Friday Focus

Don't send your child to school if there's a chance other children could become infected. Sick children must be kept at home for 24 hours after the symptoms have subsided. Begin planning now for what to do when your child is sick.

Planning for Sick Children

"Please keep your sick child at home." It sounds like a logical, no-brainer--right? But it happens all the time. I've often wondered what goes through the mind of a harried/hurried parent that sends their sick child to school. I can certainly tell you what goes through the mind of a teacher (and it's not a very happy thought!).

I believe many parents feel (and hope) that their child will be just fine once they start participating in class.

I had a mother drop her son off for school one morning, telling me as she rushed out the door, "He threw up in the van, but he'll be fine once school gets started." The boy walked into the class and proceeded to vomit several times in several directions. Needless to say, the morning was disrupted, we started very late, the other children were exposed to the virus, our classroom had to get cleaned up and disinfected, and the sick child lay in misery until his mother returned.

The same is true in the classroom setting when a child isn't feeling well; learning isn't happening for that child and other children are being exposed to the "bug."

What's a family to do? Protect your child's health by making sure they have good nutrition, proper rest, exercise and get plenty of sleep. Teach them to wash their hands often, to cover their cough/sneeze, and not share towels, eating utensils, etc.

If your child seems ill, take his temperature and monitor him. If you are in doubt about a symptom, and your family doctor is not available, most hospitals have an Ask-a-Nurse line. Registered Nurses answer the phones and give out free medical advice.

A sick child needs to remain at home so that he/she can recuperate and so that any infection will not be spread at school. Please notify the school when your child will remain at home because of illness. Please remember, a child that is too sick to play outside is too sick to come to school.

If your child has a communicable disease, please notify the school so other families can be notified.

We recognize the difficulty working parents have when their child is sick. However, for the benefit of your child, other children, and teachers, we ask that you find alternative care when your child is sick. Arranging such care before your child has symptoms will avoid a last-minute rush. Please be considerate of other families by not exposing their children to a sick child.

If your child becomes sick at school you will be notified and asked to come immediately to pick up your child. If a parent cannot be reached, the person listed as the emergency contact will be called to take the child home. Children who have a fever, diarrhea, or have been vomiting must be kept at home for 24 hours after the symptoms have subsided. A child taking antibiotics must have been on the medication for over 24 hours before being allowed to return to school.

If your child has any of the symptoms listed below, or is otherwise ill, you will be asked to take your child home:

• sore throat or cough
• fever (100 degrees or above)
• eye infection (conjunctivitis or "pink eye")
• diarrhea--very liquid stools
• cold--sneezing with green mucous discharge
• undiagnosed rash
• vomiting
• ear ache
• headache
• lice

If a communicable disease is present in your child's classroom, each family will receive written information about the illness, including symptoms and the number of days the child should stay at home.

Medications at School

There are times when your child may need medication (either prescription or non-prescription / over-the-counter items) during the day. With your child's heath and safety in mind, California state law specifies that children are not to administer prescription or non-prescription medications to themselves--this includes cough drops and Tylenol.

Any medication to be administered by school personnel must be accompanied by a written statement from the doctor detailing the method, amount, and time schedules by which such medication is to be taken. This form must be accompanied by a statement from the parent or guardian requesting school personnel to assist the student to take the medicine exactly as noted in the physician's note. Forms for these statements are available in the school office and online using the link below.

Please give all medications and consent forms to your child's teacher. Prescription medication must be in the original container with a prescription label stating the exact dosage.

Medications will be returned only to an adult when the time schedule for administering the medicine is finished.

Link to online medication form [PDF]...

Strong Relationships Boost School Success

All children scream for more independence. But connections with parents make kids feel good about themselves. This helps them in school and throughout life. This New year, resolve to build a stronger relationship with your child. Consider doing one of these things:

• Eat at least one meal a day together.
• Have media "blackouts." One night a week, turn off TVs, computers, radios, cell phones, and iPods. Play games together, sing favorite songs, read, tell stories, and talk.
• Check in. When your child expresses her feelings, restate what was said to make sure you understood.
• Count your blessings. Make it a habit to discuss the best things that happen to you each day.
• Have family meetings. Give your child a say in things that affect him/her.
• Plan one-on-one time. Once a week, spend an hour with your child alone. Do something she wants to do.
• Send your child letters, notes, emails, or text messages. Keep them friendly and positive.
• Tell your child that you love and appreciate her.

Find creative ways to build a stronger relationship with your child.

Holiday Happenings

Our school's been a busy place during Christmas Vacation. During most of vacation Mrs. Martell and Mr. Stickney have been providing extended care for children whose families cannot take time off during the holidays.

Mr. Stickney has also been busy "fixing" computers in the computer lab ready for kids to use once school begins on January 9.

Mrs. Ghilardi fell and broke her ankle during vacation. Mrs. Martell will be substituting in grades 1-3 while Mrs. Ghilardi continues to heal at home.

Mrs. Robinson has been busy preparing literature units for her class once school begins next week.

Mr. Stickney and Mr.and Mrs. Carrillo accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Robinson to a premiere of "The End of the Spear," due out in theaters January 20.

Learning to See

A worthy goal for the year 2006 is learning to see.

Have you ever puzzled over those statements in the Bible about people who had eyes but could not see? Tried to figure out the occasional exhortation for people to see things that are right before their eyes? It isn't really that difficult.

We use the same figure of speech still. "Open your eyes, man!" somebody tells his friend. "Can't you see she's in love with you?" Or perhaps it is a parent to a child: "The answer is already there, if you will just open your eyes to see it."

In the Bible and in everyday conversation, statements such as these seldom have anything to do with physical eyesight. The issue isn't glasses, contacts, or laser surgery. It almost always has to do with perception and understanding. It is the sort of seeing we have in mind with the word "insight."

Using 2006 as a learn-to-see year is a suggestion that each of us resolve to view reality more spiritually. Yes, we pray for the kingdom to come. But we can do more in the meanwhile than just tread water. We can submit to spiritual discipline in the same way athletes accept physical training and conditioning.

Take a sticky note and print these words in bold letters: "Your task today is to honor God in all you do!" Put the note on the first thing you will see in the morning – coffee cup, makeup or shaving mirror, computer screen. When you see that note every morning, breathe this simple prayer: "God, let my eyes be open to your presence and Your will throughout this day."

Then taking your shower or eating a bagel can be an exercise in gratitude. Walking outside lets you reflect on the beauty of God's creation. Hearing music or seeing children on their way to school is His invitation to joy. Getting caught in traffic can be turned into a prayer that God teach you patience. Dealing with students, clients, or colleagues can be your opportunity to serve them in Christ's name. Celebrate their successes. Be a friend in their distress or discouragement.

Before going to bed each night – perhaps with these two questions written on a bookmark in your Bible – ask: (1) When did I feel most alive to God and others today? (2) When did I most feel like life was being drained from me? End your day by thanking God for the former and surrendering the latter to His grace.

This is no "magic formula" for spirituality. It is nothing more nor less than the daily routine of many Christians whose goal is to grow in likeness to Jesus.

This simple plan could open your eyes to things you have been missing.

--Rubel Shelly