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September - Back to School

Back to School Tips and Reminders

Our goal is to keep students as healthy as possible so that he or she can succeed in their academics.  The following is a list of tips to ensure a successful school year:

  • Medical care plans, rescue inhalers, and Epi pens are a necessity, and may save a life!  Please ensure all appropriate medication forms are completed and returned to the nurse's office as soon as possible, along with the medications your doctor has ordered.  Having the correct district forms completed and on file in the nursing office will ensure that your student does not experience any delays or problems when they try out for a sport or go on any school trips.  Health forms can be found by under the  District Forms tab on this webpage.   If your student has a health condition or needs special care during the school day such as medication, treatments, or monitoring,  please inform the school nurse. Individual health care plans help keep your students safe and healthy.
  •   All new students are required to have an updated immunization record and physical examination on file in order to stay in school.
  •  Annual school health screenings for vision, hearing, height, weight and scoliosis are conducted throughout the year.  If your child fails to meet the recommended criteria,  a referral will be sent home to parents or guardians.  If you receive a referral you will need  to talk to your physician for further evaluation. 
  • Encourage your child to eat a well-balanced breakfast every morning. Eating breakfast is important for everyone, but is especially so for children and adolescents.  According to the American Dietetic Association, children who eat breakfast perform better in the classroom with better concentration and problem-solving skills. 
  •  Make sure that your child gets at least 8 hours of sleep at night.

This is the perfect time to discuss backpacks!  Between textbooks and binders for each subject, they can get heavy quickly. Here are a few tips to share with your child from the National Safety Council:                                                                                               

Warning signs a backpack is too heavy

  • Change in posture when wearing the backpack
  • Struggling when putting on or taking off the backpack
  • Pain when wearing the backpack
  • Tingling or numbness
  • Red marks

Tips for Safe Backpack Use  

Wear both straps
Use of one strap shifts the weight to one side, causing muscle spasms and low back pain. This is true even with one-strap backpacks that cross the body. By wearing two shoulder straps, the weight of the backpack is better distributed, and a well-aligned symmetrical posture is promoted.

Wear the backpack over the strongest mid-back muscles
The size of the backpack should match the size of the child. It is also important to pay close attention to the way the backpack is positioned on the back. The backpack should rest evenly in the middle of the back. Shoulder straps should be adjusted to allow the child to put on and take off the backpack without difficulty and permit free movement of the arms. Make sure that the straps are not too loose and that the backpack does not extend below the low back.

Lighten the load
A heavy backpack forces the wearer to bend forward. Choose to carry only those items that are required for the day. Each night remove articles that can be left at home. When organizing the contents of the backpack, place the heaviest items closest to the back to reduce kinetic forces that cause postural misalignment and overwork muscles.

Use proper lifting techniques
Bend at the knees and use your legs to lift the backpack, placing one shoulder strap on at a time.

http://www.nsc.org/news_resources/Resources/Pages/BackpackSafety.aspx#.UzX-soW1uRM