FIFTH GRADE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT LESSONS
Growth and development lessons will be taught to the fifth grade in May. An
information packet was sent home. Feel free to call, if you have questions.
Dogwood Hill: Thursday, May 16 and Thursday, May 30.
SCREENINGS
Vision screening takes place in Grades Pre-K, 2,4,6, and 8. Auditory screening
occurs in Grades PreK through 4, 6 and 8. Blood pressure is screened yearly.
Height and weight are documented yearly. Students are screened for scoliosis
in Grade 4, 6 and 8. Pediculosis (lice)screening occurs as needed. Screenings
are not diagnostic, but conditions that need attention may be discovered and
will be reported to parents.
SCOLIOSIS SCREENING
The elementary schools will be conducting scoliosis screenings are planned for
January or February. You will receive a letter prior to inform you of the date.
As a child grows, curves may occur in his or her spine. This abnormal
curvature can be an indicator of a condition known as scoliosis. Scoliosis is
very treatable,especially when detected within the early stages. In fact, in
the United States, there are about 3.6 million Americans living with some
degree of scoliosis.
What is involved in scoliosis screening?
A scoliosis screening consists of looking at the student's torso in standing
and bent positions to evaluate the spine. The screener may need to touch the
student's back and/or hip the school nurse will conduct the screenings in a
separate area within the school or health office.
When?
Date/Time: The screenings will take place during your child's physical
education classes.
What to wear?
In order to fully assess the spine, we need to observe the student's back
without excessive clothing.
Boys: Gym shorts and with gym shirts removed.
Girls: Gym shorts and a swimsuit top, sports bra or other appropriate clothing.
NJ FAMILY CARE Insurance
NJ FamilyCare is a federal and state funded health insurance program created
to help New Jersey's uninsured children and certain low-income parents and
guardians to have affordable health coverage. It is not a welfare program. NJ
FamilyCare is for families who do not have available or affordable employer
insurance, and cannot afford to pay the high cost of private health insurance.
http://www.njfamilycare.org/
1-800-701-0710
TTY 1-800-701-0720 (For hearing impaired individuals)
Give Kids A Smile!
Give Kids A Smile! is a free program offered under the direction of the New
Jersey Dental Association. Free dental care will be provided to children 12
and under to children in need on Friday, February 3, 2012. This includes oral
hygiene, fillings, x-rays, crowns and more. The names of the participating
dentists will be available in January. Contact your school nurse for a copy.
EMERGENCY CARDS
In the event of illness or injury it is imperative that we are able to
conform to the wishes of parents or guardians regarding the release of
their child for treatment. It is MANDATORY that EMERGENCY CARDS be
completed on both sides for each student. Every attempt will be made to
contact the parent or guardian before calling the persons listed on the card
as emergency contacts. Your child will be released ONLY to the persons
listed on the emergency card. Please keep this card up to date as needed. If
you change phone numbers: cell, home, or work, please notify us immediately.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
AMMENDED IMMUNIZATION REGULATIONS
Children who attend a licensed child care center and preschoolers MUST receive
annual influenza vaccinations AND a pneumoccocal vaccine. In addition,
children born after January 1,1997 and enrolled in Grade 6 or transferring
into a New Jersey school from another state or country will be required to
receive a booster dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine as
well as one dose of a meningoccocal vaccine.
FLU IMMUNIZATION RECOMMENDATION
The New Jersey Dept. of Health is recommending that children in Grades K-12
receive an annual flu (influenza) vaccine. One of the hallmarks of influenza
is its attack rate, which can lead to secondary bacterial infections,resulting
in high absentee rates. Flu season can start as early as October and extend
through May. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending two
doses of active vaccine for children under nine years of age who are receiving
the vaccine for the first time. For adults and older children,one dose
annually is sufficient.
FOOD ALLERGIES
Unfortunately, for some children ingestion or touch of certain foods can be
life-threatening. At the beginning of each school year, a letter informing
you of the life-threatening allergies present in your child's grade will be
sent home. Please avoid sending in snacks or birthday treats that contain the
foods that are listed in the letter that you received. We continue to be
committed to student safety and we reflect on the adopted policy of the
Oakland Board of Education.