WORD OF THE MONTH:  EXCELLENCE
Excellence is doing your best.  It is giving your very best to any task you do or any relationship you have.

The 5th and 6th grade students will be taking the State Reading Assessment February 17, 18, 19.  We encourage all parents to help prepare their children.  Here are a few ideas:

• Arrive to school each day on time.                                     
• Reschedule appointments if they occur on a testing day.
• Get plenty of sleep the weeks of testing.
• Eat a healthy breakfast on testing days.
• Spend 5 minutes each day reviewing math facts.                  
• Discuss graded assignments your child brings home for understanding.
• Encourage your child to do their best on the assessments.

Please post this AFFIRMATION in your home for your child to read daily.

AFFIRMATION:  I GIVE MY BEST TO THE WORK I DO.  I GIVE MY BEST TO OTHERS.  I DARE TO SET NOBLE GOALS.  I CHOOSE EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS.

GOOD LUCK STUDENTS

If you received a “referral” in the mail, that your student needed further evaluation by a physician for hearing or for vision, please plan to do one of the following asap:

• Check the option that you are aware of the situation, and take no further action.
• Make an appointment for your student, and send in the results from the physician.
• Check the option that your child is already under the care of a physician.

We will be doing Free Dental Screens on all 5th graders at Discovery on Friday January 29.  Dr. R. Coad donates his time to our district for this free screening.  You will receive communication via email or by a letter if you do not have email access.  Please watch for the information and contact me with any questions/concerns.  
 
February is National “heart” month.  Our school will be wearing Red on Friday the 12 of February to promote awareness of heart health and show our support for “Go Red for Women”.  Heart Disease is the No. 1 killer of American women.  So, Feb 12- Wear Red!! 
 

SYMPTOM	COLD	SWINE FLU	SEASONAL FLU
FEVER	Fever is rare with a cold.	Fever is usually present with H1N1 in up to 80% of all flue cases.	A temperature of 101° Fever is common with the seasonal flu.
COUGHING	A hacking, productive (mucus-producing) cough is often present with a cold.	A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with H1N1 (sometimes referred to as dry cough).	A dry and hacking cough is often present with the seasonal flu.
ACHES	Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.	Severe aches and pains are common with H1N1.	Moderate body aches are common with the seasonal flu.
STUFFY NOSE	Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.	Stuffy nose is not commonly present with H1N1.	A runny nose is commonly present with the seasonal flu.
CHILLS	Chills are uncommon with a cold.	60% of people who have H1N1 experience chills.	Chills are mild to moderate with the seasonal flu.
TIREDNESS	Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.	Tiredness is moderate to severe with H1N1.	Tiredness is moderate and more likely referred to as a lack of energy with the seasonal flu.
SNEEZING	Sneezing is commonly present with a cold	Sneezing is not common with H1N1.	Sneezing is common present with the seasonal flu.
SUDDEN SYMPTOMS	Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.	H1N1 has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. H1N1 hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. Symptoms usually last 4-7 days, depending on the individual. Diarrhea is common.	Symptoms tend to develop over a few days and include flushed face, loss of appetite, dizziness and/or vomiting/nausea. Symptoms usually last 4-7 days, depending on the individual. Diarrhea is common.
HEADACHE	A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.	A headache is very common with H1N1 and present in 80% of cases.	A headache is fairly common with the seasonal flu.
SORE THROAT	Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.	Sore throat is not commonly present with H1N1.	Sore throat is commonly present with the seasonal flu.
CHEST DISCOMFORT	Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.	Chest discomfort is often severe with H1N1.	Chest discomfort is moderate with the seasonal flu. If it turns severe seek medical attention immediately!

Request to Administer Medication at School
Permission For Self Administering of Medication

Prescription Medication:  Under certain conditions, prescribed medication may be given at school by the nurse or nurse-designated person.  This can be done only upon written request from both the parent or guardian and the attending physician.  If at all possible, medication should be taken prior to coming to school or after leaving school under parental supervision.  It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to give the initial dose of medication to the child to assure there is no adverse reaction.  Prescription medication must be brought to the school in the prescription container and it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to assure that the medication and dosage in the container is the same as identified on the affixed prescription label.

The following information must be listed on the label:

• Name of student
• Prescription number
• Name of medication and strength
• Date prescription was filled
• Prescribing physician’s name
• When applicable, expiration date and storage directions

Non-prescription Medication:  Over-the-counter medication may be taken at school with parental permission.  It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to assure that the medication sent to school is the correct medication.  The medication must be in its original container and the following written instructions to the nurse or designated school employee must be included with the medication:

• Name of student
• Name of medication 
• Dosage
• Time to be given to student
• Reason for medication

School employees who administer the medication in accordance with authorized physician instructions and/or parent/guardian instructions and BOE Policy shall not be liable for damages resulting from adverse reactions.  In the event of an adverse reaction, the student will be treated according to standard emergency care guidelines.  No medication will be given without proper authorizations and directions.  Do not send loose pills with your child to carry in his/her pockets to self-administer.  Feel free to call if you have any questions.

1. If there is a temp. of 99.6 with symptoms, such as headache, sore throat, nausea/vomiting, rashes.
2. A temp of 100.4 with no symptoms.
3. STUDENTS SHOULD REMAIN HOME UNTIL TEMPERATURE HAS BEEN NORMAL FOR 24 HOURS WITHOUT THE AID OF MEDICATION.
4. Pink eye: cases are excluded from school until 24 hours after treatment has been started.
5. Head lice: students with head lice will be sent home and will not be allowed to ride the bus until checked by the school nurse and found to be free of lice and nits (eggs). Current Kansas regulation requires that children be nit free prior to returning to school.
6. All injuries which result in unusual swelling, discoloration, or pain.
7. Cuts which appear to require stitches.
8. Dental injuries