***Lice Information***

It is common this time of year (after the holidays) to get reports of lice.  Rest assured; we do NOT currently have any known active cases of lice! That said, it is important for everyone to review the following information about head lice in order for us all to stay vigilant and prevent a spread.

Head lice is nothing to be ashamed of.   Cleanliness and personal hygiene have NOT been linked to contracting head lice. If cases of head lice are reported or found in your child's class, I will check the class for lice.  In addition, the students and I discuss lice and the things we can do to prevent the spread of lice.  I also send a letter home to remind parents to be on alert for signs or symptoms of lice.  I am, of course, sensitive to the students' feelings and treat each case confidentially.     The parents of students with lice are notified and provided with the necessary information to ensure successful treatment.    The students are treated appropriately by their parents and re-checked prior to returning to school.   

The following are important lice facts to keep in mind:

• Lice do NOT jump or fly.  They only crawl.
• Lice spread from DIRECT head-to-head contact and, therefore, schools are NOT the primary source of transmission.  Camps, sleepovers, playdates, etc. are the common source.
• Once on a head, lice prefer to stay on the head (close to its food source).  Spreading primarily occurs once a full infestation exists, and the lice are looking for a new home. Therefore, catching and treating lice early is important.  Please check your children for lice regularly. 
• It takes weeks for lice infestation to occur, so students can be in school with lice for weeks undetected.  Therefore, please reinforce avoiding direct head-to-head contact with your children and encourage your child with long hair to keep hair tied up in a ponytail or braid. 

Please watch for the following symptoms in your child:

• Intense itching of the scalp.
• Regularly check the nape of the neck and behind the ears for lice eggs (called nits).  Nits are usually whitish ovals that glue themselves to the hair shafts and cannot be removed easily.
• Adult lice are tiny, grayish-brown, wingless insects and shy away from light.  They are harder to see than the nits. 
• If you find lice or any nits, it means your child has head lice. 
• If your child has head lice, please contact me immediately so other children in the class can be checked. If your child has lice, they will need to be treated before re-entering school. Each case will, of course, be treated confidentially.  

***For more lice information, please refer to the Lice Handbook on the Jefferson Township website (click link for District Offices, then Health Services, then Forms & Documents)

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

**Flu Information January 2025**

 We are seeing an especially high increase in flu cases across the state....be sure to read the following information and reach out to me with questions or concerns!

What is influenza (also called flu)?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness.

What are the signs and symptoms of the flu?

People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms that usually start suddenly, not gradually:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Muscle or body aches

• Headaches

• Tiredness

• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in young children than in adults

How does the flu spread?

The flu virus is spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

When can a person with the flu spread it to others?

You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Although people with the flu are most contagious in the first 3-4 days after their illness begins, some otherwise healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others with flu viruses for an even longer time.

Should I get the flu vaccine now?

It is not too late to get vaccinated. All people 6 months of age and older are recommended to annually receive the influenza vaccine.  Children 59 months and younger must receive the flu shot prior to December 31^st to remain in school.

How can I protect my child from catching the flu?

Take everyday preventive actions that help slow the spread of germs that cause respiratory (nose, throat, and lungs) illnesses, like flu.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick and limit contact with others while sick to keep from infecting them.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs that can cause respiratory illness.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw it in the trash after you use it and wash your hands.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs that can cause respiratory illnesses like flu.

• Stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.

Teach your child to:

• Cover cough and sneezes.

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are no available, an alcohol-based hand rub can be used.

• Get in the habit of not touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

• Not share “bites” of finger foods, spoons, forks, drinking cups or bottles with friends.

What should I do if my child is sick?

• As always, you should keep your sick child home. Do not send them to school/daycare. Use your judgement to decide if your child can recover at home with rest and fluids or needs to see a doctor. Call your family doctor if you have questions and follow their advice.

• Although antibiotics are not effective against viruses, antiviral medicines can help shorten the flu’s course. These medications are available only by prescription and are usually not needed in mild cases. Once again, you should follow your family doctor’s advice about your child’s care.

• Keep tissues close to the sick person and have a trash bag within reach.

• Children who are sick with flu-like illness should stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medications and are able to participate comfortably in activities.

 

For more information go to the New Jersey Department of Health flu website at

http://nj.gov/health/cd/topics/flu.shtml and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm

 

2024-2025 Kindergarten and Preschool Medical Documentation ALERT

At this time, please be sure to provide me with your child's required medical documentation.  This documentation is required prior to attending school.  

Medical documentation includes your child's UPDATED 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 and include the 4/5 year old boosters. 

• 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. 

                                 

Kindergarten and Preschool Registration for the 2024-2035 School Year!

  Hello all you NEW Cozy Lake Families!

I am excited for our 2024-2025 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 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 documentation is required prior to attending school in the fall.  

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 and include the 4/5 year old booster. 
• 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 - Eat a Rainbow!

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. 

 

Cozy Lake Wellness Week January 16th-19th, 2024

 

Hello Cozy Lake Families!

I hope you are all staying healthy this winter season.

Wellness Week 2024 is next week!!  During this week, we focus on ensuring we are practicing healthy habits to keep our bodies and minds strong so we can be the best we can be each day!  

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 information 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 Flier 2024                       

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