October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Get those mammograms Moms!!!

Flu Shot Clinics

Flu shot clinics being held at the Stoddard County Public Health Center

Monday, Oct 4th
Children's Clinic ages 18 and under
Bring shot record
This is a free clinic
8:30-12:00 & 1:00 - 4:00

Wed/Thurs Oct 6/7th
Adult Clinic
Fee: $20.00
8:30-12:00 & 1:00-4:00

WELCOME BACK WILDCATS!!!!

Registration - August 12th

Registration for all Bloomfield School buildings will begin on August 12th.

For Health:

Please sign and date the Over the Counter Medication Form
*stating it is permitted or not permitted to give your child over the counter medications such as ibuprofen or tylenol

If your student is going to be taking medication at school, please bring that to my office on Open House evening, August 16th.

Make sure all immunizations are up to date.

Please be sure to make me aware of any new health concerns or updates on previous health concerns.

Sunscreen and Safety By Vincent Iannelli, M.D.

What is the best sunscreen for kids?
When choosing a sunscreen for their baby, toddler, or young child, parents typically make their choice on a sunscreen using only a few characteristics:

* the highest SPF they can find, typically 50+
* a kids' brand (Banana Boat Kids, Coppertone Kids, Coppertone Waterbabies, Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby, etc.)

While it is fine to use these, they are really not that much different from those that are made for adults, so you don't really have to buy a separate sunscreen just for your kids.

Remember that a sunscreen isn't better just because it is more expensive.
Best Sunscreen
Things to look for that would indicate that you are buying one of the 'best sunscreens,' include that it:

* provides broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection.
* has an SPF of at least 15 to 30. You could go for a higher SPF, but most experts believe that they don't provide that much extra protection. Some experts go as far as to say the SPF rating should be capped at 30.
* is water resistant. Even if you aren't going swimming, if your child is outside, he will likely be sweating, so a water resistant might provide better protection than a regular sunscreen.
* is hypoallergenic and fragrance free, especially if your child has sensitive skin.
* is in a form that is easy to use on your child, whether that means it is a gel, lotion, spray, continuous spray, etc.

Broad Spectrum Sunscreens
Unfortunately, many sunscreens that say that they are broad spectrum really aren't or don't block rays from the full UVA spectrum. To get good protection from UVA rays, look for sunscreens that list avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide as ingredients.
Sunscreen Ingredients
If your child gets a rash from his sunscreen, you might review the ingredient's list and choose a different one next time. Make sure to choose one that is PABA free. You might also look for one that gets its UVA protection from a sunblock, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, since they can be less irritating than avobenzone, a common sunscreen ingredient.

Be sure to apply it to just a small area of your child's skin if you think he might have a reaction to the new sunscreen too.

Kid-Friendly Sunscreen and Sunblock
Sunscreen and sunblock that have all of the characteristics that you would look for to protect your kids from the sun include:

* Banana Boat Baby Tear-Free Continous Spray Sunblock, SPF 50
* Banana Boat Baby Tear-Free Sunblock Lotion, SPF 50
* Banana Boat Baby Faces Sunblock Stick, SPF 50
* Banana Boat Kids Dri-Blok Sunblock Lotion, SPF 30
* Banana Boat Kids Tear-Free Sunblock, SPF 50
* Banana Boat UltraMist Kids Spray, SPF 50
* Blue Lizard Australian Suncream, SPF 30
* Bull Frog Kids FastBlast Sunblock Spray, SPF 36
* Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
* Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Continuous Spray, SPF 50
* Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Continuous Spray, SPF 70+
* Coppertone WaterBabies Quick Cover Lotion Spray, SPF 50
* Coppertone WaterBabies Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
* Coppertone WaterBabies Sunscreen Lotion Spray, SPF 50
* Hawaiian Tropic Baby Faces & Tender Places Sunblock Spray, SPF 50+
* Neutrogena Kids Spray Waterguard Sunblock Mist, SPF 70+
* Neutrogena Waterguard Kids Sunblock Lotion, SPF 70+
* Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunblock Lotion, SPF 60+

New Immunization Law

Bloomfield Public Schools would like to inform parents/guardians, the
Missouri Immunization Law has changed for the 2010 - 2011 school year.

The new requirements are as follows: "A 'Tdap' vaccine (a tetanus
booster with pertussis) is required for students enrolled in grade eight
(8) who have completed the recommended child hood DTP/DTaP vaccination
series and have not received a Td booster dose within the past two (2)
years."

Please provide the school health room with an updated copy of your
child's immunization record, including the current 'Tdap'.

If your child needs this immunization please contact your physician or
clinic. If your child receives this immunization, please forward the
information signed by your health care provider to me or you can fax it to 568-4563.

Bloomfield Schools will also be hosting a FREE immunization clinic this year
with the Stoddard County Health Department on May 4th. We recommend that all students entering 8th grade and those that are in need of a Tdap before 12/31/2010 receive the immunization.

