A Note from Nurse Chelsea
Hello St. Joseph School Families!
I am looking forward to this upcoming school year and excited to be a part of the St. Joseph Community. I plan to make it a healthy and happy year. There are many ways we can make this happen. Remember, Healthy students are successful students!
ESTABLISH HEALTHY HABITS EARLY TO ENSURE YOUR CHILD’S SUCCESS
Instilling healthy habits and routines (adequate sleep/nutrition) and consistent attendance ensures a student’s success in school even as early as kindergarten. We know that too many absences/tardies, for whatever reason, can cause children to fall behind both academically and socially. To help ensure healthy habits consult with your health care provider regarding well-visits and immunizations. Also:
- HANDWASHING, HANDWASHING, HANDWASHING. It is the best way to prevent the spread of illness.
- Get the appropriate vaccines.
- Stay home if you are sick (so you do not spread the illness to other people). Report the illness to the school office.
- If your child tests positive for COVID-19 and experiences symptoms, it is recommended that they follow MDH guidelines which include staying home for a minimum of five full days from the date symptoms started or the date you took the test if you don’t have symptoms. Upon return to school, face masks are recommended and respected, but not required.
- Use a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your arm, not your hand and turn away from other people.
- Use single-use tissues. Dispose of the tissue immediately.
- Wash your hands after coughing, sneezing or using tissues.
- Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands (viruses can enter your body from unwashed hands).
- Do not share cups, glasses, dishes, or cutlery.
Thank you for your cooperation and partnership in helping keep our school healthy. Some friendly reminders, please note that St. Joseph School does not allow cough drops or throat lozenges as they are a choking hazard (please refer to the school handbook). Students may not carry medication in their backpacks unless they have a signed consent in the nurse’s office to do so. Please see me if this is an issue as I will be happy to provide you with the appropriate forms. Please do not hesitate to call or email with any health concerns throughout the school year.
Stay healthy!
Chelsea Hall, RN, LSN, PHN
Chelsea.hall@district196.org
MDH Influenza Symptom Screening Tool for Parents and Caregivers
7th Grade Student Immunization Requirements
All 7th grade in the fall will need to meet the immunization requirements set by the MN Dept. of Health. By law, before the first day of 7th grade, students will need to have received:
- Tdap booster vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, AND Pertussis) at age 11 years or later. If a child received Tdap at age 7-10 years, another dose is not needed at 11-12 years. However, if it was only a Td, a Tdap dose at age 11-12 is required.
- Meningoccocal vaccine
- OR a physician-signed Medical Exemption or parent-signed/notarized Conscientious Exemption if you choose not to immunize.
To see if your student is ready for 7th grade this fall, click on the link for guidelines:
- Are your kids ready?
- Authorization for Administration of Prescription Medication at School
- Authorization for Student Possession & Self-Medication with Inhaler/EpiPen/Insulin at School
- Medication Policy
- Student Immunization Form
Email Nurse Chelsea Hall.
Wellness Policy
All St. Joseph School stakeholders can contact our Food Service Manager or Principal if you would like to participate in the development, review, update, and implementation or our wellness policy. Our wellness policy is reviewed and updated every three years.