Tips for a healthy start to the school year Screenings, vaccines, washing hands can go a long way toward keeping students well BY MARY MEEHAN LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER
W
hether your child is going off to college for the first time or just entering kindergarten, schools seem to be incubators for illness. Before the new school year starts, and even when it does, here are a few things you should know about keeping your child safe and healthy. Before school starts …
College students
• Students planning to live on campus will likely need up-to-date immunizations including the meningococcal (meningitis) vaccine. Check with a primary care doctor and the school
to determine which vaccines are needed. For students who smoke or have a history of asthma, diabetes, liver disease or immune suppression should also consider a pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine. Physicians may recommend the HPV vaccine for females and males up to age 26. • Flu vaccine is recommended for children and adults, especially college students living in dorms. The flu vaccine typically becomes available in around September or October.
nation is required within one-year of entry into the sixth grade, along with another series of vaccinations. • Students planning to participate in sports should schedule a sports physical. • An annual physical can help identify and track potential health concerns.
Once school starts …
• Encourage children of all ages to wash their hands, especially after using the bathroom. Provide anti-bacterial soap for when kids can’t access soap Students in kindergarten and water. through 12th grade • As much as possible encourage your child not to share cups and • Before entering school, many jurisdictions require proof of an pre- utensils and to clean their hands after using communal tools, like scisventative health care examination, sors. an eye examination and a dental • Not contributing to the germy screening conducted a year before school begins. Also, check with your environment is important so encourprimary care doctor for required vac- age others to cover their cough. • If child has a temperature of cines. Children will need proof of more than 100 degrees, keep them vaccination before entering school. • A preventative health care exami- home. This will not only help them
recover more quickly but also keep them from getting other kids sick, which will cycle back to you. They need to be fever-free for 24 hours without medication before they return to school. • Help your student get enough sleep, eat a proper diet and make sure they are getting vitamin supplements as needed. This will help maintain their overall health.
At home … • If possible keep the sick person in your house away from others while they are contagious, which can be a total of five to seven days before and after there are symptoms. • Just like at school, the sick person should cover his or her mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash. • Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.
Dinwiddie County Public Schools REGISTER YOUR CHILD BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL Dinwiddie County Public Schools will no longer register students on the first day of school. Parents who have not registered their child/children before the opening of school will be able to pick up a registration packet. At this time an appointment will be scheduled to complete the formal registration process. Parents are encouraged to register students prior to the opening of school.
MEET THE TEACHER ELEMENTARY MEET THE TEACHER DAY will be held at all Elementary Schools on Thursday, August 29, 2013 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE will be held on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Fees may be paid during Open House. Student fees are $15.00. Gym Suit fee is $13.00. HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE will be held on Thursday, August 29, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Fee can be paid the week of August 12 -15, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Student fees are $15.00. Gym Suit fee is $13.00. Permanent Parking Pass is $25.00. Driving Range fee is $100.00. Middle and High School fees are now accepted online using your Visa or MasterCard charge/debit card at: www.osp.osmsinc.com/DinwiddieVA. A non-refundable processing fee of 4% plus an additional .35 cents of your total order will be applied to all purchases. If you have questions regarding Online Student Payments, please call the bookkeeper.
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Elementary Schools
Grades
Phone Number
Principal
Dinwiddie Elementary School 13811 Boydton Plank Rd., Dinwiddie, VA 23841
K-5
(804) 469-4580
Mrs. Danielle Moore-Winn
Midway Elementary School 5511 Midway Rd., Church Rd., VA 23833
K-5
(804) 265-4205
Mrs. Kathy Burgess
Sutherland Elementary School 6000 R. B. Pamplin Drive, Sutherland, VA 23885
K-5
(804) 732-4168
Mrs. Becky Baskerville
Southside Elementary School 10305 Boydton Plank Rd., Dinwiddie, VA 23841
K-5
(804) 469-4480
Mrs. L. Michelle Jones
Sunnyside Elementary School P.O. Box 250, 10203 Melvin B. Alsbrooks Avenue McKenney, VA 23872
K-5
(804) 478-2313
Mrs. Wanda Snodgrass
Secondary Schools
Grades
Phone Number
Principal
Dinwiddie Co. Middle School P.O. Box 340, 11608 Courthouse Road Dinwiddie, VA 23841
6-8
(804) 469-5430
Mr. Alfred Cappellanti
Dinwiddie Co. Senior High School P.O. Box 299, 11501 Boisseau Road Dinwiddie, VA 23841
9-12
(804) 469-4280
Mr. Randall Johnson
“Making the Difference” • Dinwiddie County Public Schools • “Our Children, Our Pride”
Sunday, August 11, 2013 The Progress-Index, Petersburg, VA
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