Dog Days of Summer: Back to School Health Notes

"Dog Days" (Latin: diēs caniculārēs) are the hottest, most sultry days of summer. Dog Days can also define a time period or event that is very hot or stagnant, or marked by dull lack of progress. We are now at that stage of summer where you parents are getting a little tired of having the kids around (are you getting testy?). At the beginning of the summer it was fun, but now it's time for them to get ready for school (and time for you to have a reprieve).   

Preparing for the school year is not just about making sure the kids have their supplies, backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and don't forget the kleenex. It's also about making sure your child's health is in order to begin the new school year. The Department of Health and Senior Services recommends that all students receive a physical in 7th grade. As your child reaches or nears puberty, their bodies can change drastically. This is when we often find physical changes such as vision or scoliosis that can require assistance.

Ask your physican to make sure immunizations are up to date. There have been many changes, and incoming 8th graders are now required to have a TDaP (Tetanus, diptheria, pertussis) because of the recent pertussis outbreak. Your child will not be allowed to start school if immunizations are not up to date. The other immunization that parents are asking about is the HPV, which is recommended for preteens and teens. Some types of HPV (a virus) can cause cervical cancer. Information on HPV can be found at CDC's website:  http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/who/teens/vaccines/hpv.html

Ask your physician to check vision, hearing and scoliosis. If your child has Asthma, an Asthma Action Plan is necessary for school. This gives the nurse guidelines/orders to follow in case your child has an asthma exacerbation. Don't forget to bring an inhaler to school on the first day. Please, please, please ask the pharmacist to put the label on the inhaler or bring the box with your child's name and prescription information. Also, if your child has allergies that require an epi pen and/or benadryl, these medication will be required the first day of school.

Affton School District policy for medication is that parents MUST bring prescription medications to school. Students are not allowed to carry these on the bus. 

This is a lot to think about during these dog days, so these next few weeks will be busy. As parents, we are responsible for our kids and sometimes this can become overwhelming and stressful. Work with your school nurse and let us help you get your child ready for school. We want your child to be safe and happy (okay, realistically, most kids are happy for the first day to see all of their friends and then, not so much). But we do want them to be safe at school. Please call your child's school if you have any questions about health or wellness. 

Have a great last few weeks with your kids, do something fun! Pretty soon they will be mine again, and you can have your sanity back.