April during our time at home

Hello Jefferson families.

I hope during this time you all are feeling well and adjusting to

 this new way of life.

Please note that there are daily postings by the district nurses

 on the Morning Announcements.  Archives of previous postings

can be found by clicking on the upper left-hand corner on 

the page.

Be safe, stay well and I hope to see your student soon!

Most sincerely,

Mrs. Zenna

Dental Health Month

We were fortunate to have Dr. Arismendi and Monica from Arlington Family and Cosmetic Dental Associates come and give an oral health presentation to our Kindergarten classes.

The students enjoyed hearing about the Tooth Defenders and how to fight plaque and cavities by brushing well, flossing and eating healthy foods.

They were also given a goodie bag to take home.

All month, students have heard a dental health tip on the morning announcements and the health office showcase has had dental health information posted all month.  Currently, they are looking at favorite beverages and seeing how much sugar is in each one.

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Just a reminder during cold and flu season~

🤭

January

Welcome to cold and flu season.

Pre K, K , 1st and 2nd grades have had a "germ lesson" about the importance of handwashing, cough etiquette and not sharing germs.

Here is a chart to help you know if it's cold or flu.  Stay well!

A very heartfelt thank you to anyone that donated to our Second Chance Toys plastic toy drive. Many toys were collected to share with Norwescap Headstart in Denville, NJ.

November

NOVEMBER

This month is a reminder for us to be grateful
for all of the positive things in our lives.


Shop-Rite came into our Pre School classes to read, The Hungry Caterpillar and discussed healthy eating.
November 19th at 7pm in our media center, Shop Rite will be here to hold a Pre School parent program about healthy eating and healthy snacks for Pre Schoolers.

Pre School parents please join us!!

I have been working on doing the vision and hearing screening of 1st grade students. I have also gone into 1st grade classrooms to read a story called, "Germs Make Me Sick!", by Melvin Berger. We then discussed germs, how they spread and how to keep ourselves well.  We reviewed how to properly wash our hands and cough into our elbows.  We also did a fun activity where two students get a little vaseline and cinnamon on their hands to show how it might look if we could actually see germs with our eyes. They then high five or shake hands with their classmates to show how easily the "germs" are spread from person to person.

Please remember to keep your students home if they have a temperature >100 degrees, have vomited or had diarrhea. We have a district policy that students must be fever free and free of vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school.

PRE K PARENT/GUARDIANS: Please remember to submit documentation of the flu vaccination prior to the holiday break. NJ Law requires this documentation into the Health Office by 12/31/19 for all PreK students who have NOT turned 5 years old by December 31st.

Health Office Vision and Hearing Screenings

Health Screenings

Halloween is a good time to learn how healthy eating and exercise helps our bones to be strong.

Each student has their height and weight recorded the first two weeks of school.

Vision and hearing screening is performed on all students Pre K-4th grade. Parents will be notified if the results are not within the normal ranges. (NJ Law does not require it done yearly for all grade levels), Blood pressure is obtained when the student comes for the vision and hearing screening.

Hearing:
If a student does not pass the hearing screening, it will be repeated within a few weeks and then you will be notified if they did not pass again. You will be notified if wax appears to be blocking the ear canal.

Pre K students are screened using the Ero-Scan machine which is an automatic screening device that indicates "pass, fail or refer".
Kindergarten-4th grade students sit for an audiometer screening.

Vision:
The referral level for far vision is 20/40, or if there is a two step difference between the eyes. For example, left eye 20/30 and right eye 20/50.
Muscle balance referral is for a student does not pass at near and far distances.
Please understand that a referral does not mean that your student requires glasses. It means that an eye exam by an eye doctor to exam vision and check eye health is warranted. A report will be sent home and it is appreciated that you have your eye doctor fill in the form and then return it to the Health Office.

Pre K students are screened using a Good-Lite shape board. Verbal skills are not required as shape matching is utilized. Your student's paraprofessionals are instrumental in assisting the nurse with this screening.

Generally, screening is started in October for any Kindergarten student who did not attend the Spring screening session or submit documentation from their physician. Screening continues with 1st Grade-4th grade until April.  You will be notified only if your student does not screen within the normal ranges. Please call the Health Office at 973-584-8957 if you have any questions.

Kindergartners were read a story, "Germs Are Not For Sharing", and we discussed coughing or sneezing into an elbow. They also learned that germs are easily spread through the air and on touch surfaces.  The proper technique for handwashing was reviewed, as well as when it is a good idea to wash hands.