Health Room

Spring is in the air and spring fever is sure to follow. While spring fever is not a reason to miss school, we still need to monitor for symptoms of illnesses that should exclude us from class. COVID-19, flu and the common cold are caused by viruses and can share some similarities like headache, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and runny or stuffy nose. Generally, fever is associated with COVID-19 and the flu and only sometimes with a cold. If you are experiencing a fever of 100 degrees or greater and/or have a cough that cannot be controlled with drinks of water or cough medicine, you should not come to school until cough is controlled with drinks/ medication and you are 24 hours fever-free without aid of medication.

ALLERGY SEASON

Springtime also brings allergy season which can make us feel yucky. Sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny or stuffy nose and sometimes a cough are often associated with seasonal allergies. Respiratory conditions such as asthma can be triggered by things like pollen that causes allergies. The best way to prevent seasonal allergies is to avoid your known triggers. If you’re allergic to pollen, stay inside with windows and doors closed as much as possible when there’s a lot of pollen in the air. Treatment of seasonal allergies may include non-prescription or prescription antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays and decongestants and avoidance of exposure to allergens where possible.

IMMUNIZATIONS

Now is a good time to check with your health care provider or local health department to ensure that your student has the required immunizations as well as the appropriate documentation of immunizations/exemptions in preparation for the upcoming year. The school must have documentation of required vaccinations on file before the first day of school in August. Proof of immunization can be turned in to either school nurse office at any time.

Students Entering Kindergarten

• Must provide the school with documentation of up-to-date immunization status that includes the month, day and year of each required immunization before they can attend school.

• The most recent list of Missouri school immunization requirements has been included in the kindergarten enrollment packets.

• If your child has started a vaccine series but has not completed it prior to the start of school, he/she must have an Immunizaton-In-Progress form on file with the school, stating the appointment date when the next dose is to be given.

Students Entering 8th Grade

Required to receive one dose of the Tdap vaccine and one dose of the Meningococcal vaccine (MCV) prior to the first day of school.

Students Entering 12th Grade

Required to have two doses of the Meningococcal vaccine (MCV) prior to the first day of school unless the first dose was administered after 16 years of age (Immunization-In-Progress cards won’t work for this immunization).

Immunization Tips

Parents with 7th grade and 11th grade students might want to go ahead and take their students to get these vaccines, because they can sometimes be difficult to get in the summer months when demand increases. The Ray County Health Department (RCHD) is a good resource for vaccines and vaccinerelated questions. The RCHD is located in Richmond and can be reached at 816-7765413.

CONTACT INFO

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Tina Murdock, RN at 816-5807272 or Melinda Grimpo, RN at 816-5807279/7270.

WInter Activities’ snApshot

HS WRESTLING

Varsity Boys Dual Record: 10-5

Varsity Girls Dual Record: 9-3

Highlights: The Boys placed 3rd at Districts.

State Qualifiers(11): Brayden Sullard, Laren

Dietz, Dalton McNeal, Drew WIlson, Conner

Menke, Kota Triplett, Payton Vosika, Jordyn

Smith, Madison McFall, Josi Briant, Aliyah Jesse

State Medalists: Conner Menke 4th, Jordyn

Smith 6th

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL

Varsity Record: 11-16

Highlights: LeBlond Tournament Consolation

JV Record: 14-7

Freshmen Record: 7-12

HS GIRLS BASKETBALL

Varsity Record: 15-13