COVID UPDATE & REVIEW

Okay, soo, we have been at this for over a year now.  We are all forever changed by this past year and many are trying to think positively moving forward.  How can I help? 

The best I can do is provide you the most up-to-date information and answer your questions as needed.   Although much of this info was shared in previous posts, the following is  a quick review of the most important COVID information.

   

COVID Symptoms

COVID symptoms include the following:

• At least TWO of the following symptoms: fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, congestion/runny nose OR
• At least ONE of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or loss of smell. 

If your child exhibits the above COVID symptoms, please contact your doctor for further evaluation & a COVID test prior to return to school. 

If a family member has symptoms and/or had a COVID test, please keep all family members home from school while awaiting test results.  

Quarantine vs Isolation

Quarantine is what you do if you have been exposed to a positive COVID Case and/or have been  identified as a close contact of a positive case.  Incubation period for COVID infection is 2-14 days and, therefore, exposed individuals should quarantine for 14 days post exposure with day #1 being first day after exposure.  

14 days can be a significant hardship for many and, therefore, the CDC offers an acceptable alternative.  When Jefferson Township (Morris County) moves into the "yellow" or moderate risk category, we will accept the alternative quarantine option.  The alternative option, if 14 days is not feasible, is 10 days or 7 days with a negative test between day 5-7.  

Isolation is what you do if you have COVID symptoms or test positive.  Isolation is 10 days from start of symptoms or test date (whichever comes first).  Day #1 being test date/symptom start date. 

Who Needs to Quarantine?

Individuals who test positive, school nurses and the local health department staff work together to identify "close contacts" to positive cases.  Close contacts are notified and quarantined accordingly.  Individuals who are fully vaccinated (received final dose 2 weeks prior and within last 3 months) or individuals who tested positive in last 90 days do NOT need to quarantine.

What does "Close Contact" mean?

Close contacts are individuals who were within 6 feet of a positive case for 15 min or more within a 24 hour period during the positive cases "infectious period".   A positive COVID case is considered infectious 2 days prior to start of symptoms or test date (whichever comes first) until 10 days post test date/symptom start date.  

Mask use or desk barriers do NOT affect the determination of close contacts. Close contacts of close contacts (ie. family members of close contacts) are not at risk for infection unless the close contact exhibits symptoms or tests positive. 

Why Do Some People Need to Quarantine for 24 days or more?  

If a family member (parent) tests positive for COVID and can not isolate from their children, the children must quarantine during their parents isolation period (10 days).  The 10th day is the childrens' last day of exposure and, therefore, they need to quarantine an additional 14 days post exposure, hence a total of 24 days :(

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

Friday, February 26th: Exercise!

Today our theme is the importance of exercise.  Please reinforce the following with your children at home....

Kids exercise all the time without even thinking of it.  They run around outside, play kickball at school, play sports, dance...even walking the dog is considered exercise!

When we exercise and stay active, we make our bodies stronger. It feels good to have strong, flexible bodies that can do all the things we enjoy. 

Exercising can also put you in a better mood.  When we exercise, our brains release chemicals that make you feel happier.  It's just another reason why exercise is a good idea. 

Most importantly, when we exercise, we make our heart happy.  Your heart is a muscle.  It works hard pumping blood every day.  When you exercise, your heart has to work even harder.  This gives the heart a workout and your heart gets stronger. 

These are just some of the many reasons why it is important to exercise every day.  We should all aim to get at least 60 minutes of exercise each day. 

Thank you for participating in our Wellness Week Activities.  If your child did the Wellness Challenge, be sure to send the completed form in to their teacher for a chance to win a jump rope!

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

Thursday, February 25: Be Yourself, Be Comfy with Who You Are!

Today's kids are growing up with continuous influence from social media, movies, TV, video games, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snap chat, and more.  There is a strong tendency for kids these days to compare themselves to the images projected and glorified on social media.  Now more than ever before, it is important for us to frequently remind our kids that they have unique skills and talents that make them important, special, wonderful and loved.

Today, during Wellness Week, we celebrate "being yourself", "being confident" and "being comfortable with who you are".  This is a lesson we all  need to remember and a daily basis, no matter how old or young we are.

The Kindness Pledge helps to encourage our kids to refocus and start the day on the right path.  Please consider learning and reciting the following with your kids;

"I pledge to myself on this day, 
To try to be kind in every way, 
To every person big and small, 
I will help them if they fall. 
When I love myself and others too, 
that is the best that I can do. 
Today the choice is mine!"

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

Wednesday, February 24th: STAY HYDRATED

Wednesday, during Wellness Week, we focus on the importance of staying hydrated.

We tend not to drink as much water in the Winter.  We don't sweat as much and don't get as thirsty, but it is very important that we continue to drink between 5-8 glasses of water each day to stay hydrated.   Please review and reinforce the following with your children....

Kids, it seems like we're always hearing about how important it is to drink a lot of water.  Our bodies need water to preform the many jobs our bodies do every day.  Our bodies constantly lose water-when we breathe, sweat, and go to the bathroom-so we need to replace it.  When it's warm out, when you're exercising, or when you're sick, it's important to drink extra water. 

Some of the fluid we need comes from food other than water.  So the liquid we consume does not have to be water, but WATER IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS TO DRINK. For one thing, water contains no calories or sugar.  Orange and other 100% fruit juices can be a good source of vitamin C, but they also contain calories and sugar that you may not need.  It is very important to avoid drinks like Coke, Sprite, Mountain Dew, Gatorade and Sports Drinks.  They contain excess sugar and even added caffeine. 

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

Tuesday, February 23rd: 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. 

So kids....be sure to eat lots of fruits and veggies with each meal so your plate has all the colors of the rainbow!

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

 

Wellness Week Challenge!

Complete this Wellness Week Challenge every day this week for a chance to win a free jump rope! See post entitled "Instructions for Jump Rope Raffle Entry!"

Plan 10 hours of sleep or more every night this week!

o   

S

Eat 5 or more colorful foods each day this week!

                                           

                                             

                

o   Drink 5 glasses or more of water each day this week!

         

                                                 

o  

o   Recite this pledge every morning this week....

"I pledge to myself on this day, 
To try to be kind in every way. 
To every person big and small, 
I will help them if they fall. 
When I love myself and others too, 
That is the best that I can do!
Today, the Choice is Mine!"

Spend 30 minutes or more each day this week doing physical activity (walk, jog, bike, dance, ice skate, sleigh riding)    
     

o   

   

    

Monday February 22: Importance of Sleep

Kids frequently come to the nurse's office in the morning with the complaint of being tired.

Our kids need 10-11 hours of sleep a night.  Bedtime problems can start for a variety of reasons.  Homework, sports and after-school activities, computers, TVs, mobile devices, and hectic family schedules all can contribute to kids not getting the sleep they need.

When kids don't get enough sleep they can become hyper or irritable, and may have a hard time paying attention in school.

Therefore,  it is important to have a consistent bedtime, especially on school nights.  Leave enough technology-free time before bed to allow your child to unwind before lights-out.  A good rule of thumb is switching off the electronics at least one hour before bed and keep TVs, computers, and mobile devices out of kids'  bedrooms.

Sooo, kids, if you wake up at 7am for school, your bedtime should be between 8-9pm. 

If you have trouble falling asleep, be sure to turn off TV and devices by 7pm!