Missouri Immunization Law states "All students must present
documentation of up-to-date immunization status, including month, day
and year for each immunization before they can attend school."
(www.dhss.mo.gov)

Again:  All students entering 8th grade are required to receive a 'Tdap' if they have not had one in the past two years before school starts August 2010.

Children with Disabilities may be able to receive adaptive computer equipment

Did You Know...???

Children with disabilities you work with may be able to receive adaptive computer equipment.



TAP for Internet is a program that can provide adaptive equipment and software needed by Missourians of any age who have difficulties using the internet or e-mail because of their disability.

a.. A child with Cerebral Palsy who can't hit the keys on a standard keyboard may need an alternative keyboard with a large strike area. If he can't use a typical mouse, he may need an adapted mouse or other pointing device.
b.. A child with Autism or a learning disability may need a touch screen to access their favorite web pages.
c.. A child with low vision or who is blind may need software that can enlarge web text or that can read what is on their computer screen.
All of these and other adaptive devices are available at no cost through TAP for Internet, a program of Missouri Assistive Technology (MoAT). The requirements for the program are: Missouri residency; the home must already have a computer and internet service; household income must be under $60,000 for two people in the household, but may be higher for a larger household size. Go to the MoAT link below for more information.



http://www.at.mo.gov/tap_internet.html



Good News: The application process is fairly simple and involves completion of a one-page, two-sided form. What if the applicant or parents don't know what adaptive equipment or software is needed? The program can provide help in its selection and in training the child and family on its use. Questions? -- Check out the website or contact Roselie Backer-Thompson at MoAT at 800-647-8557 or via e-mail at RoselieB.Thompson@att.net

February....

Happy Dental Health Month!!!

This month we had Healthy Smiles in school oral health program visit our school on Feb 3rd. 12 students were seen in which there were xrays, fillings, cleanings and sealants completed. We were thrilled to have them come assist our student in their dental health. They will return on March 9th and 10th to finish up our elementary students. If you are interested in their program they have a website: www.reachouthealthcare.com.

On Feb 17th McGuire Orthodontics will be here to do a screening on grades K-2 and will return on March 3rd to complete grades 3-5. We are so excited that professional members of our community are supporting our students.

STREP!!!!

This nasty bug has hit us hard this week! Here's a little info on strep....

Symptoms of strep throat, which is very common among kids and teens, include fever, stomach pain, and red, swollen tonsils.

Strep throat usually requires treatment with antibiotics. With the proper medical care — along with plenty of rest and fluids — a child should be back to school and play within a few days.
How Strep Throat Spreads

Anybody can get strep throat, but it's most common in school-age kids and teens. These infections occur most often during the school year when big groups of kids and teens are in close quarters.

The bacteria that cause strep throat (group A streptococcus) tend to hang out in the nose and throat, so normal activities like sneezing, coughing, or shaking hands can easily spread infection from one person to another.

That's why it's so important to teach kids the importance of hand washing — good hygiene can lessen their chances of getting contagious diseases like strep throat.
Strep Throat vs. Sore Throat

Not all sore throats are strep throats. Most episodes of sore throat — which can be accompanied by a runny nose, cough, hoarseness, and red eyes — are caused by viruses and usually clear up on their own without medical treatment.

A child with strep throat will start to develop other symptoms within about 3 days, such as:

* red and white patches in the throat
* difficulty swallowing
* tender or swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the neck
* red and enlarged tonsils
* headache
* lower stomach pain
* fever
* general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling
* loss of appetite and nausea
* rash

If your child has a sore throat and other strep throat symptoms, call your doctor. The doctor will likely do a rapid strep test in the office, using a cotton swab to take a sample of the fluids at the back of the throat. The test only takes about 5 minutes.

Treatment

In most cases, doctors prescribe about 10 days of antibiotic medication to treat strep throat. Within about 24 hours after starting on antibiotics, your child will probably no longer have a fever and won't be contagious. By the second or third day after taking antibiotics, the other symptoms should start to go away, too.

Even when feeling better, your child should finish the antibiotics as prescribed. If he or she stops taking antibiotics too soon, bacteria can remain in the throat and symptoms can return.

A person whose strep throat isn't treated is most infectious when the symptoms are the most severe but could remain contagious for up to 21 days. Lack of treatment — or not finishing the prescribed course of antibiotics — also can put someone at risk for other health problems, such as rheumatic fever (which can cause permanent damage to the heart), scarlet fever, blood infections, or kidney disease.

To prevent your sick child from spreading strep throat to others in your home, keep his or her eating utensils, dishes, and drinking glasses separate from others' and wash them in hot, soapy water after each use. Also, make sure your child doesn't share food, drinks, napkins, handkerchiefs, or towels with other family members.