Archive for August, 2009

Parents of Texas school-aged children no longer have to worry about the nutritional value of what’s on the school lunch menu. The strict Texas Public School Nutrition Policy has phased in certain aspects over the past few years but recently went into full effect.

What does this entail for elementary, middle and high school students? For starters, the elimination of deep-fat frying foods – no more deep-fried anything, period. Portions may not exceed 3 ounces and may be purchased only one serving at a time. Still hungry and want a second serving? To the back of the line you go. Instead of white rice students are now being served brown rice. Vending machines stocked full of candy and soda will no longer be accessible during the school day.

“I think it’s good that they’re not selling the candy, the cookies and all the junk food, so many of the kids would put it on their plate, and it would be the first thing they’d eat every day,” said former school nurse Greta Jarboe.

The newly incorporated policy however does not restrict what food or beverages parents may put in their kids’ lunch bags.

The new food policy was passed by legislature due to concern that too many Texas children are overweight. The hope is that with the limited availability of unhealthy foods (AKA “foods of minimal nutritional value”) at school the students will be encouraged to make healthy eating choices not only in the cafeteria line but at home as well.

All in all this sounds like a great policy that hopefully will get taken into consideration by other schools and state legislatures.

Source: DallasNews.com

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It’s that time of year – back to school. You’ve got all the basics for your new college student for when they get there but don’t forget the main part – driving there. If your college-aged child is hitting the long road to school here’s a safety checklist from the American Red Cross that is a must follow whether you’re behind the wheel or waving goodbye.

Prepare for the trip:

• First and foremost, check the basic safety of your car. Are the lights and turn signals working, turn them off and on to confirm. Make sure your tires are properly pressurized and that there is no fluid leaks or a string of cans or tailpipe dragging from behind.
• After making sure your car is ready to go the distance pack up all those must haves but do not obstruct your view – double check you can easily see out the windows and mirrors before starting the car.
• Get yourself an emergency supplies kit for your car. You should have this anyway but if you don’t now’s the time to catch up. You need a first aid kit that includes a manual, blanket, flares, flashlight and batteries, jumper cables and for extra credit hand sanitizer (you don’t know who touched the gas handle before you.)
• Last but not least, get your beauty sleep.

Hitting the holiday road:

• Leave early – you’ll be thankful for this extra time when you’re traveling at a comfortable pace and not feeling stressed out because you’re behind schedule.
• Should you feel tired or restless pull over at a rest stop or gas station and take a break. Walk around, get a Gatorade and refresh yourself. If you need to check in with anyone now would be a good time.
• Do not talk or text on your cell phone while driving. Not only is this distracting it’s dangerous. If you absolutely must use your cell phone pull over (and if it’s dark, pick at well-lit area).
• Depending on where you live there’s always a chance of rain- or snowstorms. Needless to say, slow down and don’t make any sudden moves. Apply the brakes slowly and steady to help keep your vehicle under control.
• Buckle up, it’s the law.

Source: American.RedCross.org

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Pens, paper, a new backpack – pretty basic back to school supplies for elementary, secondary and college students, right? Add to the list hand sanitizer.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has targeted the 6 – 24 year old age group as the most susceptible for contracting another possible H1N1 influenza outbreak.

The CDC recently changed its guidelines that only in extreme circumstances should schools close due to an outbreak of the H1N1 virus and that sick students may return as soon as 24 hours since they last had a fever. The CDC is also recommending that students get the H1N1 flu vaccination when it becomes available this fall. Preventions being continually stressed are the encouragement of proper hand washing, coughing into sleeves and staying home when you’re sick (which kind of contradicts the being able to return to school after 24 hours of last having a fever – you can be sick and not have a fever).

In the meantime school districts and university campuses are stocking up on hand sanitizers, printing swine flu prevention posters and meeting with health officials to stay up to date on the latest news and proper precautions.

If you’re lucky enough to have a school nurse you can bet she’ll be one of, if not the first, to detect any flu outbreaks at school this fall. If you do not have a nurse at your school (USA Today recently reported in 13 states the ratio of students to school nurses was over 2000 to 1 – the recommendation is 750 to 1) students and staff will need to work closely together to keep everyone on the same page.

Whether or not the H1N1 strikes back with a vengeance this fall it doesn’t hurt to at least get yourself an influenza protection kit.  Here’s a list of items that you can buy as a personal protection kit or individually and restock as needed: surface wipes, hand wipes, latex free gloves, biohazard bags, N95/face masks, sanitizing gel, tissue, isolation gowns, spill kit, pain relievers, liquids, cough drops – and for the convenience factor stock up on flu-friendly-food to get you by for a few days.

Sources: Chron.com, Examiner.com, USAToday.com

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School is right around the corner. At some point during the school year parents will more than likely wake up to the sound of their son or daughter complaining of a stomachache, headache, both or other ailments.

So, as a parent, what do you do? What’s the decider if you send them on their merry way, keep them home or keep them home and make a doctor’s appointment? It comes down to a few key guidelines that Laura Miller, a school nurse with Peoria District 150 in Illinois, shares with us.

“A child with a mild cough, cold, sore throat or stomachache may attend school if he does not have a fever of 100 or higher,” Miller said. “The child should also feel well enough to participate in school learning and other activities.”

If symptoms are more severe, but not quite severe enough for a visit to the doctor, the child should stay home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and avoid the TV, including video games.

As far as a trip to the doctor’s office it’s of course, up to you, the parents. You know your kids best. However, if we’re talking pink eye, difficulty breathing, vomiting lasting more than 24 hours, severe diarrhea with a fever and/or cramping, a sore throat lasting more than three days, severe abdominal pain or chicken pox don’t second guess yourself, get your child in for a checkup.

Common illnesses, such as a cold or the flu, are going to hit every year but if your child practices good hygiene and common courtesy such as proper hand washing and covering their coughs it will help against the spreading of germs.

“Attendance is key to a student’s success in school, so we want children here every day, unless something, such as an illness, prevents that,” Miller said.

Source: Galesburg.com

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