Health Office Update: March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024
Illnesses
• We have several cases of PINK EYE or Conjunctivitis
• We had 4 cases of viral pink eye & 6 cases of bacterial pink eye. Both are quite contagious. Viral pink eye can come from having a cold and then the virus moves to the eyes. It doesn’t need antibiotic drops and is usually improving within 24-48 hours.
• Bacterial pink eye is usually in both eyes with quite a bit of drainage and needs antibiotic drops/ointment.
Both can be easily transmitted from person to person and good hand washing/hand sanitizer helps prevent spreading the infection.
• If you think your child might have pink eye please call or email the health office before sending them to school.
• The good news is we don’t have many students sick with flu or viral sore throat this week. We’re very glad about that.
• 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.
A Tip for Better Mental Health:
• Consider removing Tik-Tok from your phone.
These high school students in Maine tried it and feel better
• 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
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