Coxsackie Virus (Hand Foot Mouth Disease)

Hello Cozy Lake Families, 

HFMD is making a visit to our community. Here's what you need to know. 

HFMD is a common childhood virus that usually results in mild symptoms.  A person with HFMD may have all or some of the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• poor appetite
• tiny sores in the mouth
• skin rash (flat or bumpy red spots-may have blisters)

HFMD is very contagious and can spread from close personal contact and/or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.  Generally a person with HFMD is most contagious during the first week of illness, but can remain contagious for days or weeks post infection.  Some people who are exposed and infected with HFMD do not develop any symptoms.  If symptoms occur, they usually develop 3-5 days post exposure.   

HFMD has no specific treatment.  The virus just needs to run its course.  As always, we encourage increasing fluids and eating a healthy diet to boost the immune system. 

To prevent the spread of HFMD, we ask students with signs or symptoms of HFMD to stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine, in addition to ensuring any blisters have scabbed prior to returning to school.  Please alert me if you suspect HFMD so that I can keep track of cases here at Cozy. 

In addition, we reinforce healthy hygiene habits with all the students, including but not limited to the importance of frequent and effective handwashing, germ prevention skills and covering their coughs and sneeze.  Please help us by reinforcing these skills at home as well. 

We also request our maintenance team do a sanitizing surface-focused cleaning on any classrooms where we have known cases. 

As always, reach out to  me with any questions or concerns at (973) 697-4777 ext. 5535 

Public Health Recall: UPDATE***

Please see previous message related to Health Advisory and recall of certain cinnamon apple puree and applesauce products. 

The following are the recalled products that may contain lead and should not be eaten. Click below for addition information!

FDA HEALTH ADVISORY UPDATE 

REMINDER: VISION SCREENING THIS FRIDAY!!!

 Just a quick reminder: 

The Lion's Club will be here to do vision screenings on Friday.  We are very fortunate to have them.  They offer this service to the Preschool and Kindergarten students who have provided written permission.   As previously explained, students merely look at a camera and have a picture taken.  The picture generates a report that alerts us of any vision discrepancies that may require further evaluation.  

If you are interested in having your child's vision screened, be sure to send in the signed permission slip.  If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me at (973) 697-4777 ext 5535 or jluisi@jefftwp.org. 

Public Health Recall: FDA ADVISORY

 ***ATTENTION FAMILIES***

PLEASE BE AWARE TO NOT BUY OR FEED YOUR CHILDREN THE WANABANA APPLE CINNAMON FRUIT PUREE POUCHES!

THERE HAS BEEN AN ALERT THAT THESE PRODUCTS MAY CONTAIN HIGH LEVELS OF LEAD.  THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN.  IF YOUR CHILD CONSUMED THESE PRODUCTS, PLEASE BE SURE TO REACH OUT TO YOUR PEDIATRICIAN FOR FOLLOW UP. 

CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE FDA ADVISORY....

FDA ADVISORY RELATED TO WANABANA POUCHES

Request for Clothes

Good afternoon Cozy Lake Families,  

If any of you are cleaning out drawers and have extra clothes that you are looking to part with, please consider donating them to Cozy Lake.... 

I currently could use extra boys & girls' bottoms (sweatpants or stretchy leggings are best ) and tops (long sleeve shirts)…. in sizes 5/6 and 7/8.    

If you are looking to purge and have any of the above, please give me a call at (973) 697-4777 ext 5535 or email jluisi@jefftwp.org

Vision Screening

We are very fortunate here at Cozy Lake to have the Lion's Club offer a free vision screening for ALL our students again this year.  

The screenings are quick and simple and provide instant data about your child's eyes to determine if they have any vision issues or concerns.  

The students merely sit down and look straight at a camera....no physical contact is made  and no drops are necessary.  A picture is taken and information is then generated to determine if any abnormalities exist that need further evaluation.   Last year, the screening picked up approximately 18 students with issues that may have otherwise gone undetected.  

In order for your child to benefit, we need a signed permission slip form. I sent home forms last week.  If needed, click link below for another copy of the permission slip.   If you are interested, please sign the form and return to school as soon as possible.  Forms are due by November 14th.   

Vision Screening Permission Slip Form

The screenings are scheduled for Friday, November 17th and Friday, December 1st.   

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me at (973) 697-4777 ext. 5535 or email jluisi@jefftwp.org

Calling All Registered Nurses!

This message is for all our Registered Nurse Parents out there.   Do you want to use your skills and talents to help your child's school while at the same time make some extra money?   If so, check out our job opening for substitute school nurses right here in Jefferson Township!

As a substitute school nurse, you would be trained by one of the amazing district nurses (preferably me, haha) so that you feel comfortable and confident covering the medical needs of the students in the absence of our regular school nurses.  Rest assured, you will have all you need to have a successful, meaningful, enjoyable experience.   You would be able to pick and choose your availability to best meet your own personal needs.  

If you are at all interested, please reach out to me and I can give you more information.  I could also schedule a day for you to shadow me and see if this is something that you would enjoy! I can be reached as always at (973) 697-4777 ext 5535 or jluisi@jefftwp.org.  

Click the link below for more information and how to apply....

Substitute School Nurse Information and Application 

Preschool: Mandated Flu Shot

 

Good morning Cozy Lake Families, 

Just a reminder, all Preschool families should have received notification of the flu shot requirement for all students 60 months of age and younger.   If your child is under 5 years of age and has not yet had their flu shot, please make an appointment or plan to visit a local clinic to ensure they get their shot as soon as possible.   They are required to receive the flu shot prior to December 31st in order to attend school after winter break.

Once received, please send documentation to me so I can update your child's medical file accordingly.  

Thank you so much in advance for your cooperation.   As always, feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns at (973) 697-4777 ext 5535 or jluisi@jefftwp.org.  

