Brite Star Health & Nutrition "The Bug"

The Bug A Brite Star Health & Nutrition Copyright © 2023 by The Brite Star Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c)3 All rights reserved.

Published by The Brite Star Foundation, Inc. 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway Suite 338 Las Vegas, Nevada 89141 Vincent W. Goett, Publisher ISBN Paperback

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When the kids arrived at Brite Star School to begin their day Missy noticed that her friend Marge was not there. “Ms. Betty where isMarge?” asked Missy.

“Marge is at home with the flu,” replied Ms. Betty.

“What’s the flu?” Miles asked. “It sounds like a bug.”

“Well, it kind of is a bug that gets in your body and makes you sick,” said Hudson.

“Hudson is right. The flu comes from a germ that gets in your body and makes you feel bad,” said Ms. Betty.

“Where do germs come from, Ms. Betty?”asked Leo. “What do these germs do to you?”

“After recess we have a surprise. You can ask questions and find out everything about the flu,” Ms. Betty said. The kids wondered what the surprise would be.

“Really the flu is a germ that gets in your body and makes you feel bad,” said Ms.Betty.

“Where do germs come from Ms. Betty?”asked Leo. “What do these germs do to you?”

“Well Leo, after recess you and the class will be able to ask all the questions you want,” said Ms. Betty.

The kids looked at one another wondering what Ms. Betty meant.

The kids went out to the playground for recess, still thinking about Marge and herflu.

“We should do something for Marge,” said Missy.

“Yes, but what?” Stellaasked.

“Maybe we could bake her some cookies or take her some books to read,” saidMissy.

“I’ll bake thecookies,” Miles yelled. Everyone laughed.

“Okay, let’s be serious,” said Hudson. He pulled apad out ofhis pocket and began making a list.

“Missy you handle the cookies.”

“Since I’m the smartest, I’ll get the books.”

“Miles you get some chocolate candy. That’sMarge’s favorite.”

“Recess is over,” Ms. Betty called. “Let’s go inside,I have a surprise for you.”

The kids were excited to find out what the surprise was.

“What do you think it is Missy?” asked Landon.

“Well Ms. Betty said we would have all our answers after recess, so it must have something to do with the flu,” Missysaid.

“Aspecial friend is visiting. . . .”

Before Ms. Betty could finish Miles shouted, “It’s Nurse Susan!”

Everyone cheered! They all loved Nurse Susan. They remembered when she came to the party they gave for people in Brite Star who helped others.

“Well, hello Miles. Hello kids,” NurseSusan said.

“It’s great to see you again, Nurse Susan,” said Miles.

“Nurse Susan, is the flu serious?” asked Miles.

“It can be if you don’t take care of yourself,” said Nurse Susan.

“A friend of mine had to go to Brite Star Hospital to get special help when he got the flu,” said Miles. The other children weresurprised.

“The hospital?” said Missy.

“Yes, if you don’t take care of yourself you may need to go to the hospital,” said Nurse Susan.

“There are many kinds of flu. Some of them can be very serious. Today we are going to talk about what you can do to prevent the flu,” Nurse Susan said.

“I sure wish Marge was here to hear this,” said Missy.

“She has the flu and is sick at home.”

“Yes, I know,” Nurse Susan said. “Ms. Betty asked if I could explain what you can each do to help protect yourselves from the flu. We’ll also talk about things Marge can do while she is at home.”

Nurse Susan began writing alist on thechalkboard: 1. Always wash your hands with soap after going to the bathroom, before and after eating and when you come in from playing.

2. Avoid touching your face.

“Wow, that’s all pretty easy,” saidHudson.

“It is. But you’d be surprised how many kids and grownups don’t do these easy things,” saidNurse Susan.

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“Now let’s go over the next important rules,” said Nurse Susan.

3.Always cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and then wash your hands again using soap.

4.If you have any flu symptoms, tell your mom or dad.

“What are symptoms?” asked Alexander.

“There are several: One is a fever, that’swhen you feel hot. Others are a runnynose, sore throat, muscle and joint pain, headache, coughing,and feeling tired.”

“Wow that’s a lot of symptoms,” said Miles.

“Yes, it is Miles. Your parents will keep an eye on you and if needed they will bring you to Brite Star Hospital for a checkup,” replied NurseSusan.

“Finally, do what Marge did -- when you’re sick, stay home and don’t give the bug to your friends,” Nurse Susan said, adding Number 5to the list.

5.Stay home “I knew it was a bug!” shouted Miles. Everyone laughed!

“It has been a lot of fun seeing you all again.

Remember these important rules to stay healthy,” said Nurse Susan.

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Marge’s mom came into Marge’s room carrying abig bag of gifts.

“Your school friends dropped off all of these things for you. They want to say hello,” she told Marge.

“But they can’t. You said I have to stay away from school until I’m well,”Marge said sadly.

“That’s true but . . . look out the window,” Mom said.

Marge looked out the window and saw her classmates standing on the lawn with a big sign that said, “Get Better Marge, We MissYou!” Marge smiled a big smile and waved to her friends.

Think AboutIt 1. Why does Marge have tostay home from school?

2. What things did her friends think of bringing to Marge?

3. What was the first thing Nurse Susan put on the list for staying well?

4. What are some of the symptoms of flu?

5. What did the kids do that made Marge smile?

Let’s Work Together!

Winning is always the most fun. But, no one wins all the time. Doing your best

with all your energy is best whether its sports or music or art or whatever you do.

I will...

• Practice my skill so I can do mybest.

• Be a good sport whether I win orlose.

• Encourage and cheer for others.

Show that you are a good friend and a good sport by cheering for and encouraging your opponents. Be willing to compliment them when they do something good. Understand that being a good person is more importantthan winning. What kind of person you are shows the most when you are a good

sport.