Soaring
Page 11
This & That
"Ins & Outs" of the Health Office Medication Procedure SCA will adhere to the following procedures recommended by the Missouri State Health Department when dispensing medication: • All prescription medication must be in the original container
to help prevent back and neck problems all together. Please go to http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/backpack.html to find out more. COVID-19 Procedure With the rules constantly changing, we encourage you to
and labeled with the child’s name, physician’s name, and
reach out to us with any questions, concerns, or any symptoms
written instructions.
your student is having BEFORE you COVID test. Students need
• All medication must be checked in at the Health Office by
to stay home for any high risk symptoms: new cough, difficulty
a parent/guardian, and the proper paperwork filled out.
breathing, loss of taste/smell, OR two or more moderate risk
Students may NOT be in possession of prescription OR over-
symptoms: fever of 100.4 or higher, congestion/runny nose,
the-counter medication while on school grounds without
nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, sore throat, headache, muscle or
being first approved through the Health Office.
body aches. With symptoms, students will need to do one of
Backpack Safety Many things can lead to back pain — like playing sports or
three things: • Quarantine for 10 days from onset of symptoms, returning
exercising a lot, poor posture while sitting, and long periods
day 11 as long as symptoms are improving and they have
of inactivity. But some kids have backaches because they’re
been fever free for 24 hours without medication.
lugging around their entire locker’s worth of books, school supplies, and personal items all day long. Doctors and physical therapists recommend that kids carry
• Your student has a negative PCR or antigen test taken on day 5 or later, and if negative they may return day 8. • Your student sees a provider and returns with a note
no more than 10-15% of their body weight in their packs. But
stating they are cleared to return to school (NO COVID test
many carry a lot more than that. When a heavy backpack is
needed).
incorrectly placed on the shoulders, the weight’s force can
Please see email with guidelines sent out by Mr. Hahn at the
pull a child backward. To compensate, the child might bend
beginning of school for full policy and details. We are here to
forward at the hips or arch the back. This can make the spine
help! Please reach out to us! Please email all three of us as we
compress unnaturally, leading to shoulder, neck, and back pain.
do not all work every day.
Kids who wear their backpacks over just one shoulder — as
Now is the time to get your flu shot. The flu vaccine is the
many do, because they think it looks better or just feels easier
best way to prevent the flu. MYTH - You can get the flu from
— may end up leaning to one side to offset the extra weight.
the flu vaccine. Another great way to prevent the flu is to teach
They might develop lower and upper back pain and strain their
your child how to wash their hands and remind them to do this
shoulders and neck.
often, as well as keeping their hands off their face.
Improper backpack use can also lead to bad posture. Girls
We hope you’ve had an amazing and refreshing summer!
and younger kids may be especially at risk for backpack-related injuries because they’re smaller and may carry loads that are heavier in proportion to their body weight. Also, backpacks with tight, narrow straps that dig into the shoulders can interfere with circulation and nerves. These types of straps can lead to tingling, numbness, and weakness in the arms and hands. Bulky or heavy backpacks don’t just cause back injuries. There are many other safety issues to consider and guidelines
Your SCA Health Clinic Staff Noelle Rhyne, RN, BSN nrhyne@sca-kc.org Erin Rider, RN, BSN, MSN erider@sca-kc.org Tiffany Summitt, MEd tsummitt@sca-kc.org
