Health Office Update: March 21, 2024
March 21, 2024
It’s nice to see the sun.
Illnesses
• We are seeing less students out with influenza symptoms this week. It is taking 3-6 days for students to feel well after getting the flu.
• Parents, please encourage your students to be in touch with their teachers to make a plan to make-up work.
• There is an upper respiratory virus causing: sore throat, congestion, cough and sometimes laryngitis. This is lasting 3-10 days.
• NEW — Protocol for return after Covid is here: Thetford Academy Health Office/COVID page
• If you need a Covid test kit, please come to the health office.
– Covid Frequently asked Questions
Covid Pfizer booster
Available to students and staff (under age 64) at:
– Upper Valley Pediatrics – call 802-785-4722 for an appointment.
– South Royalton Health Center – call 802-763-7575.
Issues Facing Teens
• Join Thetford Academy’s Getting to Y team and other community members to discuss root causes of issues facing today’s teens and brainstorm solutions. Students at TA have identified 3 main concerns on which they would like to focus: teen sexual violence, vaping, and LGBTQ+ mental health.
• This Community Dialogue Event will take place on Thurs, March 21 at 6-7:30 in the library at Thetford Academy. Pizza will be provided. Please register in advance using this link.
Contact Kara Toms ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
A Tip for Better Mental Health:
• Smiling Mind is a helpful, free app for stress/anxiety/sleep issues Smiling Mind
• Helpful NPR article on dealing with stressors can help adults and students. How to manage stressors
Cannabis Youth Health Concerns
• Protect young children from accidental cannabis ingestion.
• Teach teens that increased cannabis use can be a sign of mental distress.
Please see this flyer from the Vermont Department of Health.
Here is the full list of Vermont cannabis stores currently offering the free, lockable storage bags.
- Capital Cannabis Company – Berlin
- Vermont Bud Barn – Brattleboro
- Euphoria Cannabis Products – Burlington
- The High Country – Derby
- Magic Mann – Essex
- FLORA – Middlebury
- Mountain Girl Cannabis – Rutland
- MothaPlant – St. Albans
- Northeast Kannabis – St. Johnsbury
- The Tea House – White River Junction
Thetford Town Service Officer
– A resource for winter: the town service officer can help with gas cards, fuel oil, etc. The town service officer can connect families with other supports.
– Jessica Eaton is the Thetford Town Service Officer and can be contacted for assistance for a wide variety of needs.
Email: [email protected]. Phone: 802.333.9491
Thetford Food Shelf
– The food shelf is open Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10 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 & open Fridays 5:30 -630 PM
– Bradford Academy’s food shelf, in Bradford, is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 3-4 p.m.; Wednesday, 5-6 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-noon
Israel and the Occupied Territories
– The International Red Cross is helping in the Mideast
– UNICEF is helping children
Ellen Gnaedinger, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Thetford Academy School Nurse