One of my New Year’s goals is to write about how the Health Office and our school works with and helps care for students who have had a concussion. In recent years, much attention has been given to this topic. With the brain research that is being conducted, we have learned a great deal about concussions.  See a Boston University study here.

A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head OR body that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions occur when the brain moves quickly back and forth. Students vary in their recovery from a concussion and some might need academic accommodations.

If accommodations are needed, (such as longer time for completing homework assignments, test taking and/or gym class restrictions), the health office needs physician documentation. A team e-mail will be circulated with the specific requirements for that student. Parents can “reply-all” or to a specific teacher if there is a concern or an update for their student. To watch a PowerPoint created for coaches and teachers with much information on concussions, go to Lake Harriet’s Health Office website, under Health Office News- here.

Immunization Updates- There are immunization changes being implemented for return to school this fall per the MN Department of Health. This affects our 7^th graders.  See the state health department info here. They are as follows:

• ·       Replacement of the current seventh-grade tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccination with one that also includes pertussis (Tdap).
• ·       Meningococcal vaccination for secondary students, beginning in seventh grade.

The new rules do not change the medical exemption or the option for parents to decline any or all vaccines for conscientious reasons.

Health Office Reminders:

Emergency Contact Information-Parents please understand that you are responsible to maintain current emergency contact information WITH the school secretary. Contact information includes emergency contact names and numbers and e-mail addresses in addition to your home, cell and work numbers. Many parents are under the impression that when they fill out the form with their child’s teacher in the fall at the ice cream social, that they have met this requirement.

That form is for the teacher’s personal use and is not on file with the school secretary. Our communicable disease notification system relies on up-to-date e-mail addresses on file with the school secretary. Please check with Chris Hall  (at Lower) or Paula McClom (at Upper) to make sure your information is current.

Medication Reminder- Absolutely no medication may be given to a student without a written doctor’s order. This includes over-the counter meds such as Tylenol. Please do not send in Albuterol inhalers or snack bags with Motrin or antibiotics. When at the doctor’s office, ask for a written order for school. Be sure to put your signature on that order too, giving the health office permission to give the med. Once in 7^th grade, students may self-carry their own medication if you have signed a self-medication form for your student. Read here for school medication policy.

Fever, Diarrhea and Vomit Reminder- We need a 24 hour window of vomit and diarrhea free before returning to school. Students need to be fever free without the use of Tylenol or Motrin for 24 hours before returning to school.

Influenza-like illnesses- Please call the attendance line if your child has an Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) defined as a fever of 100 degrees or more and a cough or sore throat. The state department is monitoring influenza.

Phillips Eye Screening dates- Upper campus eye screening date is 3/5, with a rescreen date for 3/13. Lower campus screening dates are 3/10 for K and 1^st grades and 3/11 for 3^rd grade. (2nd graders not screened). Lower rescreen date is 3/17.

Parent volunteers needed for eye screening dates- Typically 4 parent volunteers are needed per screening day, but none on the rescreen days. There is a morning shift, (9:15-12:15) and an afternoon shift, (12:15-3:45). Please contact me, Kathy Frey, if you can volunteer.

Parent Letter Regarding the Eye- Screenings:

Dear Parent/Guardian of Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th and 6th grade Lake Harriet Student,

Your child will have his/her vision screened at school in the upcoming weeks.  While this screening is designed to identify issues with your child’s vision, it is not considered a full eye exam.  Parents/Guardians will be notified if a child does not pass the screening test.  At that time your child should be seen by an eye care professional to further evaluate his/her vision.

The Early Youth Eyecare (E.Y.E.) Community Initiative, an outreach program of the Phillips Eye Institute Foundation, provides the screening and coordinates follow-up to ensure students receive timely access to eye care.  The follow-up includes providing interpreter service, transportation, and financial assistance with eye exams and glasses, as necessary.   The E.Y.E. Community Initiative is designed to help remove vision issues as a barrier to learning.

If you have any questions with the eye program please contact Beth Albrecht at 612-775-8964 or Cody Engelhaupt, E.Y.E. Program Coordinator, @ 612-775-8968 or cody.engelhaupt@allina.com. 

If you would prefer that your child not participate, please contact Kathy Frey, RN, LSN or Kathy Pressnall, LPN (Upper) @ 612-668-3315 or Sarah Snook, LPN (Lower) @612, 668-3222. 

Thank-you,

Kathy Frey, RN, Licensed School Nurse

Monday and Wednesday, Upper- 668-3315

Tuesday and Thursday, Lower- 668-3222

More info:

Did you know?

Free vision screenings will be conducted at your child’s school sometime between mid-September and the end of March. Thanks to a community partnership between Minneapolis Public Schools and the Early Youth Eyecare (E.Y.E.) Community Initiative of the Phillips Eye Institute Foundation, we have screened over 31,000 MPS students for potential vision problems since the program’s inception 3 years ago!

Why is good vision so important?

Approximately 80% of childhood learning is visually based, making healthy vision a key to academic success. 

Exactly what does E.Y.E. do?

The E.Y.E. Program is committed to removing vision problems as a major roadblock to learning by providing:

• ·       Free, regular vision screenings for MPS students in K, 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 6th grades
• ·       Timely, dedicated follow-up for families who had a child fail the vision screening
• ·       Coordination and funding of vision care and/or glasses if needed as well as transportation and interpreter services

How can I help?

Vision screenings take place at the schools and are staffed by E.Y.E. Staff and Volunteers.  We are always looking for Parent Volunteers to become involved!  If you are interested in learning more about this volunteer opportunity please contact Beth Albrecht at 612-775-8964 or elizabeth.albrecht2@allina.com.

Vision screenings, ongoing vision treatment, and interpreter and transportation services provided by the E.Y.E. Program are directly funded by the Phillips Eye Institute Foundation of Allina Hospitals & Clinics.  These services are made possible through individual donations and grants.  If you would like to support the E.Y.E. Program through a financial contribution please contact Bev Fritz at 612-775-8758 or beverly.fritz@allina.com.

Upon request, the E.Y.E. Program is able to screen individual children in any grade.  If you have a child in one of the grades that is not routinely screened and have concerns regarding his/her vision please contact the School Health Office.

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. 

Cody Engelhaupt

E.Y.E. Program Coordinator

612-775-8968

cody.engelhaupt@allina.com