Health Office -- Mrs. Patricia Bennett, RN, BSN

Welcome to a new year at Chesterfield! During the year I will be completing health screenings on each child and scoliosis screenings on bi-annually age 10 and older.  Of course, I'm here for routine health visits including injuries.  To help reduce injuries and illness we do stress prevention in the health curriculum.  I teach the health classes in grades K, 1st and 2nd.

Attendance -- Please call the school office by 9:30am with any absences.  This assures us that your child is safe at home and at school.  It also helps keep us apprised of the type if illnesses that are around. Hepatitis B Vaccine -- All students should be immunized or in the process of completing their series at this time, if not they will be excluded from school. 

Dr. Elyse Carty is our school physician and she visits the school as needed for student follow-up.  The state encourages all student physicals to be done by the family doctor - so forms will be sent home for your doctor to complete by the time of your child's regular checkup.

If your child has specific health needs or concerns please contact me at the school.

Thank you

News from the Nurse …

Hot weather and flip-flops -- a summer staple.   However, proper attire is a must at school.  Our policy is for students to be modestly and tastefully clothed.  The specifics of this policy include:

NO backless, strapless or spaghetti strap tops or shirts that expose a bare midriff.  Shorts must be an appropriate length.  Our guide is that shorts should be equal to fingertips when arms are held straight down.  Athletic and mesh tees may be worn ONLY if they do not expose the torso.  As for shoes, flip-flops are a danger in the hallways and on the play- ground.  Please use discretion.   Platform shoes are not appropriate for elementary school activities and recess.  Of course, sneakers are necessary for all gym and field day activities.

       Thank you, parents, for understanding and doing your best to enforce this policy.

Communicable Diseases:  This is the beginning of the season that usually has an increase in Upper Respiratory Infections, Strep Throat and Viruses.  Please remember to keep your child home for 24 hours after symptoms of fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.  If your child has symptoms of Strep Throat (i.e. sore throat, fever, swollen glands or sometimes just complaints of a headache or stomachache) please contact your physician.  If your child has Strep, they need to be on an antibiotic and have a doctor's note to return to school.

Remember:  Hand washing is the #1 step in disease prevention.  Also, please encourage your children to cover their coughs and sneezes and use tissues that they discard properly.

Food Allergies:  Please remember that we have several children with severe food allergies.  We have a "Nut-Free" table in the cafeteria.  We also request that NO FRESH PEANUTS, or any nuts (pistachios, cashews, etc.)  be brought to school by any children.  The particulate from the shells and skins is too difficult to contain in the cafeteria. If your child is eating peanut butter, please remind them that they cannot sit at that table and that they must throw there lunch trash away properly and wash their hands before going out for recess.  Also, remember in your holiday baking for our parties that any items made with nuts (including coconuts and oils) must be kept separate from the other baked goods and marked accordingly.  Thank you for your support.