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Jennifer Higdon, RN
Hours 7:30am - 3pm
Click on the link below to email me at any time.
jennifer.higdon@hancock.kyschools.us
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Healthy students learn better! So let's use Habit #2 and Start with the end in mind! If a child does not feel well because of aches and pains, their performance at school declines. This in turn interupts the classroom as a whole, effecting fellow students and the teacher. Please bring OTC (over the counter) pain/relief medications to me such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Tums/Rolaids/Pepto, Allergy relief, eye drops or anything else that your child my need on a fairly frequent basis. If they have medical issues at home they will have them here as well. The quicker I can take care of head aches, sore throats, coughs, allergies and tummy aches, the quicker your child can get back to learning. Also, if I have these medications on hand I will not have to call you in the middle of the day to bring them for your child. All medications must be age or weight appropriate and in the bottle they came in. I cannot give them adult medication unless I have a note from their doctor. And please feel free to email, call, or send me a note if anything is going on with your child that I may need to know, this is always helpful.
Health Tips & Links
Head Lice
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/common/head_lice.html
http://policy.ksba.org/Handlers/OnlineDocumentHandler.ashx?id=32328&SubscriberId=43
Pink Eye
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/eye/conjunctivitis.html
Brushing Your Teeth
http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/body/teeth_care.html
The Family Resource Center at North Hancock Elementary helps to meet the needs of all children and families in our school. One of our goals is to ensure that families have accesses to health care and community resources. The FRC provides dental health services in the school setting, make referrals to community agencies that offer physical and mental health services and offer programs that provide health education and information. If your family has a health related need, such as KCHIP insurance, vision/eyeglasses assistance or where to find medical care for your child, contact the Family Resource Center to assist you.
Good hand washing is the first line of defense against the spread of many illnesses, from the common cold to more serious illnesses. Kids don't always listen when you tell them to wash their hands before eating, after using the bathroom, or when they come inside from playing. But it's a message worth repeating — hand washing is by far the best way to prevent germs from spreading and to keep your kids from getting sick.
Don't underestimate the power of hand washing! The few seconds you spend at the sink could save you trips to the doctor's office.
Washing Hands Correctly: Here's how to scrub those germs away. Demonstrate this routine to your kids — or better yet, wash your hands together often so they learn how important this good habit is:
- Wash your hands in warm water. Make sure the water isn't too hot for little hands.
- Use soap and lather up for about 20 seconds (sing the ABC’s 2 times). Make sure you get in between the fingers and under the nails where uninvited germs like to hang out. And don't forget the wrists!
- Rinse and dry well with a clean towel.
To minimize the germs passed around your family, make frequent hand washing a rule for everyone, especially:
- before eating and cooking
- after using the bathroom
- after cleaning around the house
- after touching animals, including family pets
- before and after visiting or taking care of any sick friends or relatives
- after blowing one's nose, coughing, or sneezing
- after being outside (playing, gardening, walking the dog, etc.)
Send to School or Stay at Home?
Many parents have a hard time deciding if their kids are well enough to go to school. After all, what well-intentioned parent hasn't sent a child off with tissues in hand, only to get that mid-morning "come get your child" phone call?
So trust your instincts. If your child has the sniffles or a minor complaint but has not slowed down at home, chances are they are well enough for the classroom. On the other hand, if they have been up in the night sick or complaining, they may need to take it easy at home or even seek medical attention. And remember, go with your gut. You know your kids best, and you know when they're able to motor through the day — and when they're not. If you ever feel like your child is upset or nervous about something going on at school like having to give a presentation or speech, or a problem in the classroom please notifiy us here at the school we can help your child.
Of course, never send a child to school who has a fever, is nauseated, vomiting, or has had diarrhea in the previous 12 hours. Kids who are not normally clingy, are lethargic, complaining of pain, or who just don't seem to be acting "themselves" should also take a sick day and possibly seek medical attention. Remember, each child has 5 days they can miss with only a parents excuse after that they will need a Dr's note. Please see below for the complete Attendance Policy.
Click here to view the NHES Attendence Policy
