Reminders and Updates Regarding the Magnus Health System

As you know, we now use the Magnus Health System to track health and medical information about our students and campers. Thank you for the time and attention you invest in the use of the system.  In order to maximize the efficiency and enhance ease of use for you and for us, we are pleased to share some updates:

• Electronically signed documents: Several forms have been converted to electronically signed documents. These include the Sledding Authorization and Policy Acknowledgement forms.
• Streamlining the student release authorization process:  Another form (the Student Release Authorization) is being incorporated in the Vital Health Record. This means that all student records will need to be updated, using the instructions in the system. In summary, you will no longer need to print and complete a form in this category. Instead, anyone to whom you grant permission to pick up your child should be included in the Emergency Contacts section of the Vital Health Record. (In addition, there is a way to designate them "pick-up only.")

In short, these changes mean that there will be fewer forms to print, sign and scan.  And of course, information already entered is still in the system so the renewal process should be streamlined in that regard as well. 

To complete the requirements, simply log into the Magnus system and follow the prompts. The deadline for making these changes and all other updates for all students who will be attending Camp Montessori this summer is June 1.  For all other students (attending in Fall 2015), the deadline is July 1. 
 

Again, thank you for your time and attention. Please contact Nurse Paige with any questions.

Dog Tick

Engorged tick

It's not uncommon to find a tick on a child - or an adult for that matter. While most tick bites are harmless and don't require medical treatment, some ticks do carry harmful germs. Lyme disease is only carried by the deer tick, or western black-legged tick. These ticks are harder to detect than dog ticks, because they are much smaller (about the size of a sesame seed).

What to do if the tick has attached itself to the skin:

1. Using tweezers, grasp the head of the tick close to the skin. 
2. Firmly and steadily pull the tick straight out of the skin.  Do not twist the tick or rock it back and forth while moving. 
3. Release into a jar of rubbing alcohol, a baggie or onto a piece of scotch tape.
4. Wash your hands and the site of the bite with soap and water.
5. Swab the site with rubbing alcohol.

• The tick may have been on the skin for more than 24 hours (is it engorged?).
• Part of the tick remains in the skin after attempted removal.
• The child develops a rash of any kind.
• The area looks infected (increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain or oozing).
• The child develops symptoms like fever, headache, fatigue, chills, stiff neck or back, or muscle or joint aches.

Think Prevention!

When playing in wooded areas, children should wear light-colored long sleeves and pants.  Use an insect repellent containing Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus (also known as PMD - an effective plant-based repellent), or 10-30% DEET, which should be applied sparingly to clothing only.  

Other helpful information can be found at www.kidshealth.org and www.cdc.gov. For more information, contact Nurse Paige. 

Field Day 

Field Day is coming up next week; the Elementary Field Day is scheduled for Monday, June 1 and volunteers are needed! Parents who help with Field Day often report having as much fun as the children. Parent volunteers are here from 8:30 a.m. until about noon and assist with leading individual games or activity stations. No prior experience needed - just a willingness to help and have fun! Please sign up on the Co-op bulletin board or contact co-op@wmsde.org to let us know of your interest. There are also sign up sheets posted on classroom bulletin boards.

Graduation 

Graduation Day is June 5. This is our chance to create a beautiful day for the graduating sixth-graders, filled with memories they will cherish well into the future. Help is needed with decorating and food preparation on June 4 and hosting on June 5. This is one of the most significant school events of the year and a great way to contribute your time and talents to the WMS community. Please sign up on the Co-op bulletin board or contact co-op@wmsde.org to let us know of your interest.