THE BRITISH SCHOOL AL KHUBAIRAT
STATISTICS FOR TERM 2
DID YOU KNOW IN MARCH THE SCHOOL CLINIC HAD 659 VISITS AND 188 HEALTH SCREENINGS THAT IS A GRAND TOTAL OF
847 STUDENTS
PLEASE FOLLOW US ON TWITTER FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING AT #BSAKnursing
SUN SAFETY
As the weather is heating up, we would like highlight some sun safety guidelines: To ensure that students have a sun safe day please undertake the following measures. UV and UVA sunray will still be transmitted even on a cloudy cooler day.
Energy packed snacks:
Please provide a cool box with coolant with ample snacks to sustain students through the busy morning. Sandwiches, wraps, cold whole wheat pasta dishes prepared hydrating fresh fruit and vegetable sticks. Assorted cheese, whole wheat crackers. Small portion of plain biscuits or dried fruit, dates, banana.
Hydration:
Please provide a large water bottle 500ml or flask, encourage hydration with water and limit fruit drinks to no more than one carton. Additional water supplies are available for students to replenish on site. Remind children to take water bottles outside with them at break time.
Sun screen:
Please apply a minimum factor 30 sunscreen suitable to your child’s type of skin before school. At the weekend ensure sunscreen is applied every 2 hours and after being in the water.
Protective clothing/ Shade:
Wear a hat when outside with a brim or visor. Advise students to seek shaded areas where provided during break time. Please be aware that outside play will be restricted during hot periods. At weekends wear UV protective clothing and a hat.
WHATS HAPPENING IN CLINIC
Term 2 continued to be a very busy month in the School Clinic with the Nurses preparing for various trips and providing medical assistance for sporting events. We are continuing with our annual student health screenings and during Term 3 we have completed years 2, 3, 5, 12 and 13. We have now started to screen Year 4.
HEALTH EDUCATION Nurse Emma and Priya Mitchell (School Counsellor) have been delivering some very valuable and important Moral Education Training to 6th Form Students. The feedback from these sessions has been very positive and encouraging.
TEDS CLINIC We have seen all of our Nursery students who have been visiting the Clinic to help prepare the teddies for going to the Dentist, Doctors, preparing their healthy packed lunch and protecting them from the sun.
WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD AT HOME
Gastric concerns, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting Gastric like illnesses/infections can be passed amongst children very easily. Children should remain home until they are symptom free for a minimum of 48 hours (Health Authority directive), before returning to school. If your child’s health status deteriorates or doesn’t improve then please consult your doctor promptly, children become dehydrated very quickly.
Fever
Please be cautious if your child requires paracetamol, tylenol, ibuprofen or alternative medication to reduce a temperature/fever (38C and above, Health Authority directive) and keep them at home until they are symptom free without medication for at least a minimum of 24hours. Children are unable to concentrate and learn when unwell and can affect other children and staff across the school. Contact your doctor if you have any concerns with fever like illnesses.
Infectious illnesses (Health Aut hority directive)
If your child is suspected or has a confirmed diagnosis of an infectious illness i.e. measles, mumps, chicken pox, meningitis, scarlet fever etc. then please contact the school nurses directly (nurses@bsak.sch.ae) as soon as possible. The Nursing Team is then able to alert the school community if appropriate, and instigate measures as mandated by the health Authority. Nurses will provide guidance and liaise with parents and community health specialists in a sensitive manner as outlined in the Abu Dhabi Health Authority Communicable Disease Policy and Procedures.
Broken bones and reduced mobility at school
Please notify the Nursing Department directly and forward a copy of the doctor’s discharging report which provides diagnosis and care needs. The nurses can then provide support and care as appropriate. Identifying children with reduced mobility is important at times of fire drills. We do not have spare wheelchairs and crutches for students to borrow. If they require them for existing conditions we advise parents to request them from the hospital or surgery they are seen at. If your child is absent from school for 3 days or more, they will need a medical certificate to explain their absence. Please do not hesitate to contact the Nursing Team if you have any issues.
HEALTHY LUNCHBOX
It is important that your child brings to school as healthy and balanced a lunch as what they would eat at home. This means plenty of foods that contain the nutrients that children need, and fewer foods high in sugar and saturated fat.
Preparing your child's lunchbox
A balanced packed lunch should contain: starchy foods – these are bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and others protein foods – including meat, fish, eggs,beans and others a dairy item – this could be cheese or a yoghurt vegetables or salad and a portion of fruit. • • • •
starchy foods – these are bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and others protein foods – including meat, fish, eggs, beans and others a dairy item – this could be cheese or a yoghurt vegetables or salad and a portion of fruit
Low-fat snacks for kids
Children often like food they can eat with their fingers, so chop up raw veggies such as carrots or peppers and give them hummus or cottage cheese to dip the veggies in. Breadsticks and wholemeal crackers are great finger foods that can be spread with low-fat soft cheese or eaten with reduced-fat cheddar and pickles. Replace chocolate bars and cakes with fresh fruit. Vary the fruit each day and get them to try new things, such as kiwi or melon. You could also make up a tasty fruit salad. Be inventive and encourage your children when they try something new. Note that dried fruit is no longer recommended as a between-meal snack as it's high in sugar and can be bad for teeth PLEASE REMEMBER BSAK IS A NUT FREE SCHOOL
HANDWASHNG FACTS – STOP THE SPREAD OF GERMS IN SCHOOL
• 30% of people do not wash their hands after using the toilet. • Damp hands spread 1,000 times more germs than dry hands. • Everyone has bacteria on their hands. • Hand washing removes germs. • Staphylococcus bacteria causes skin infections such as infected acne, impetigo, boils and eye styes. • Escherichia Coli bacteria causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and some urinary tract infections. • Salmonella bacteria is the leading cause of food poisoning, symptoms include severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. • Streptococcus bacteria is the leading cause of sore throats, ear, chest, dental, heart and kidney infections. • Parasites are transferred via unwashed hands particularly thread worms. • Viruses are transmitted from your nose and throat via your hands when you have colds, flu, measles and chicken pox. • Germs are found on your mobile phone, remote controls, keyboards, door handles, sink taps, lift buttons and hand rails. Wash your hands regularly to reduce your contact.