School nurse strives to keep students healthy

SHARON — The new school year is finally here and so are the germs that students spread to each other. Even with vigorous hand washing and covering of sneezes, sometimes younger children just can’t help but give their colds to their friends and classmates. Nurse Devon Sheehan from Sharon Center School has some tips to keep children healthy for the school year.

“Our school tries very hard to teach our kids about healthy habits,� said Sheehan. “My Web site offers tips for parents on topics such as how to decide if your child is too sick for school, healthy activity and eating tips, and health-based community events that are available.�

One of the main concerns that parents and teachers may have is when a child or student is too sick to attend school.

“Children can catch many things in the school environment and I teach parents that children really need to stay home when they are potentially infectious,� explained Sheehan. “This can be difficult for working parents but really helps to keep the rest of our population well.�

Children pick up germs due to their close interaction with one another, as well what are often less-than-ideal hand-washing habits. Some of the signs that a child is too sick to attend school are: a fever of 100 degrees or higher, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, headache or ear ache, and red or discharging eyes. Sheehan also explained that sore throats should always be followed up with a doctor.

“A sore throat should be followed up, to rule out strep throat, if it persists or is accompanied by fever, lethargy or swollen, tender glands,� said Sheehan. “If your child is diagnosed with strep throat, they need to remain home until they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours.�

Sheehan also notes how confusing a cold can be. A parent often doesn’t know whether or not their child is sick enough not to attend school.

“Colds are very prevalent, especially during the winter months. They are contagious and a child can have more than one throughout the school year, although colds are not necessarily a reason to miss school,� said Sheehan. “If your child has a mild cough but no fever or other symptoms, it is probably safe to send them to school.�

Sheehan wants to teach parents about germs and how to keep their children as germ-free as they can throughout the year.

“I teach an interactive hand-washing class early in the year to the primary grades,â€� explained Sheehan. “The class involves a  black light that shows students the germs they missed, with the germs being represented by talcum powder.â€�

Sharon Center School also has a wellness committee that sets up events involving health and wellness; it meets throughout the year. Last year, the school involved students’ whole families by forming a “walking club,� which tracked the miles that families walked together.

Physical education teacher Jason Conway also formed a lunch club for grades three through five that awards points for healthy lunch items and has a topic each week.

A monthly newsletter is sent home to families called “Nutrition Nuggets,� that includes healthy recipes and tips on how to stay healthy.

The Parent Teacher Organization is also into keeping their students healthy by putting out their own newsletter with a wellness corner section.

“This section has alternating articles from our psychologist on emotional health, our PE teacher on physical fitness and from me on nutrition and healthy habits,� explained Sheehan. “Community events like Walk, Run and Roll at Lime Rock and the annual hospital-sponsored community health fair are also promoted by our school.�

All this information and more are featured on Sheehan’s Web page on the Sharon Center School Web site.