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School Preparation - Schools battle the 'bug'
Schools battle the 'bug'
http://www.milannews.com/stories/101906/loc_20061019004.shtml
<mcc subhead="">Old adage remains good advice: 'wash your hands'</mcc>
<mcc byline1="">By Sue Collins</mcc><mcc byline2="">, Special Writer</mcc> PUBLISHED: October 19, 2006
http://www.milannews.com/stories/101906/loc_20061019004.shtml
<mcc subhead="">Old adage remains good advice: 'wash your hands'</mcc>
<mcc byline1="">By Sue Collins</mcc><mcc byline2="">, Special Writer</mcc> PUBLISHED: October 19, 2006
At Paddock Elementary School in Milan, the hot new club to join is the Carrot Club, and to compete in the daily Fruit Race is every student's lunchroom dream.
To help fight the battle against germs, illness and absences, school staffers are arming themselves with clubs, races and the broken-record message, "wash your hands, wash your hands."
To help fight the battle against germs, illness and absences, school staffers are arming themselves with clubs, races and the broken-record message, "wash your hands, wash your hands."
Last week at Pleasant Ridge Elementary in Saline, one third-grade class was down to 12 children. Eleven were home with strep throat, stomach bugs and a virus that leaves kids with a high fever and no other symptoms.
"Absences are definitely higher this year.
The last two weeks have been really serious," said Karen Grech, the busy school secretary who takes calls from parents reporting absences in the morning.
"We have had three to four kids missing from each class during MEAP week. It's a challenge."
Michelle Barnes, the Saline Area Schools nurse, said that while her weekly required reports to Washtenaw County have not showed any unusual illnesses or absences district-wide, this is the season for Group A streptococcus to hit.
"I have a standard letter and symptoms form that schools can use. Once a case of strep has been reported in a classroom, the teacher must send home a note to alert parents to watch for symptoms for this very contagious, airborne infection," she said.
Symptoms include a very sore throat, fever, irritability, nausea and or vomiting, decreased appetite and a possible sandpaper-like rash on cheeks and upper chest.
A trip to the pediatrician for an in-office tonsil swab will show a positive or negative throat culture. Antibiotics will zap strep, and kids can return to school once the fever has been gone 24 hours.
Judy Gniewek, the school nurse for Milan Area Schools, agrees that absences are average for this time of the year, which doesn't necessarily mean 100 percent classroom attendance.
"The beginning of school hits kids hard.
Waking up earlier, sharing smaller spaces with more children can mean trouble," she said.
"We remind parents to keep kids home when there is a fever, constant runny nose or vomiting within the last 12 hours."
Viral illnesses, like the common cold, should not be treated with antibiotics and need to be "sweated out."
"Kids are coming to school with fevers, dripping noses and excessive sneezing and coughing. I know it's difficult for some working parents to make care arrangements, but it's important for the sick child and the other students to keep him or her home," said Gniewek, who is affectionately known as "Nurse Judy" in Milan.
Added Barnes, "Not only is their child still contagious, but being ill, their child's immune system is lower and he or she is vulnerable to all the other bugs out there."
Most classrooms have a sink, soap dispenser and paper towels available for students. Most teachers also offer hand sanitizer at snack time and throughout the day.
Wellness programs, including the Fruit Race at Paddock and Walk to School Day at Heritage School in Saline, encourage children to eat right and exercise, important artillery in the illness battle.
Kids can enter the Fruit Race at Paddock by bringing in a piece of fruit from home to show they understand the importance of eating right.
"One student raised his hand to say he had home-made strawberry jam on his sandwich," Gniewek said. "Good effort!"
"Absences are definitely higher this year.
The last two weeks have been really serious," said Karen Grech, the busy school secretary who takes calls from parents reporting absences in the morning.
"We have had three to four kids missing from each class during MEAP week. It's a challenge."
Michelle Barnes, the Saline Area Schools nurse, said that while her weekly required reports to Washtenaw County have not showed any unusual illnesses or absences district-wide, this is the season for Group A streptococcus to hit.
"I have a standard letter and symptoms form that schools can use. Once a case of strep has been reported in a classroom, the teacher must send home a note to alert parents to watch for symptoms for this very contagious, airborne infection," she said.
Symptoms include a very sore throat, fever, irritability, nausea and or vomiting, decreased appetite and a possible sandpaper-like rash on cheeks and upper chest.
A trip to the pediatrician for an in-office tonsil swab will show a positive or negative throat culture. Antibiotics will zap strep, and kids can return to school once the fever has been gone 24 hours.
Judy Gniewek, the school nurse for Milan Area Schools, agrees that absences are average for this time of the year, which doesn't necessarily mean 100 percent classroom attendance.
"The beginning of school hits kids hard.
Waking up earlier, sharing smaller spaces with more children can mean trouble," she said.
"We remind parents to keep kids home when there is a fever, constant runny nose or vomiting within the last 12 hours."
Viral illnesses, like the common cold, should not be treated with antibiotics and need to be "sweated out."
"Kids are coming to school with fevers, dripping noses and excessive sneezing and coughing. I know it's difficult for some working parents to make care arrangements, but it's important for the sick child and the other students to keep him or her home," said Gniewek, who is affectionately known as "Nurse Judy" in Milan.
Added Barnes, "Not only is their child still contagious, but being ill, their child's immune system is lower and he or she is vulnerable to all the other bugs out there."
Most classrooms have a sink, soap dispenser and paper towels available for students. Most teachers also offer hand sanitizer at snack time and throughout the day.
Wellness programs, including the Fruit Race at Paddock and Walk to School Day at Heritage School in Saline, encourage children to eat right and exercise, important artillery in the illness battle.
Kids can enter the Fruit Race at Paddock by bringing in a piece of fruit from home to show they understand the importance of eating right.
"One student raised his hand to say he had home-made strawberry jam on his sandwich," Gniewek said. "Good effort!"