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News from the Nurse
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Check here often for updates from Mrs. Sipowicz regarding:
- School Health Office Announcements
- NYS Health Alerts
- Community Healthcare Events
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Do you need assistance with Health Insurance?
Posted by Alyssa Arlen on 4/12/2021If your family's situation or income has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are resources to help you and your family with health insurance. All of the following agencies offer resources to help families sign up for insurance plans through the NY State of Health marketplace.
Hudson Headwaters Health Network:
https://www.hhhn.org/about/patient-financial-services/
CDPHP Child Health Plus:
https://www.cdphp.com/members/health-plan/government-plans/child-health-plus/eligibility
MVP Child Health Plus:
mvphealthcare.com/childhealthplus
MVP Representative Contact Info
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Seasonal Allergies & COVID Symptoms
Posted by Alyssa Arlen on 3/23/2021 2:30:00 PM​Warmer weather is on its way and with it can come spring allergies! Seasonal allergies can look a lot like COVID-19 symptoms. From runny noses & congestion to asthma flare ups & difficulty breathing, it can be really hard to tell the difference and I cannot make any diagnoses of problems at school.
Image: CDC, Last update 9.10.20, Source NCRID https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/infographic-overlap-symptoms.html
To maximize your child’s in-person education, please consider doing the following now if your student has pre-existing seasonal allergies:
1. Contact your student's health care provider to get a seasonal allergies diagnosis on file at school (if it is not already on file from a past note or physical). This may give us a little more wiggle room to monitor your child at school versus sending them home for a COVID-like symptom.
2. Contact your student’s health care provider and discuss getting ahead of the symptoms BEFORE symptoms begin. If your student is already prescribed preventative allergy or asthma medication for allergy season, you should continue the medications as prescribed to prevent flare-ups.
3. Contact your student's healthcare provider for any sudden onset of COVID-like or allergy symptoms, especially if they are not relieved by usual allergy treatments.
Please also remember that if your student has never had seasonal allergies documented before, we cannot assume they are starting this year without a proper diagnosis from a health care provider. Additionally, the following COVID-like symptoms are not typically associated with allergies: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, new loss of taste and smell, fever, chills, muscle or body aches.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me!
Nurse Arlen
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ALLERGY ALERT: Important safety warning for epinephrine devices
Posted by Alyssa Arlen on 6/12/2020An important warning has been issued by the FDA for some lots of Amneal Pharmaceutical and Impax Laboratories generic epinephrine auto-injector devices.
Please read about how to check your device here:
https://epinephrineautoinject.com/product-safety-advisory/
As with any medication concerns, please contact your pharmacist or prescribing medical provider with specific questions.
More information can be found at:
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Virtual Fall 2020 Sports Sign-Ups
Posted by Alyssa Arlen on 6/1/2020Please note: The information below is in anticipation of the school district resuming in the fall. At this time, NYS schools have not been given any direction regarding the 2020-2021 school year.
Students in grades 7-12 next year interested in playing fall sports, can sign up in the Nurse's Google Classroom. If your student does not have access to Google Classroom, please contact me.
- The following forms are linked here:
Health History Form: Required for all students each season, signed by parent/ guardian within 30 days of the start of the season. Please return by email, fax, or mail dated 7/15/20 or later. If sent from a parent's email address that is on file with the school, a typed in parent name will be accepted as an electronic signature. - NYS Physical Exam Form: Usually needed each year but due to COVID19, any physical previously sent into the school nurse during the 2018-19 or 2019-20 school year is acceptable for fall sports; the attached form or any similar doctor's office form will be accepted. Please send in any available new physical exam by email, fax, or mail at any time.
Contact me with any questions:
Alyssa Arlen, MSN, RN, School NursePh 518-632-5222 x398
Fx 518-632-5231
- The following forms are linked here:
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Resources for Coronavirus: Social Distancing, Talking to Children, and Mental Health Resources
Posted by Alyssa Arlen on 3/24/2020 3:00:00 PMIn these uncertain times, I think it is safe to say we are all struggling to deal with the impact the COVID19 outbreak is having on our lives. No matter how young or old you are, your life has changed drastically in the past week. We and our children have been asked to "socially isolate" to preserve the greater good of our families, our community, our state, the country, and the world! This is a BIG ask!
I would like to take this opportunity to share some resources for understanding our role, as individuals and families, as we embark on this change in our daily lives.
What can we do with our children and what should we be teaching them right now? The CDC has some great points on these topics: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/children.html
How can everyone manage the stress and anxieties that come with all of the changes? The NYS Office of Mental Health has some great resources for us all: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/guidance/covid-19-managing-stress-anxiety.pdf
What is "mindfulness" and why do I keep hearing about it? While the concept of mindfulness is not new, it is being emphasized at this time as an available way for us all to manage our stressors. Here is just one site that you may find helpful if you choose to explore mindfulness for yourself or your family: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/how-be-yourself/201707/mindfulness-beginners
Wishing you all peace and wellness in this uncertain time! Alyssa
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Spring 2020 Sports Sign Ups
Posted by Alyssa Arlen on 2/13/2020Please use this link to sign up for the Spring 2020 Baseball and Softball season for grades 7 thru 12. Be sure to indicate your student's current grade and the level they wish to participate in -- Modified, JV, or Varsity.
