Health Office Update: April 11, 2024
April 11, 2024
Ticks are out.
Ticks, ticks, ticks
Please check daily for deer ticks – especially outdoor classes and sports teams
• There are lots of deer ticks.
• Shower & wash clothes if you are out in tick territory.
• If a deer tick is attached to you for more than 24-36 hours call your pediatrician & get a one-time antibiotic to prevent Lyme Disease.
• Also, save the tick – show your doctor or Nurse Ellen
• Ellen’s Lyme Disease prevention video
Illnesses
• Pink eye cases are going away. We only had two cases this week. Thank you for everyone’s help with hygiene and extra cleaning!!!
• 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. TA had a few students with a stomach bug.
• 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:
Program on Technology, Teens and Substance Use:
Screenagers Under the Influence
Hosted by the Richmond Middle School:
• 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
Red Cross Blood Drive
Upper Valley Aquatic Center
Friday April 19th from 11 AM – 5 PM
Caution -Measles Cases in several U.S. States
Measles can cause severe illness. Vaccination against measles does an excellent job preventing this illness and complications.
States with measles cases
Ronald McDonald Dental Van returning May 21-24
Dental cleanings and treatment is provided.
If your child is a NEW patient please complete the form attached to this week’s Health Update email and return it to Nurse Ellen.
Nicotine Pouches and Addiction
Products like Zyn, don’t contain tobacco but contain flavored nicotine which can lead to teen nicotine addiction and cause nicotine poisoning in young children.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNpLRiduF8c
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