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Contact Information
Beverly Ann Shipe
Health Teacher & District Nurse Practitioner
250-1269

Immunization Changes For September 2009-10 Enrollment
Tdap: Required for those born on or after January 1, 1994 and entering grades 6, 7 & 8 or a comparable age-level special education school or program in the 2009-10 school year. This requirement is in addition to any previous booster for kindergarten entrance.

Varicella: All children need one dose of varicella (chickenpox) for pre-k entry. Students born on or after January 1, 1998 need one dose for K-12 entry. Students born on or after January 1, 1994, and who enroll in grades 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10the 6th,7th at the beginning of the 2009-10 school year must be immunized against varicella.

Health Care Notebook Workshop
Mrs. Sue Arnesen, Sweet Home Central Special Education Teacher, is coordinating a workshop in the fall sponsored by Parent to Parent of NYS, Western Office that would include reviewing a Health Care Notebook , and possibly incorporating other issues that might impact health impaired children. Please contact Mrs. Arnesen at
sarnesen@shs.k12.ny.us for interest in attending this one night workshop. Further information can be addressed if a need is identified.

A Health Care Notebook is an organizational tool for families who have children with special care needs. Using a Health Care Notebook can help you keep track of important information about your child’s health, providers and health history.

What Kids Need: 40 Developmental Assets- What Are They?
‘The Developmental Assets are 40 common sense, positive experiences and qualities that help influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults.

Grounded in extensive research in youth development, resiliency, and prevention, the Developmental Assets represent the relationships, opportunities, and personal qualities that young people need to avoid risks and to thrive. Because of its basis in research and its proven effectiveness, the Developmental Assets framework has
become the single most widely used approach to positive youth development in the United States.’

Read the list of assets

Asset Lists
40 Developmental Assets for Early Childhood (ages 3-5)
NEW! 40 Developmental Assets for Grades K–3 (ages 5-9)
40 Developmental Assets for Middle Childhood (ages 8-12)
40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents (ages 12-18)

How Do I Know a Movie is Suited for my Child?
There are many sites that can provide reviews and/or summary information of movies aside from the Motion Picture Association of America [MPAA] industry ratings [G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17]. And now, we have information on previews and DVDs. The purpose of the sites below is to provide parents with relevant and
objective information of media content so parents can make a decision based on their faith and value system to watch or not, with or without their children. [Of course, just Google ‘movie trailers’ for sites to preview movie clips. E.g. http://www.apple.com/trailers]

A few sites are listed below- choose one that suits your purpose.

Drug Information Site
‘Drug Infonet provides drug and disease information for your healthcare needs. Visit the FAQ page to find answers to common health questions. Look on the Manufacturer Info page to link to pharmaceutical company pages. Click to Health Info and Health News for the latest in healthcare developments. … a free resource to you so that you become a more informed consumer of healthcare.’ http://www.druginfonet.com

Summer Health
• Wear SPF sun block/lotion sun protective clothing and during peak hours of 10 AM–3 PM.
• Keep hands clean and away from mucous membranes on face.
• Keep heat sensitive foods cold.
• Know what your children are doing and whom they are with at all times.
• Provide supervision and water safety skills for all swimmers.
• Get your 8-10 hours of sleep for a healthy immune system.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables, and high fiber foods.
• And, go for that walk!

Increase Brain Performance
Surprisingly, ‘regular consumption of dark chocolate, wine and tea has been shown to enhance brain performance.

• Researchers have reported from Oxford University in England ‘that those who habitually consumed chocolate, wine or tea, scored significantly higher on tests of cognitive performance than those who did not,
• Italian researchers recently reported that older adults with mild cognitive impairment who drank one glass of wine daily developed dementia at an 85% slower rate compared to those who never imbibed.
• Researchers at the University of North Dakota reported that a daily jolt of java can enhance brain function and help protect against Alzheimer’s Disease. Compared to women who didn’t drink coffee, female coffee drinkers were nearly 70% less likely to have memory decline at age 80 or older.
• If you do not enjoy wine, tea, or coffee, pomegranate juice may be the ideal ‘brain boosting’ beverage for you. Scientists at Loma Linda University in California found that drinking a glass of juice each day helps slow the development and progression and development of Alzheimer’s Disease.’ Buffalo News April 7, 2009 Page C3 Reduce Alzheimer’s Risk by Dr. Rallie McAllister

Allergy & Asthma
‘Asthma and allergies are the most common chronic childhood diseases. Asthma affects nearly five million American children, while allergies affect about 50 million. Many children with asthma miss out on school, sports, and other childhood activities. It is important for family members to learn how to identify and avoid asthma and allergen triggers; recognize and present asthma attacks, understand medications, and help manage symptoms.’ http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/asthma.cfm

Ask a Nurse Site- ‘Every day patients and families call Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics [AANMA] looking for answers to allergy and asthma questions. You may have some of the same questions. Check our FAQ section for some commonly asked questions.’ Or call Patient Support Center, staffed by Carol Jones, a registered nurse and certified asthma educator with many years of helping patients and families. Call toll-free: 1-800-315-8056 Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 8 AM-5 PM or Fridays 9 AM-12N. http://www.aanma.org

Speak with your child’s health care provider for any breathing difficulty or other changes:
• Evidence of infection, sore throat or swollen, painful neck glands.
• A fever above 100 ° F; face hot and flushed.
• Peak flow meter readings that are not near his target number after medication.
• Wheezing that continues to be labored 30 minutes after medication.
• Weakness or tiredness that makes it hard to take part in usual daily activities.

Summer Safety and Danger Zones in the Home
Check out Parents.com for summer safety information along with what you should know about medications in your home, play dates and pools. We are learning that much of the prescription and over-the-counter drugs our youth are experimenting with are available from their homes for the taking. http://www.parents.com/big-kids/health/other-safety-issues/6-summer-safety-rules/?page=2

Kidica Information Site
‘This website is an independent information guide that is written, edited and maintained by Mezi Media in partnership with Moxy Media, a leading publisher of online consumer information guides. Our goal is to provide factual, up-to-date information and shopping advice to online consumers. This site does not sell products directly and is not affiliated with any individual manufacturer.’ http://www.kidica.com/about.aspx


Sun Basics: Slip, Slop, Slap [slip on shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat]
Having fun in the sun means protect your skin and cover up until the sun goes down. The suns’s rays are very strong and research has shown skin cancer as an adult correlates to sunburns in childhood.

Read a quip when it is OK to be like a lobster, why a turtle doesn’t need to slip, slop and slap, and why a tiger is a cool cat! http://www.ok.gov/health/documents/Sun%20Basics%20for%20Kids.pdf

Fun and Educational Websites for Kids
Arcademic Skill Builders
Delightful- ‘Arcademic Skill Builders are research-based and standards-aligned educational games that offer an innovative approach to teaching basic academic skills. We incorporate features of arcade games and educational practices into fun online games that will engage, motivate, and teach your students.’ ‘Arcademic Skill Builders are online educational video games that offer a powerful approach to learning basic math, language arts, vocabulary, and
hinking skills.’ www.arcademicskillbuilders.com

Gamequarium
This is a portal to 2000+ free online learning games and activities for prekindergarten through grade 6. Readquarium, a section of Gamequarium, will help your child with reading skills. Click on ‘Changes to Gamequarium’ for an update on what this site offers. http://gamequarium.com.

Last Modified: Apr 11, 2010