Please view this video for important information about the need to vaccinate your child against Meningitis. This is a strong disease that can be life threatening and life altering. While it is not yet required except for some college students, it is highly recommended. Please discuss this vaccine with your health care provider or your school nurse.
http://www.voicesofmeningitis.org/
We are building stronger students and teachers, making our school even more effective and ensuring our community has a strong start toward future progress! If we work together, we all can make it happen! Be a part of our crew. We need every one working together to be successful. That means YOU!!
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Osteoporosis
I hope you kids are banking your calcium. Dig into those dairy foods and other foods that contain calcium. You are going to need it by the time you turn 30!
Physical Fitness and Sports
We can all make better choices about what we eat and how much we move! Let's Move It, America!http://www.fitness.gov/
Food Allergy Awareness
It is important to be aware of our surroundings when food allergies are present. Let's take care of one another and keep all our friends safe! Learn more at this site.
www.foodallergy.org/section/food-allergy-awareness-week1
You Would Be Wise to Immunize!
"Getting immunized is a life-long, life-protecting job. Make sure you and your healthcare provider keep your immunizations up to date. Check to be sure you've had all the vaccinations you need." Immunization Action Coalition
Are your adolescent children current on their immunizations?
TDaP Booster shots are required for 7th and 8th graders. Verification of students receiving this vaccine will be required for enrollment. Every student eleven years and older is encouraged to get this booster!
Chicken? If your child only had one dose of Varicella, it is now recommended that a second dose be given.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is available for adolescent females to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts. This vaccine may be given up to the age of 26. And guess what, it is now available for males as well. Talk to your healthcare provider or school nurse for more information. THIS IS A THREE SHOT SERIES. IF YOU WANT THE MOST PROTECTION AGAINST CERVICAL CANCER OR GENITAL WARTS CAUSED BY HPV, BE SURE TO GET ALL THREE SHOTS!!
Meningitis is a rare, but very serious life-ending or life-altering disease, which can affect an otherwise healthy person within 24 hours. Preteens and teens are at greater risk for getting meningitis and are more likely to be affected than other age groups. Meningitis is spread through close contact with affected individuals. Teens are usually very social and share alot of things, like drinking or eating utensils, cell phones, kisses and living quarters. Please protect them with this vaccination! Childer may receive a meningococcal vaccine starting at age 11 years, and should have a meningococcal booster shot at age 16 years. If students are planning to go to college and live in a dorm setting, they must have a booster shot even if they have already had one at a younger age. Remember, meningitis is spread by droplets either directly or indirectly, so settings like camps or other close-quartered activities may allow for transmission. Please get your child immunized for their protection!
WHOOPING COUGH
There has been some concern about the rise in pertussis (whooping cough) cases. Infants under the age of 1 year are most at risk for severe illness, as their immune systems have not been fully formed. Adolescents have been identified as those most likely to spread the illness. The CDC recommends that all individuals over the age of 19 years receive a TD booster. Anyone who plans to be around a child under the afe of one year should get a TDaP that also will protect against pertussis.http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/
JUST REMEMBER, HAND WASHING AND COVERING COUGHS AND SNEEZES REMAIN SOME OF THE VERY BEST DETERRENTS TO DISEASE TRANSMISSION! 
"You can't educate a child who isn't healthy and you can't keep a child healthy who isn't educated."
Jocelyn Elders, Former US Surgeon General
Good vision is an important part of learning and we appreciate having the valuable service from Prevent Blindness Oklahoma. Screenings do not replace the need for regular comprehensive exams, but do provide information that may be helpful in identifying a need for intervention. We are finding that students are not wearing their corrective lenses at school, and they need to. Some students' glasses are lost or broken, and there are resources to help them get replacements. We are working to assist students and families to resolve this issue. Some students are found to need initial or updated comprehensive exams. Parents have been notified of any abnormal findings. If a comprehensive exam is indicated and financial assistance is needed, parents are encouraged to contact Jennifer Puett, the school nurse, to consider options that may be helpful.
Any student may be screened for hearing, vision or speech by the request of the student, a parent or guardian, a teacher or school faculty member. Additional screenings that may be provided include assessment of height, weight, BMI, dental hygiene, blood pressure, temperature, pulse, head and neck.
Parents or guardians will need to notify the school nurse if they do not want these screenings to be done for their child.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to notify Nurse Puett of any concerns or questions regarding the student's health or healthcare needs. Nurse Puett's office number is 580.832.3420 extension 406.
It is preferable that medications be given at home whenever possible. However, there are certain instances when medication needs to be given at school. Medications may be administered to students by the school nurse or other school personnel designated by the school administration under the following guidelines and requirements:
1. A Health History and Medical Treatment Consent Form must be completed by the parent or guardian at the time of enrollment and must be updated as needed to reflect the current medical status of the student and how to contact the parent or guardian in case of emergency.
2. Written parental consent must be provided for all medications given to students.
3. Written medical authorization must be provided by the treating healthcare provider for any medication prescribed for the student.
4. Any medication to be given at school must be taken to the school nurse or other designated school personnel. Students are not permitted to keep any medication on their person, in lockers, desks, backpacks or gym bags during school hours, with the exception of emergency or rescue medications such as asthma inhalers, diabetic medications, seizure medications or medications for the treatment of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions). Students who need to carry these specific medications will be assessed by the healthcare provider and the school nurse to determine their knowledge and capability to carry and self-administer these medications. If students are deemed to be too young or unable to carry and administer medication independently, emergency medications will be stored securely in a place near the student’s location (classroom) so that it is easily accessed by the nurse or designated school personnel.
