Healthy Living

Vision Information You Can Use

Most learning is visual and your student should have a professional eye screening each year. Following are some interesting vision facts from the Dean Health Plan magazine-Copy written by Staywell Custom Communications: 

• Contact lens alone may not protect your eyes from ultraviolet light that can cause cataracts. Everyone -including lens wears-should wear sunglasses with at least 99 percent ultraviolet protection.
• Reading in poor light won't harm your sight, but it can make your eyes tired. So turn on a light.
• You don't need to feast on carrots for healthy vision. Most Americans get enough vitamin A from their regular diet.
• Using a computer for long periods of time won't ruin your vision, but it can strain your eyes. That's because you're not blinking enough.Try to take a five-minute break every hour or two, and make sure your children take breaks also.

If your family has NO vision insurance please contact the school nurse, as there are programs that will pay for the screening and glasses if they are needed. There are also some programs that will pay for glasses if your insurance will not.

Head Lice Prevention

Remind your child not to share hats, scarves, jackets, combs, brushes, barrettes, or other personal items with their friends as these items may transfer head lice. Check your child's head frequently for head lice, particularly if your child is scratching their head.  Head lice do not fly or jump.

If head lice are found, treat the infestation. After treatment comb,using a nit comb, out as many nits as possible to help prevent a reinfestation. Clean and vacuum the house thoroughly, wash hats, gloves, scarves, combs and brushes and other personal items in hot water and dry them in the dryer on a hot heat setting, if possible. Notify the school so that a notice stating head lice has been found in the classroom can be sent home. Head lice are a nuisance and take a great deal of work remove, these measures help to prevent the spread. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Add In Case of Emergency to Cell Phones

If you have a cell phone, program emergency contact names and numbers under the contact name, ICE,  In Case of Emergency. Adding these contacts will help emergency and medical professionals quickly find your family members or friends in an emergency situation, especially if you are unable to give them the information.