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                              

Influenza Information!

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