A Note From Nurse Jessica - January Wellness Update

Welcome Back and Happy New Year!!! 

I hope you all had a wonderful Winter break!  Full of rest and relaxation!!  

Since we are still seeing Flu and Covid on the rise locally I wanted to reiterate key components from my last email.  

Reminder from my previous email : 

Key sickness prevention is started with good health habits like avoiding people who are sick, covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like flu. 

The tips and resources below will help you learn about actions you can take to protect yourself and others from flu and help stop the spread of germs.

1. Avoid close contact.
   Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

   1. Stay home when you are sick.
      If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.

   2. Cover your mouth and nose.
      Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk.

   3. Clean your hands.
      Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

      • Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives
        Tips on hand washing and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers

   4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
      Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

   5. Practice other good health habits.
      Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

Key Policy Reminders: 

• Students must be fever (100.4) free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.

• Students with any vomiting and/or diarrhea must be out for 24 hours post their last vomiting or diarrhea episode 

We continue to ask that you please keep students home when they are unwell. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.  Please be sure to let your student's teacher(s) know if your student is out sick, as well.  

Healthy Students = Better Learners

Kind Regards, 

Jessica Tolbert, RN

Lake Oconee Academy

School Nurse

Phone: 706-454-1562