TA News

Welcome back to TA, I hope everyone had a good summer!

Illnesses

• Students and staff are healthy and well as we start the year.
• We have one person with Covid this week.
• Covid test kits are available in the Health Office.

Friendly Reminders:

If your child has a medical condition with treatment needs at school, please contact Nurse Ellen.

• For short term health challenges like a broken arm/pneumonia/concussion, please contact Nurse Ellen with info on the condition and a letter from the doctor about activity restrictions.
• For chronic conditions, all students need asthma action plans or emergency allergy plans, dated 2023. Please send them to Nurse Ellen no later than September 7th. 
• Emergency medications must be stored in the health office unless a plan to carry the medication is discussed with Nurse Ellen (this also needs the doctor’s permission).

Prescription medications:

• Must be kept in the Health Office.
• Parents/guardians must provide a current medication order to Nurse Ellen before a medication can be administered at school.

Over-the-counter medications:

• Unless a student is 18 years old, they must have written parent/guardian approval to take over-the-counter medications at school. Please bring a written note to the front office or email Nurse Ellen to provide permission.
• Medication will be administered in the Health Office or main office if Nurse Ellen is not at school.

Field Trips and Sports

Parents/guardians are responsible for making sure their student has any needed medication (rescue inhaler/epi-pen etc.) for field trips and sports. Students should bring any needed medicine to the appropriate teacher or coach.

Lighten Those Backpacks – Help Your Backs Feel Better!

Nurse Ellen encourages all students to think of creative ways to use their locker to reduce back strain from backpacks, e.g. putting afternoon binders in a locker until Power Hour.

Check Daily for Deer Ticks

• Shower and wash clothes after time spent outdoors in tick territory.
• If a deer tick is attached for more than 24-36 hours ,call a pediatrician to request a one-time antibiotic to prevent Lyme disease.
• Save the tick to show your doctor or Nurse Ellen.
• Watch Nurse Ellen’s Lyme Disease prevention video to learn more about tick prevention.

Poison Ivy, Poison Parsnip

• Poison parsnip is abundant right now; it’s tall and looks like Queen Anne’s Lace, but with yellow flowers.
• See photos of poison ivy and poison parsnip.
• If you walk through poison ivy or poison parsnip wash thoroughly with soap and water and put your clothes and shoes in the washing machine.

Resilience

Smiling Mind is an Australian mental health app that offers programs for teens, including helping with resilience.

Thetford Town Service Officer

An additional resource for Thetford families is the town service officer. The town service officer can help with gas cards, fuel oil, etc., and can connect families with other supports as needed. Contact Jessica Eaton at [email protected] or by phone at 802-333-9491.

Thetford Food Shelf

The Thetford Food Shelf is open Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon. The food shelf serves residents of Thetford, Fairlee, West Fairlee, Vershire and Strafford.

Corinth, West Topsham & Bradford Food Shelves

• West Topsham’s food shelf is at the Riverside Grange and is open Mondays from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Fridays 5:30 p.m – 6:30 pm.
• Bradford Academy ‘s food shelf, in Bradford, is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays from 3:00 pm. – 4: 00 pm.; Wednesdays from 5:00 p.m. – 6 p.m.; and Fridays, 11 a.m. – noon.