At the beginning of the year, you will be asked to complete an emergency card for each of your children. This is our way of knowing any medical condition that your child has and also provides us with your permission to have your child transported and treated in the emergency room in the event of an emergency. It is your responsibility to keep your contact information updated throughout the year. If your information changes, you accept a new job or you decide to only use a cell phone or your emergency contact people change their information, please contact the office and let us know.
If you know your child has a medical condition that will require assistance while at school, please let me know. These might include diabetes, asthma, severe allergies, or seizures, for example. You will be asked to have a health treatment plan completed by your doctor, which will provide us a plan of action to follow that will be consistent with what you and your doctor are already doing for your child. If your child will require medications while at school, PWCS requires the proper forms be completed. All medication must be provided and transported by the parent or an adult.
Health treatment plans must be updated annually. New plans are available online as well as in the clinic. If you have any questions feel free to email me or to call and I will be happy to help you.
Early Eye Exams
Early diagnosis of eye disease is crucial to the effective treatment and development of a child. A doctor will check the child's vision at birth and again during the first year. With the doctor's recommendation, the next exam should be done at 3 years old, then between the ages of 4 and 5, before entering kindergarten. If at any time, you or the doctor feels there might be a problem, you can make an appointment with a pediatric ophthalmologist.
In the first year of life the pediatric ophthalmologist, pediatrician, or family doctor will check for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, amblyopia, eye movement ability, proper eye alignment, how the eye reacts to changes in light and darkness, and any general eye problems.
If you would like for me at any time, to do a screening on your child I will be happy to do that. In school screenings are very helpful but do not substitute for a full exam. Please call the school at 703-580-6501 or email me at Griggsnc@pwcs.edu.
Clinic Supplies
Did you know that you can receive donation credit for bringing in supplies for the clinic? The following items are easily available and "priceless" in the clinic:
- Reclosable bags-snack, sandwich, or quart size
- Shoe laces - flat (round ones are harder to tie) brown, black, or white for tennis shoes
- Tissues (the more the better)
- Small sized drinking cups (4-5 ozs)
- New or slightly used belts
- New or slightly used unisex sweats, both pants and shirts
THANK YOU!
Healthy Snacks
At Porter we aim to foster good health and fitness lifestyles. We encourage our children to add activity to the normal day by offering a chance for them to exercise before lunch, and to make the most of milers club and recess times. Food services has revamped their menus in the past few years to offer more choices of fruits and vegetables. Now, we look to you to help us.
Children love to celebrate their birthdays at school and we want them to have their special day, too. But instead of sending high calorie, sometimes very large portioned snacks, we encourage you to send something nutritious or to arrange a time with the teacher and bring a book to school to read to the class. How about asking the teacher if there is a special "something" you could donate to the class in his/her name? We have a list of nutritious snacks available for you to choose from as well as some items you could purchase in place of food that would be fun, too. Be a role model for good habits.
Cold and Flu Season is Upon Us
Cold and flu season is well underway and we are experiencing the effects of the many viruses including seasonal flu, the common cold and the novel H1N1 flu. The CDC directs all persons to be extra mindful of good hygiene.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Wash you hands frequently or use the hand sanitizer if water and soap are not available
- Throw away used tissues and do not pocket them
- Allow your self room between people to avoid contact with germs
- Avoid touching your face (nose, mouth, and eyes)
- Stay home and keep your children home when signs of illness appear
- Be fever free without medicines 24 hours before returning to work and school
If your child is sick with any illness and has vomiting, diarrhea or a fever greater than 100.0, the child must be free of any of these symptoms for 24 hours, without the use of medications, before they can return to school.