Important Announcements and Forms:

• The latest news about H1N1 Swine Flu in RRPS: Get the latest facts and information on prevention here...
• Get Your Children Ready for the 2009-2010 School Year!
  Free Immunizations for School-aged Children (up to 19 years of age) Thursday Shot Clinics. (pdf)
• Nutrition Guidelines: What RRPS follows for: Elementary | Middle | High school students and during School Activities
• Immunization Requirements: Immunization Information / Latest Requirements
• Nutrition Nuggets / Teen Food & Fitness (Get this month's parent newsletter!)
• Parent Guide on Bullying (New)
• Backpack Safety
• Worried about Head Lice? Check out the FACTS here...
• Are your kids getting enough sleep?
• Obesity and Children: Helping Your Child Keep a Healthy Weight
• 10 Steps for Parents: Healthy Eating at School
  

Field Trip Medications

Parents/guardians are responsible for providing their student’s daily medication for field trip administration. This medication must be given directly to the teacher or school nurse by the parent/guardian. The parent/guardian may wish to provide the medication in an envelope clearly marked with the child’s name, the medication to be given, the dosage and time to administer the medication or it may be in a pharmacy labeled prescription bottle. Only one dose should be provided by the parent for the off-campus activity.

 

For students who self-administer their medication, they may place a single dose of the medication in an envelope under observation by the school nurse or health assistant and the school nurse will label the envelope with the student’s name, name of the mediation, dose, and time of administration. A prescription medication form must be on file in the school health office. Documentation requirements pursuant to Section II D of the Medication Section of the School Health Manual shall apply.

 

CALLING ALL NURSES!
Are you a registered nurse or do you know a registered nurse who would like to be a substitute school nurse with Rio Rancho Public Schools? Some of our students require complex nursing procedures such as nebulizer treatments, glucose monitoring, gastrostomy tube and tracheostomy care. If you are interested, please contact the Rio Rancho Public School District Office at 896-0667, or visit our online job listings.

The Sandoval County Public Health Office is offering walk-in shot clinics every Thursday:

• Immunizations are free
• Bring your childs immunization record

The Sandoval County Health Office is located at:
1500 Idalia Rd, Building B
Bernalillo, NM 87004 (Hwy 528 and Idalia)
Call 867-2291 for more information

Tetanus boosters are required every 10 years. If your student will need a tetanus booster shot before the next school year, you will be notified in the mail. Click here to download the latest Immunization Requirements for 2009-10.

Immunization Information

Students must be current on all required immunizations before they will be permitted to attend school.  The required immunizations are as follows:

DTP, DTaP, Td (Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis)	Four doses; at least one must be given on or after the child’s fourth birthday.  A three-dose original series is sufficient if immunization starts at 7 years of age or later.
Td/Tdap (Tetanus/Diphtheria booster)	Tdap is required for students entering the 7th grade if five or more years have passed since their last tetanus-containing vaccine.  Tdap is required for students in grades 10-12 only if 10 or more years have passed since their last tetanus-containing vaccine.   Boosters are recommended for adults every 10 years.
Polio  (OPV, IPV, or any combination of the two)	Three doses are sufficient if all IPV or all OPV are used and the last dose is administered on or after the fourth birthday.  If all three doses were administered before age four or the child received a combination of IPV and OPV, a fourth dose administered after age 4 is required.  Regardless of age, four or more doses with a minimum of 28 days between each dose is acceptable.
MMR (Measles/Mumps/Rubella) A measles-containing virus vaccine can substitute for one of the MMR’s	Two doses, the first administered on or after the child’s first birthday and the second administered at least 28 days after the first.  Administration of the 2nd dose on/after the child’s fourth birthday is recommended.
Hepatitis B	Three doses with a minimum of 4 months between the first and third dose.  If child is receiving immunization for the first time and is 11-15 years old, two-dose Recombivax HB vaccine is valid if second dose is administered at least 16 weeks after the first dose.
Varicella (Chickenpox) Grades K-6 only	Kindergarten and First Grade Students: two doses after the child’s first birthday with at least 28 days between first and second dose. Grade 2-6 Students: one dose; or for all grade levels written proof child is immune or has had disease (preferably medical or laboratory record).
Required for Preschool Students Only:
Haemophilus Influenza type B (Hib)	3 doses with 1 after first birthday or 1 dose between 16 mo-5yr.
Hepatitis A	One dose required by 18 months; two are recommended with at least six months between doses
An annual influenza immunization is not required for school attendance; however, some physicians now recommend that children be immunized annually against flu viruses.  Parents may wish to discuss this suggestion with their family doctor or health clinic. The New Mexico Department of Health suggests that fifth and sixth-grade girls be vaccinated against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) to provide prevention against the virus that causes cervical cancer.  Parents may wish to discuss this suggestion with their family doctor or health clinic.  This vaccination is not required for school attendance.  Please contact your family physician, health clinic, or the school nurse at your child ’s school for more specific information about any of the required or suggested immunizations.

