October 5, 2011
What a pleasure to see our returning students, catch up on summertime activities, and note the growth that has taken place! Welcoming our new families is always very special. If we haven’t had the opportunity to speak with you personally, please stop by and introduce yourself—and, as always, call us anytime with your questions or concerns about our policies or your child!
On that note, we would like to remind all families of our “return to school” policy. If a child runs a fever of 100 degrees or more, he/she will be dismissed from school. Please keep your child home for a full 24 hours after your child is fever free [without over the counter or prescription intervention].
We want to inform you of some terrific news! Both of our health offices are now equipped with AED’s (automatic external defibrillators). Jeanne and Bill May donated a defibrillator to the School before our annual American Heart Association First Aid/CPR training which also included defibrillator training. While we hope we don’t need to use it, we can’t thank Bill and Jeanne enough for their generous gift and for elevating the safety of our campus! A few Lower School students noticed the new AED sign outside the Health Office and asked about it so we spoke briefly to them at lunch last week. Please feel free to call us if you or your child has any questions.
New Immunization Requirements from the CDC and Massachusetts
Department of Public Health for Fall 2011
Entering kindergarten: 2 doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or proof of disease
Entering 7th grade: 1 dose of Tdap in addition to previous 5 doses
2 doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or proof of disease
Meningococcal Disease Vaccine
Meningococcal disease is caused by infection with bacteria that can surround the brain and spinal cord or infect the blood and organs of the body. In the US about 1-3 thousand people get this disease each year and, despite antibiotic treatment, 10% -15% die. It spreads from person to person in much the same way as a cold does. Research shows that the risk of meningococcal disease starts to increase in adolescence and young adulthood. There are now 2 licensed vaccines available. For children between the ages of 11-12, though not required, meningococcal vaccine is often recommended. Massachusetts law now REQUIRES newly enrolled full-time students attending college or secondary schools who will be living in a dorm to receive their first dose or a booster dose if vaccinated more than 5 years ago before attending the school. For more information please check out the MDPH website or talk with your child’s physician.
Kay Asher, R.N.
Colleen Chapdelaine, R.N.
A REMINDER OF APPLEWILD SCHOOL’S NUT FREE POLICY
Nut Prohibition Policy
Due to the increased frequency and severe nature of nut and nut oil allergies, Applewild School strives to be a nut and nut-oil free environment by monitoring our food services and by asking families to avoid sending in to school any products with peanuts, nuts and nut oils. Baked goods, candies, and snacks with nuts or nut oils are not to be sent to school or on the school bus under any circumstances, nor are other food products produced or packaged in cross contaminated environments. At the same time, while we will make reasonable effort to prohibit the presence of any products with peanuts, nuts and nut oils, it is impossible to guarantee a nut-free environment. Vigilance and adherence to this policy, however, will go a long way in providing a safe environment for all members of our school community.
When foods are brought in to school for birthday/special occasions, please read ALL labels to insure they don’t contain peanuts/nuts/nut oils. This includes “mix ins” candies, chips etc. for cross contamination. A list of all ingredients would be appreciated in order to do our best to provide a safe environment.
Please contact the Health Office anytime for a list of nut-free cake mixes, brownies, muffins/frostings that we have discovered to be safe foods.
Joyce’s bakery in Leominster 1-978-840-4485 can also be a safe choice. If in doubt PLEASE ere on the side of CAUTION!
Thank you.