September School Nurse Newsletter: What to Communicate

September brings the first wave of school-year illness. Children who spent summer in relative isolation return to a building with 400 other children and begin sharing every virus in the region. The September nurse newsletter prepares families for what to expect and how to protect their households.

The September Illness Wave: What to Expect

Give families realistic expectations: "Every September, the clinic sees a noticeable increase in illness visits starting around week three. Colds and respiratory infections increase dramatically as children return to group settings after summer. Most of these illnesses are minor and resolve on their own. The best defense is consistent handwashing, adequate sleep, and keeping sick children home when they meet the exclusion criteria."

Exclusion Policy: Clear and Specific

Repeat the exclusion criteria from August and add seasonal specifics for September: "Keep your child home if they have any of the following: fever of 100 degrees or higher (must be fever-free 24 hours without medication before returning), vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours, pinkeye with discharge, strep throat until 24 hours on antibiotics, or any rash that hasn't been evaluated by a doctor. If your child complains of a sore throat and fever together, please have them tested for strep before returning to school."

Hand Hygiene: The Single Most Effective Prevention Tool

The evidence is clear and the message is simple: "Handwashing before eating, after using the restroom, after blowing their nose, and after recess is the most effective single behavior for reducing illness transmission in school. We reinforce this with students daily. Your reminder at home doubles the impact. The technique matters: soap, 20 seconds of scrubbing (the time it takes to hum 'Happy Birthday' twice), complete rinse, dry with a clean towel or disposable paper."

Head Lice: Factual and Stigma-Free

Address head lice directly rather than waiting for an outbreak: "Head lice are common in elementary schools and are not related to cleanliness. They spread through direct head-to-head contact and occasionally through shared hats, brushes, or headphones. Signs to watch for: itching at the scalp, neck, or behind the ears; small white or yellowish oval-shaped nits (eggs) attached to hair shafts close to the scalp. If you find evidence of lice, contact the school clinic. We will provide a protocol for treatment. Our policy is that students who have been treated may return to school the following day."

Template Excerpt: September School Nurse Newsletter

From the School Clinic - September

Three weeks in and the clinic is getting busy. This is completely normal for September. Here is what you need to know.

Flu shots: Flu season typically peaks December through February. The CDC recommends vaccination in September or October for best protection. The county health department is offering free flu shots every Saturday in September from 9 AM to noon at the Community Center on Route 9. No appointment needed. Flu shots are the single best tool we have to reduce illness during the winter months.

Vision and hearing screenings: Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades will have screenings the week of October 7. No preparation needed from students. You will receive written results within two weeks of the screening date. If your child needs follow-up, I will contact you directly.

Asthma reminder: If your child has asthma and uses a rescue inhaler, please ensure there is a current inhaler and signed medication authorization on file in the clinic. We cannot administer any medication without a current authorization form on file, including inhalers. Forms are in the main office or downloadable from the school health page.

To reach me: Nurse Williams at nwilliams@jefferson.edu or 555-0200 ext 12.

Asthma Action Plans

September brings increased asthma triggers: mold from fall leaves, ragweed pollen, and increased time indoors with circulating air. Families of asthmatic students should have a current action plan on file: "If your child has asthma, please submit an updated action plan signed by their physician to the clinic by October 1. The action plan tells us your child's specific triggers, their daily medications, and exactly what to do if symptoms occur at school. Without a current plan, we follow a generic protocol that may not match your child's specific needs."