Here are links to important immunization documents:

• Immunization Requirement Chart (pdf)
• Conscientious Objector Status Application and Instructions

Prescription Medication:

1. An Authorization to Administer Prescription Medication form (non-Asthma) must be filled out by the student’s prescribing health care practitioner, and signed by the parent.
2. If your child has Asthma, complete and return the Authorization to Administer Prescription Medication form.
3. Allergy Action Plan: Completed by the pediatrician for children with multiple, severe allergies; must be completed each year.
4. A separate authorization form must be filled out for EACH medication administered.
5. Changes in medication require a new authorization form signed by the prescribing health care practitioner and parent/guardian.
6. Medication must be in the original pharmacy labeled container.
7. All medication must be brought to the Health Office by the parent/guardian.
8. Written communication from the parent/guardian is required for any medication changes.
9. When medication is discontinued during the school year, it must be picked up within one week. Unclaimed medication will be destroyed. In addition, the parent/guardian must submit a written authorization to discontinue medication administration at school.
10. When the school year ends, all medication must be picked up by the last day of school. Unclaimed medications will be destroyed.

Non-Prescription Medication:

1. An Authorization to Administer Over the Counter Medication form must be filled out by the parent/guardian.
2. A separate authorization form must be filled out for EACH medication administered.
3. Non-prescription medication must be in a sealed original bottle with the manufacture’s label. All medication must be brought to the Health Office by the parent or guardian.
4. When medication is discontinued during the school year, it must be picked up in one week or it will be destroyed. In addition, the parent/guardian must provide a written request to discontinue medication administration at school.
5. All medication must be picked up by the last day of school. Unclaimed medications will be destroyed.
6. OTC medications may be sent home with the child only if written permission has been obtained from the parent or guardian. An OTC medication shall not be transported by students younger than middle school students.

Diabetes Medical Management Plan - To be completed by the child's physician and submitted to the school nurse.

Download All Sports/Athletic Forms here!

Help your children eat healthy!

Wondering if you or your kids should get the flu shot this year? Here is a terrific link to the Center for Disease Control that gives lots of information on current viruses, epidemics, and how to avoid getting the flu!

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

For twenty-three million students nationwide, the school day begins and ends with a trip on the school bus. The greatest risk is not riding the bus, but approaching or leaving the bus. Students should follow these common sense practices to make school bus transportation safer. Parents please share this information with your children.

1. Get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
2. When the bus approaches, stand at least six feet away from the curb, and line up away from the street.
3. Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says that it’s okay before stepping onto the bus.
4. It you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road to a point at least ten feet ahead of the bus before you cross.
5. Be sure that the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.
6. Use the handrails to avoid falls.
7. When exiting the bus, be careful that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps don’t get caught in the handrails or doors.
8. Never walk behind the bus.
9. Walk at least 6 feet away from the side of the bus.
10. If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up because the bus driver may not be able to see you.

Allergies

An early allergy season brings with it dry, itchy eyes. So what’s the difference between allergic conjunctivitis and "pink eye"? Pink eye, or bacterial or viral conjunctivitis is heralded by sticky, yellow discharge from the eye that makes the eye difficult to open in the morning. The eye may be tender and sensitive to light. The infection often begins in only one eye.

Allergic conjunctivitis is usually seen in both eyes and is very itchy, The drainage from the eye is usually clear. Symptoms may be similar and should be diagnosed by a physician.

Tips For Relief:

• Cool, moist washcloths over the eyes can provide some relief from the itching and swelling.
• Refrigerating over the counter eye drops will help with the itching also. Remove contacts and eye make up for comfort.
• Close windows in the home , especially at night and early morning when pollen counts are high to avoid exposure.
• See your physician for prescription medication if necessary.

The SLEEP Connection

Does your student argue constantly about small issues? Does he or she have trouble beginning homework or chores, want to be isolated from friends and family or become excessively emotional? These may be signs of impending teenage hood or sleep deprivation.

 

Teens and pre-teens seem to manage on little sleep, but in reality, many students require more sleep than studies show they are getting. 10 – 12 year olds require about 9 hours of sleep.

Sleep is very important to a child’s growth and development. Good sleep encourages the release of growth hormone in children. Nervous system functioning depends on adequate sleep as well as good immune system response. Deep sleep increases the production of proteins needed to build and repair cells. Students who do not get enough sleep get irritable. Short-term memory becomes impaired and attention span decreases. Without enough sleep, a student’s performance in class may become inconsistent. If your student’s teacher is seeing some of these behaviors in class, review your child’s sleep pattern. He or she may only need an earlier bedtime to improve school performance