Nice and warmer weather mean higher incidents of injuries. 

Here are some tips that might reduce the number of injuries: 

• Always watch your children very closely and know where they are at all times.
• Use a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15+ or greater to prevent sunburns.
• Share your emergency information with your babysitter.
• Use the buddy system.
• Wear protective helmets and gear when riding bikes and all-terrain vehicles.
• Look both ways when crossing the street and at intersections.
• Make sure that all chemicals and other harmful substances are out of reach and locked up.
• Stay well hydrated when completing outdoor activities.
• Stay away from wild and unfamiliar animals as well as unknown plants and flowers.
• Get at least 8 hours of sleep at night.
• Make sure that you eat at least three meals a day.

There are so many helpful tips to keep you and your family safe.  Use your head and common sense when outdoors.  Think about safety first. 

Contact Information
Please keep the school up-to-date on your contact and emergency information.  This is for your child’s safety.  Also, inform us of any changes in the medical status of your child.
Immunization       
For the upcoming 6^th graders, please make sure that you have an appointment scheduled as early as possible to have your child vaccinated with the required Tdap booster.  Please bring proof of your child being properly immunized with this vaccine to the school when completed.  Students entering the 6th grade will not be allowed to attend school until this booster is administered and proof by documentation from a doctor's office is delivered to the office.  Schedules for the school year 2011-2012 will be held until your child has received this shot and you have provided the school with proof of the vaccination.

Poison Ivy, Oak, Sumac

• Poison Ivy and Oak plants have 3 leaves per cluster.
• Poison Sumac has 7 to 13 leaves on a branch.
• Direct contact is needed to release the oil.  Stay away from forest fires or direct burning that can cause the oil to become airborne.
• Uroshiol oil stays active on any surface, including dead plants, for up to five years. (www.poisonivy.us)

Ticks

• Ticks can cause Lyme disease
• If a student has a tick on them in the playground, send them to the nurse, whom will attempt to remove it and tape it to a clinic pass.
• It is helpful to be preventative and treat pets for ticks.
• Avoid areas where ticks are known to live.
•  Most ticks “hang out” on vegetation such as plants, trees, weeds or grass in wooded areas.  Generally, ticks are found where they are most likely to come in contact with animals – near streams, lakes, or by a path animals are known to travel daily for food or water.  Some ticks are found in nests, burrows and places where their animal hosts live and sleep.( http://science-ed.pnl.gov/pals/resource/cards/ticks.stm)

Contact
My clinic hours are Monday thru Friday 9am - 2pm.  Please keep me informed about your child’s medical conditions and needs.   Do not hesitate to contact me at 586-3821.