5. Medication that is prescribed by a healthcare provider must be brought in its original and most current container with the prescription label attached, showing the student’s name, the name of the healthcare provider, the name and dose of the medication and the directions for use.
6. Any over-the-counter medication must come unopened in its original container with the student’s name written on the container. Directions for use and expiration date must be visible.
7. If an antibiotic or liquid medication is to be given, it may be helpful to ask the pharmacist if a secondary container may be obtained so that the medication to be given during school hours may be left at school. Over-the-counter medication may also be left at school, to be used as needed, as long as the written consent and instructions are sent with it. This may decrease the need to transport the medication back and forth from home to school, assuring the medication will be handled and stored safely.
8. The school nurse will communicate with parents/guardians regarding medication usage; however, it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to provide medication for school use in a timely manner (refilling medication). It is also the parent/guardian’s responsibility to replace any medication that has reached its expiration date.
9. Communication between school healthcare providers and parents/guardians is encouraged to enhance the student’s health, safety and ability to learn and participate during school hours.
School Nurse Jennifer Puett, R.N., BSN, M.Ed Office Phone 580.832.3420 ext. 406 or 402
Pre-school, Pre-Kindergarten
4 DTaP, 3 Polio, 1 MMR, 3 Hepatitis B, 2 Hepatitis A, 1 Varicella
Kindergarten through 11th Grade
5 DTaP, 4 Polio, 2 MMR, 2-3 Hepatitis B, 2 Hepatitis A, 1 Varicella
7th and 8th Grades
TDaP--not just Td!
12th Grade
5 DTaP, 4 Polio, 2 MMR, 2-3 Hepatitis B, 2 Hepatitis A
Consider these recommended vaccines:
TDaP (if over 7th and 8th grades), Meningitis, HPV, Influenza
Ask you Healthcare Provider to review and update your child's immunization record at each visit.
You may get additional information from the school nurse, the Oklahoma State Health Department Immunization Division at 405.271.4073 or by visiting the web site at:
Administrator Audrey Rowe of USDA's Food and Nutrition Service says school lunches are getting a makeover so they will be healthier for students of all ages.
"They will see more fruits and vegetables that will be offered everyday in their lunches. They will see more grains, fat-free or low-fat milk," says Rowe.
Another big change implemented this school year: portion sizes based on a child's age. Middle schoolers, for example, will get more calories than kids in elementary school.
Rowe says the goal is to give kids a lot of healthy options. Pizzas are getting whole wheat crusts, while baked sweet potato fries, grape tomatoes and apples are becoming regulars on lunch trays.
Rising child obesity rates helped bring about the first major overhaul of the lunch program in 15 years. But, Rowe says, "what is more important is people learning how to have a healthy lifestyle."
Rowe acknowledges its tough.
"It's a cultural change," she says. This is why they are trying to instill healthy havits in young children.
"Well, the earlier you do it, the more successful and the easier it is," Rowe says.
http://www.wtop.com/267/3009332/Big-changes-coming-to-school-lunches
If your child does not have health insurance, please visit this site for more information to determine if your child is eligible for assistance.
http://www.okhca.org/individuals.aspx?id=11698&menu=40
If you need further help, please contact Jennifer Puett, R. N., Cordell School Nurse. I will try to help you gather the information you need to get started.
NO MORE FOOD PYRAMID! NOW, CHOOSE MY PLATE! Check out this site for some new and interesting approaches to eating in a more healthy way!
Start the Day Right - Don't Skip Breakfast
Studies show that children who eat breakfast do better in school. It is also true that adults feel better and work better as well. Whether you work at home, on the farm, at the office, at school, or on the road, it is not a good idea to skip breakfast. Eating a good breakfast sets the tone for the rest of the day.
Cordell School is fortunate to have a successful breakfast program that has been well received by students and staff alike.
FOOD 4 KIDS
The Regional Food Bank provides the Food 4 Kids Program that makes food available for those families who have young children who may not receive enough food to sustain their nutritional needs on the weekends. Cordell School proudly participates in this very valuable program. For more information about how this program might help your family, or if you are interested in providing support to help the kids of Oklahoma, please contact the school nurse or the Regional Food Bank.
WE CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER DAILY TO STAY HEALTHY
We Give Thanks to the many individuals, organizations and churches who have demonstrated their care, concern and interest in the well-being of our students. We are so appreciative of your kindness.
EVERYDAY*ALL THE WAY*NO EXCEPTIONS*NO EXCUSES!!
1. Wear your seatbelt and encourage everyone you are riding with to wear theirs as well.
2. Remember to wear your helmets and protective gear while biking and playing sports.
3. Watch out for cars and strangers.
HAPPY, HEALTHY BODIES
At school, kids learn, kids play and kids get dirty. In order to allow students to continue their school day with little interruption, some articles of clean clothing are available for use as needed. Parents are asked to wash and return borrowed clothing as soon as possible. Underwear is new and does not need to be returned.
EARLY TO BED, EARLY TO RISE,
MAKES OUR KIDS HEALTHY, WEALTHY AND WISE
With READING, WRITING, ARITHMATIC, MORE READING and many other things to learn and be involved in, the kids are finding it hard to get to bed on time and also forget to take time to eat right. While you are reminding them that you love them, please remind them to take time to properly care for themselves. BE GOOD ROLE MODELS AND HELP YOURSELVES AS WELL!