This message is for Monroe County Schools employees.  The State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) Open Enrollment Period for Health Coverage will open on Monday, October 27th and run through 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14.  To assist employees both before and during the Open Enrollment Process, there are Benefit Review Days.  They are: 

Wednesday,  Oct. 22          HES

Thursday, Oct. 23                KBS

Friday, Oct. 24                      TGS 

Tuesday, Oct.28    MPHS Freshman Campus/MCAC

Wednesday, Oct.29          KBS

Thursday, Oct.30                TGS

Friday, Oct. 31   MCMS - Banks Stephens Campus

Monday, Nov. 3                    HES

Tuesday, Nov. 4                    MPHS - Main Campus

Wednesday, Nov. 5             MPHS - Main Campus

Thursday, Nov. 6                  Transportation

Friday, Nov. 7       MCMS - William Hubbard Middle Campus

Tuesday, Nov. 11                  Central Office

Wednesday, Nov. 12          MCMS - Banks Stephens Campus

Friday, Nov. 14                      Open in System

On these days, benefits coordinator, Jeff Jeremiah, along with representatives from our investment companies will be available for Monroe County Schools employees in these locations for one-on-one appointments.   This will be a good chance to review all current benefits and to make changes in these products.  The SHBP enrollment will take place online as in the past.  Check your Monroe County Schools employee email for specific instructions for SHBP enrollment.  In the meantime, the 2015 SHBP Decision Guides  are available at:

http://dch.georgia.gov/shbp-decision-guides  

This link also has overview videos for each of the health care companies for 2015:     United HealthCare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Kaiser Permanente.  In addition, this is a good time of the year to review other personal information related to benefits.  Some questions to consider:

• When was the last time you reviewed your beneficiaries (insurance and retirement related) and do they need to be updated?
• Have job changes or salary changes altered your need for disability insurance?
• Are you properly including dependents on your dental, eye care and other coverage?

Jessica Whatley, MCMS Counselor

Routines provide structure and model self-discipline to children at an early age. As we move into the fall season, establishing a routine will help your child remain successful at school.

1)    Set a consistent wake-up time. This time will allow for adequate preparation for morning activities (i.e. brushing teeth, getting dressed, eating breakfast, arriving to school on time.)

2)    Have a consistent homework time. This time is used only for homework in a designated area. Once the allowed time is over, start a new activity.

4)    Set a consistent dinner time. This time could include washing hands together and setting the table, eating dinner collectively.

5)    Make bed time a priority.  Children thrive academically when they have had enough sleep. Some younger students need 10-12 hours of sleep per night.

A few cases of head lice have been found recently in the Monroe County schools. Head lice are very common in school-age children. Head lice do not carry any disease, and they can be found even when the hair is very clean. We want to give you some information that will help you keep your child free of lice and help prevent it from spreading.  The schools are taking every step to control the spread of lice, including checking students' heads randomly, sending them home as needed and requiring that students' heads be checked before returning to school. Some things you can do to help are: Check your child every few days for lice or nits, using a bright light or sunlight. Lice are crawling insects, about the size of a sesame seed, usually found at the hairline of the neck and behind the ears. They do not jump or fly, but can move very quickly. Nits are the eggs, which are laid close to the scalp and attached firmly to the hair. They are usually light colored and cannot be easily brushed or flicked out. Often children will complain of itching.

• Notify the school.
• Do not let your child attend school until treatment is completed.
• Consult with your child's healthcare provider, health department or pharmacist for treatment instructions.

If no head lice or nits are found:

• Do not begin any special treatment. Using lice treatments does not prevent lice and is not recommended.
• Teach your child not to share personal items such as combs, brushes, scarves, hats or coats with other children. Lice are spread by close contact; they do not jump from one person to the next.

 The following are steps that can be taken to help prevent and control the spread of head lice:

• Avoid head-to-head (hair-to-hair) contact during play and other activities at home, school, and elsewhere (sports activities, playground, slumber parties and camp).
• Do not share clothing such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, hair ribbons or barrettes.
• Do not share combs, brushes or towels. Disinfect combs and brushes used by an infested person by soaking them in hot water (at least 130°F) for 5-10 minutes.
• Do not lie on beds, couches, pillows, carpets or stuffed animals that have recently been in contact with an infested person.
• Machine wash and dry clothing, bed linens, and other items that an infested person wore or used during the 2 days before treatment using the hot water (130°F) laundry cycle and the high heat drying cycle. Clothing and items that are not washable can be dry-cleaned OR sealed in a plastic bag and stored for 2 weeks.
• Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay. However, spending much time and money on housecleaning activities are not necessary to avoid reinfestation by lice or nits that may have fallen off the head or crawled onto furniture or clothing.
• Do not use fumigant sprays or fogs; they are not necessary to control head lice and can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

We hope this information will help you keep your child free of this problem. If you have more questions about head lice, please call the Health Department, your child's healthcare provider, or your school nurse.