Welcome to Cozy Lake Elementary School's 2023-2024 School Year

 

Welcome To Cozy Lake!

Thank you for visiting my blog.  Here you will find important health and wellness updates, requests and more!  

Our Kindergarteners and Preschoolers have had an awesome September  here at Cozy Lake Elementary School! At this time, we have six Kindergarten classes and nine Preschool classes.  The students in each classroom are adjusting well to their new routines.  I am amazed at how quickly the little 3 year olds have  acclimated to their schedules and activities.  

I appreciate your cooperation as I worked diligently this month to ensure we have all the required medical documentation on each of the students.  

That said, I am still missing a few Emergency Medical Information Forms.  If you get one home in your child's backpack, please complete the information and return to me as soon as possible.   

IMPORTANT REQUESTS AND INFORMATION:

• If your child has a chronic medical concern and we have not yet spoken, please reach out to me so we can ensure I have the medication and paperwork necessary for me to meet their needs during the school day.
• If your child has a food allergy or sensitivity and you would like them to eat cafeteria prepared food, please be sure to check the menu/ingredients daily to ensure food served is safe for your child (see Food Services link on district website).  All food served in the cafeteria is peanut/tree nut free. 
• Please make sure your child has at least one complete change of clothes at school.  As the weather changes, please make sure the clothes are appropriate for the current season.   I have a very limited supply in the nurse's office.  This will prevent the unwelcome call home during the day to bring clothes for your child.  

I will be posting more information shortly so stay tuned! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  I can be reached by  email at jluisi@jefftwp.org or via phone at (973) 697-4777 ext 5535. 

Have a great day!

Kindergarten and Preschool Registration 23-24

 Hello all you NEW Cozy Lake Families!

I am excited for our 2023-2024 school year.  For those of you new to Cozy Lake, you are going to love it here!  

If you were unable to attend the Kindergarten or the Preschool Kiddie Korp/Orientation, please be sure to reach out to me for a copy of my Cozy Lake Health Office Packet.  The packet reviews important  information related to the health and wellness policies here at Cozy that are important for you to be aware of prior to sending your child in the fall. 

At this time, please be sure to provide me with your child's required medical documentation.  This is required here at Cozy by June 16th.  Medical documentation includes your child's physical exam and immunization record.  

• The physical exam needs to be within 365 days of the start of school.  The exam can be documented on the Universal Health Form, but I will accept your doctor's form as well.  
• The immunization record must be up-to-date.  If you are unsure if your child is up-to-date, do not hesitate to forward it to me and I will let you know.  
• If you child has a summer birthday and, therefore, a doctor's appointment over the summer, let me know and I will update their record accordingly.  Please be sure to forward the records to me after their summer appointment.  Although I am not here over the summer, I do check in periodically to update the medical records prior to the start of school.    

How to get records to me:  You can scan/email to jluisi@jefftwp.org , fax to (973) 697-3569,  or you can drop forms off at the school.  Over the summer, the Principal and Secretary are present during the day and will collect forms as needed.

Please understand that your child's medical records must be complete prior to them attending school in September.  The health department is very strict about this policy for all student attending school for the first time.  Thank you so very much, in advance, for your cooperation!

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at jluisi@jefftwp.org or (973) 697-4777 ext 5535. 

  

TASTY TUESDAY (& Valentine's Day)

Why are they so many songs about rainbows???  Because they are amazing and beautiful-not just in the sky, but also on the dining table!  "Eating a rainbow" helps your body get a complete range of nutrients.

 

What does it mean to "eat a rainbow"?

 

Choose a variety of different-colored whole foods throughout the day and week.  The more naturally occurring colors on your plate at each meal or snack, the better.   It DOES NOT mean making a rainbow with artificially colored foods like Gummy Snack, Popsicles, or Soda. 

Fruits and vegetables get their color from naturally occurring micronutrients-such as vitamins and phytonutrients-which are essential for good health. One key function of these nutrients is antioxidants, which include beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, and vitamins A, C, and E.  Not all antioxidants have color, but eating a colorful range of food helps you get them all. 

 

WELLNESS MONDAY

 

Today, for Wellness Week, we focus on the importance of healthy habits.

 

One of the most important healthy habits is FREQUENT HANDWASHING...

 

Washing your hands is the best way to stop germs from spreading. Think about all the things you touched today-from the telephone to the toilet.  Maybe you blew your nose in a tissue and then went outside to play in the yard.

Whatever you did today, you came into contact with germs.  It is easy for a germ on your hand to end up in your mouth.  Think about how many foods you eat with your hands. 

You cant wear rubber gloves all day long, but you can wash your hands so those germs don't get a chance to make you or someone else sick!

So when should you wash your hands:

 

• when your hands are dirty
• before eating or touching food
• after using the bathroom
• after blowing your nose or coughing
• after touching pets
• after playing outdoors
• before and after visiting a sick relative or friend

 

So how do you effectively wash those hands?  Remember to GIVE ME 5 and the 5 steps of hand washing...

1.     WET

2.     SOAP

3.     SCRUB FOR 20 SECONDS!!!

4.     RINSE

5.     DRY

WELLNESS WEEK 2023: FEBRUARY 13TH-17TH

       

Hello Cozy Lake Families!

I hope you are all staying healthy this winter season.

Wellness Week crept up on us quickly.  As we did last year, we will be offering Theme Days for you and your children to participate in.  

Each day, I will post information here on my blog to coincide with the Theme Days.  So check back daily  and be sure to share the info with your kids each night.       

Participation is, of course, optional, but please consider joining in on the fun. 

To start, click the links below to see our Theme Days for the week.  

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me at (973) 697-4777 ext 5535 or  jluisi@jefftwp.org 

Wellness Week Theme Days