A physical within the 12 months (dated on or after 3/1/2019) is required. Depending on level of participation (i.e. Athletic Placement Process) or existing medical conditions, additional medical information may also be required. Mrs. Arlen will notify parent/ guardian if a current physical or other paperwork is needed.
An updated Health History form is required for each sports season. Please return the following signed form to Mrs. Arlen by paper, email or fax (copies also available at school). Spring 2020 Health History
Health Office fax number: 518-632-5231
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Advisory: Measles Exposure in NYS
Posted by Alyssa Arlen on 11/20/2018 2:00:00 PMDue to the current measles outbreak in Rockland County (74 confirmed/ 57 are children less than 18) and NYC (24 confirmed/ 22 are children 7 months to 4 years), the New York State Department of Health urges all parents and health care providers to help protect children during this outbreak. If you have questions about measles or the measles vaccine, call the New York State Measles Hotline: 1-888-364-4837
Measles symptoms typically include:
- High fever (104 F or higher)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Rash breaks out 3-5 days after symptoms begin
- A person with measles can spread the virus 4 days before and 4 days after the rash appears
Vaccine recommendations:
The first dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective at preventing measles, if exposed. The effectiveness increases to 97% after the second dose.
All children should receive the first dose between 12 and 15 months old and a booster dose between ages 4 and 6 or before Kindergarten entry (whichever comes first). Child and Adolescent Vaccine Schedule
Any adults that have not been vaccinated with MMR, born in 1957 or later, and who have never had measles, should contact their primary care provider about receiving the vaccine.
View answers to common questions about measles:
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A Note About Viral Illnesses
Posted by Alyssa Arlen on 11/19/2018With the cold weather upon us, I am seeing an increasing number of students with viral illness symptoms. When children are close to one another, like in the school building or participating in group activities, illnesses can spread quickly.
If your student shows signs of illness, please look at all of his or her symptoms to determine if he or she should attend school or group events. Anytime you student is absent from school, please contact the nurse’s office by phone or email. A confidential voicemail can be left at any time during or outside of school hours.
Fever
Anyone with a fever of 100.4 or higher is showing signs of a contagious illness. The best thing to do with a fever is to stay home to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Many fevers only last a day or two and can be managed at home, however, always seek medical attention for a fever that does not come down with medication, onset of seizure-type activity with a fever, or if you are concerned about dehydration. Students should stay out of school and school sponsored activities until the fever is below 100.4 for 24 hours without the use of acetaminophen or ibuprofen containing medications (i.e. Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, cough and cold medications).
Sore Throat
This is a common symptom of “the common cold” and most students with a sore throat can continue to come to school. If a sore throat is causing trouble swallowing, lasting for multiple days, and/or causes swollen glands, with or without a fever, call your student’s primary care provider for further guidance as this could be a sign of a more serious illness (i.e. strep throat, mono). Students who are diagnosed with strep throat may return to school 24 hours after starting treatment. Please send in the doctor’s note clearing the student for return to school.
Cough
A cough is also a symptom of “the common cold” but it can also be a sign of a more serious infection (i.e. bronchitis, pneumonia, influenza). Seek medical attention for any cough that causes gagging or makes it hard to catch a breath. Students with a cough due to asthma symptoms should be treated with medications as advised by their health care provider. If you have not already, please make sure you have provided me with “rescue” asthma medication and a doctor’s order for your student with asthma (an order is still required for a student who “self-carries” an inhaler).
Diarrhea/ Vomiting
Many viral illnesses can cause diarrhea or vomiting (i.e. enterovirus, norovirus) and people often refer to these illnesses as “the stomach flu” or “a stomach bug.” Students with diarrhea or vomiting may or may not have a fever; however, the virus may still be easily spread. Other things may cause the same symptoms include bacterial infections of the intestines or food-borne illness. Any time your student has recurrent vomiting or diarrhea, please keep him or her home until 24 hours after symptoms resolve. These symptoms can usually be managed at home, but if your student has a high fever or you are concerned about dehydration, seek medical attention.
Influenza
Influenza or “the flu” is a viral illness that causes fever, headache, fatigue, sore throat, sore/ achy muscles, and sometimes nausea/ vomiting/ diarrhea. If you are worried your child may have influenza, contact his or her primary care provider for guidance. There is a swab test that can check for influenza and a prescription treatment is available to lessen the symptoms of influenza and prevent it from spreading as quickly. If your student tests positive for influenza, please notify the nurse’s office and keep your student out of school as advised by a health care provider. Please send in the doctor’s note clearing the student for return to school.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call or email.