of MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) |
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Ø Three (3) doses of Hepatitis B vaccine. |
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Ø Two (2) doses of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine received or a statement signed by your child’s doctor stating that your child has a history of chickenpox disease. |
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Ø One (1) dose of Meningococcal conjugate (Meningitis) vaccine |
All children entering 7th grade are required to be up-to-date on their immunizations as well as have a physical exam. This is the perfect opportunity to review your child’s immunizations with the doctor to ensure your child is protected from all vaccine-preventable diseases.
Important Reminder ABOUT FLU VACCINATION:
An annual Influenza (flu) vaccination is now recommended for all children 6 months-18 years of age to prevent the spread of flu to others in daycare, preschool and school settings as well as at home and in the community. Influenza vaccine is available from October through April each year. Don’t forget to ask your doctor about flu vaccine.
*PLEASE SEND ALL INFORMATION TO:
Lincoln Middle School
152 Jenkes Hill Rd.
Lincoln, RI 02865
Attn: Nancy Plummer, RN CLICK HERE FOR THE RHODE ISLAND PHYSICAL FORM
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