Health Office Update: January 23, 2025
January 23, 2025
Dental Care this Winter will be Jan. 27th -Feb. 6th:
Students will get their teeth cleaned next week & the beginning of the following week. Please remind your children.
• The HealthHub dentist is at the Chelsea Health Center & does fillings there.
• Please call or email Nurse Ellen with any questions.
Illnesses at TA
Unfortunately we continue seeing a few more influenza cases. Please consider getting flu shots. The CDC and the VT Dept. of Health are showing a continued increase in influenza. This is one of the important jobs of the CDC to get real-time influenza updates to schools, doctors and each state.
Pneumonia
Is still circulating in the community.
Head Cold
• There is a long-lasting head cold going around with a lot of congestion & a cough. Rest, fluids & humidified air help.
Stomach Virus
• We have fewer cases of the stomach bug.
Illness prevention tips: Early bed, 3 meals/day, staying hydrated, hand washing, cover sneezes & coughs. PLEASE don’t share water bottles or food.
Flu Shots or Covid Boosters
• If you missed the flu clinic and would still like your student to receive a flu shot or Covid booster your student can get an appointment for a flu/Covid shot at Upper Valley Pediatrics or Kinney in Bradford.
Tips for Better Mental Health:
• Smiling Mind is a helpful, free app for stress/anxiety/sleep issues Smiling Mind
The Family Place is starting 2 support groups: Supporting students who have experienced trauma and supporting Grandparents raising grandchildren:
The Family Place is excited to share about two upcoming support groups that will be offered beginning at the end of January!
• Caring for Kids with Trauma will begin on 1/23/25. It will be held on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, from 9-10 am (coffee/breakfast available beginning at 8:45).
• Grandparents Raising Grandkids will begin on 2/6/25. It will be held on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month, from 9-10 am (coffee/breakfast available beginning at 8:45)
• These groups will provide an opportunity for caregivers to connect, while receiving support, education, and resources related to their unique needs.
• Financial assistance for transportation (gas cards) will be available on an as-needed basis.
• The registration form is attached & completed forms and/or questions can be sent to [email protected]
Mental Health Support in Chelsea:
SafeArt is a community-based organization that engages creativity and the expressive arts as tools to support mental health and overall well-being.
Please see the attached flyer.
Safe Winter Driving
• New drivers please be cautious during the winter driving season.
• In bad weather, please slow down and arrive safely.
Thetford Town Service Officer – for Thetford Residents Only
• A resource for all seasons: 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
Ellen Gnaedinger, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Thetford Academy School Nurse