The Role of the School Nurse:

The primary role of the school nurse is to support student learning. This is accomplished by implementing strategies that promote student and staff health.

 

In order to learn well, your child needs to be healthy. Here are some tips:

 

1.  If your child is sick with a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or if you suspect strep throat, pinkeye or any other contagious condition, please keep him or her home and seek medical attention. Not only will your child get well faster with rest and proper care, but you may help prevent a sickness from going through a whole class. See this regulation for guidelines, 758-1 Emergencies.

 

2.  See that your child gets a good night's sleep. Elementary school age children need more sleep than older children or adults. Ten hours per night for younger students, and eight or more for older elementary students will help them be alert and ready to learn.

 

3.  Make sure your child eats breakfast. A good breakfast supplies the energy needed for the morning. A combination of carbohydrate (bread or cereal), some fruit or juice and some protein (meat, egg, milk) will help your child learn through the morning lessons. Sugary foods tend to make a person feel droopy after an hour or two, so keep the sweets to a minimum.

 

4.  Water is a great thirst-quencher. Our bodies need several glasses of plain water every day.

 

5.  See that your child gets exercise every day. Time to run and play after school helps your child stay fit and generate energy for the afternoon's homework and activities. How about a walk around the neighborhood together?

 

6.  A well balanced diet will keep your child healthy. Help your child choose healthy snacks rather than sweets and chips. Prince William County has begun a new Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth initiative. As a school and as a division, we are working towards ensuring all snacks are healthy for our students to consume. Please assist us in reducing the amount of sweets, sodas, and other non-nutritional food items and replace them with healthy food. The healthy snacks you send for your child should be in age-appropriate portions. Suggestions include fresh fruit, raw vegetables, string cheese, cheese and crackers, pretzels, a cup of applesauce, granola bars, fruit snacks, or yogurt.