Health & Wellness

 

Truancy vs. Chronic Absence; what is the difference?

DID YOU KNOW?

• Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
• Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) can make it harder to learn to read.
• Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few   weeks.
• Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
• Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.

Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.

 

What families can do!

• Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required shots. Build regular routines for bed time and the morning.
• Talk about the importance of regular attendance and about how your child feels about school. Don’t permit missing school unless your child is truly sick.
• Use a thermometer to check for a fever.
• Remember that stomach aches and headaches may be signs of anxiety.
• Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
• Keep a chart recording your child’s attendance at home.
• At the end of the week, talk with your child about what you see.
• Develop back up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Ask a family member, neighbor or another parent for help.
• Seek support from school staff or community groups to help with transportation, health problems, or no safe path to school.

Stay informed by visiting Parkland School Districts homepage for up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 and Parkland.

Parkland School District and COVID-19

DON’T WAIT -----------VACCINATE NOW
FOR ATTENDANCE IN ALL GRADES

4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis*  (1 dose on or after the 4th birthday) 4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given)** 2 doses of measles, mumps, rubella *** 3 doses of hepatitis B 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) Vaccine or history of diseas * Usually given as DTP or DTaP or if medically advisable DT or Td  ** A fourth dose is not necessary if the third dose was administered at age 4 years or older and at least 6 months after the previous dose. *** Usually given as MMR

FOR ATTENDANCE IN 7^th GRADE:

• 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)
• 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)

 FOR ATTENDANCE IN 12^th GRADE:

• 2^nd dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) at age 16 or older.

As a result of the March 6, 2020 Proclamation of Disaster Emergency, this immunization requirement has been TEMPORARILY suspended for two months from the first day of school. A child must have had a least one dose of the above vaccinations and/or if additional doses are still needed, the dose(s) must be received by October 31, 2020, if medically appropriate, or risk exclusion.

These requirements allow for medical reasons and religious/philosophical beliefs. If your child is exempt from immunizations, he/she may be removed from school during an outbreak.

Pennsylvania’s school immunization requirements can be found in 28 PA.CODE CH.23 (School Immunization)

Contact your health care provider or 1-877 PA HEALTH for more information

Reference: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/programs/immunizations/Pages/School.aspx

What is it? Why is it important? 

CDC Social Distancing

Who should be doing it?

PA Department of Health FAQ's

 

America is celebrating national Farmers Market Week, and so can you! Buy local, stock up on fresh fruits, veggies and more this weekend. Find a local farmer's market, roadside stand, or farm stand near you! 

 

Reference: Penn State PRO Wellness <PROwellness@pennstatehealth.psu.edu>

Is technology taking over your life? Research shows that children, ages 8 to 18, spend more time with technology than any activity other than sleeping. Help your family achieve more balance by rediscovering the joys of life beyond smartphones and television screens. Skip the screen and unplug outdoors to celebrate Move It Outside Day (May 1) and Screen-Free Week (April 29-May 5). Consider taking small steps to increase physical activity levels to improve health and well-being all year round.

• 11 ways families can get active 

Reference: Penn State PRO Wellness <PROwellness@pennstatehealth.psu.edu>

Stress affects most Americans at one point or another. Much like having a house cluttered with items you don’t really need, it’s easy for emotions, like stress, to pile up. The mounds of stress can stand in your way of feeling calm, clear-headed and in control of your life. Address any stress or exhaustion you may be feeling. Find ways to streamline your thoughts and tame your emotions to help put your best self forward. Consider these strategies to help manage stress and learn how to incorporate practicing self-care. 

• 5 ways to ditch emotional clutter
• 5 tips to tackle stress 
• 6 ways to make self-care a priority
• Penn State Health psychologist: Keep stress at bay, turn "what if’s" into "to-dos" 
• 7 steps to cope with work stress
• Beat work stress with this easy yoga sequence
• Stress management: 4 ways to maximize evenings for easier mornings 
• 2 common stressors for men, 6 ways to take action
• The power of practicing daily mindfulness
• What is mindfulness? 4 ways to help you get started
• Expecting a stressful day? Wrong morning mindset could affect your memory

 

Reduce your emotional clutter

Reference: Penn State PRO Wellness <PROwellness@pennstatehealth.psu.edu>

Center For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) Resources

• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Stop the Spread of GermsPDF Download FlyerPDF Download
• Coronavirus Fact SheetPDF Download
• What to Do if You Are Sick With CoronavirusPDF Download
• Preventing Coronavirus (COVID-19) from Spreading
• COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

General Preventative Measures

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when sick.
• Cough or sneeze into an elbow or use a tissue and place immediately in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. 

What we are doing at Parkland School District

• Disinfecting desks, door knobs, school bus seats, phones and all public areas each evening
• Increasing the availability of hand sanitizer (all high use areas already have wall-mounted stations)
• Posting flyers throughout public areas and restrooms about how to (Stop the Prevention of Germs)
• Rotating whole room disinfection machines through school nurse suites and athletic areas

Parkland Resources

• An Ounce of Prevention (English Version)
• An Ounce of Prevention (Chinese Version)
• An Ounce of Prevention (Spanish Version)
• An Ounce of Prevention (Urdu Version)

High blood pressure (also referred to as HBP, or hypertension) is when your blood pressure, the force of blood flowing through your blood vessels, is consistently too high.

Facts about high blood pressure

 

Reference: American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure

Does the very mention of potty training fill you with dread? Parents and caregivers play a key role in this training with direction, motivation and reinforcement. It can be stressful for parents and children alike, but don’t fret. Prepare for the potty training process with these practical tips and suggestions that will reassure you during any setbacks or obstacles. 

• 7 signs of potty training readiness

Infographic: What your pee color means