Fall River School District Nurse

Becky O'Neill RN BSN

150 Bradley Street

Fall River WI 53932

(920)484.3333 ext. 229

email address: oneillr@fallriver.k12.wi.us

May 2, 2013

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Your child may have been exposed to an unconfirmed but treated case of scabies. This letter gives you details on what to watch for in your child. Please contact your healthcare provider if you suspect your child has scabies.

Scabies is a skin condition caused by mites burrowing under the skin. It may cause intense itching, especially at night. It is spread by direct skin to skin contact with someone with the disease. Symptoms may appear in 4 to ­6 weeks for someone who has never had scabies. For those who have had scabies, it may be 1 to 4 days. A person must stay home for 24 hours from the time of treatment. That means no school, work or daycare.

If your child is diagnosed with scabies, please notify your child’s school office as soon as possible. School is responsible for notifying those exposed to the disease and those with certain health conditions. Please contact by email at oneillr@fallriver.k12.wi.us or Dan Dowden at 484.3333 ext. 227 if you have concerns.

Rebecca O’Neill RN BSN

Enclosure: Wisconsin Department of Health Services Communicable Disease Fact Sheet

http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p4/p42089.pdf

MEDICATION CONSENT FORM 2012-2013

March 7, 2013

During the months of January and February I was able to complete vision and hearing screenings for the students with the assistance of parents and grandparents from PSG. Vision is conducted on students in 5K, 2 and 4. I will be completing vision for grade 6 during an upcoming class yet this spring. Hearing was completed for grades 4K, 5K, 1 & 2. We screened over 100 students for vision and over 160 students for hearing. With the help of several volunteers this process went very smoothly and I am grateful for the help of every single one of them. Without the generous help of parents and grandparents, I would not be able to complete these important screenings for our students. If you have concerns about your child or grandchild’s vision or hearing, and they are not in the targeted grade levels, please contact me and I will get them screened yet this school year.

November 20, 2012

As your child’s school nurse, I want to make you aware of a medical problem that impacts school around the country, usually this time of year when student are back to school.

Pediculosis, or head lice, is a condition that each year affects approximately six to 12 million children between the ages of three and 12 years of age, and about one in every 100 elementary school children. Head lice are parasites that are generally found on the scalp, around the ears, and the back of the neck. The adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed, and can be reddish brown in color. Eggs, or nits, are smaller and silver in color.

Head lice are not a sign of poor hygiene and they do not transmit disease. Transmission from one child to another can occur during direct head to head contact or sharing of personal items such as combs, brushes, caps or helmets.

The most common symptom of head lice is head scratching, particularly at night, although red bite marks may also be noticed. If you suspect that your child has head lice, he or she should be examined or consulted by your health care provider for treatment options. There are many safe and effective products available, both over the counter and prescription, to treat the problem. It is important to follow the directions carefully. Parents should also wash in hot water or dry-clean all recently worn clothing, hats, used bedding and towel. Personal care items such as combs, brushes and hair clips should be washed in hot water.

My goal as school nurse is to provide you with the information you need to safeguard your child’s health, and ensure that his or her education is not disrupted, but remains the most positive experience possible. Below you will also find a link to information regarding the myths vs. facts of head lice and transmission. Please refer to it for some very valuable information.

We must keep the problem of head lice in perspective, as it is not a serious health problem, rather an annoying and unpleasant condition. Head lice are a problem nationwide, so we are not alone. Overreacting will not help. Parents and schools, working together, in an intelligent, open manner, always is a more effective approach. Thank you for your cooperation with this situation.

If you have any questions, you may contact me or call the principal, Mr. Dan Dowden at 484.3333 ext 227.        

Information regarding Head Lice:

There is a lot of false information and myths when it comes to dealing with Head Lice. Below is a list of myths and the truth when it comes to dealing with Pediculosis (Head Lice). Please let me know if you have any questions regarding lice and your child(ren) at school.

September 6, 2012

Changes with Vaccinations through Columbia County

I want to inform you of a major change regarding the Wisconsin Immunization Program that begins on October 1, 2012.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has informed the Wisconsin Immunization Program that beginning October 1, 2012 vaccine funded through Public Health Service Act Section 317 (PHSAS 317) cannot be administered to individuals that have private insurance that includes coverage for immunization services.  Vaccines supplied to all local health departments in Wisconsin are from the Wisconsin Immunization Program.  These vaccines are funded through a combination of funds from the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program and PHSAS 317.  VFC vaccine can be administered to individuals that are 18 years of age and younger that,  1) have no insurance or 2) are on Medical Assistance or 3) are Native American or 4) are Alaska Natives.   The funds for vaccine for administration for all others is through PHSAS 317.  The primary focus of the 317 vaccine is for individuals that are underinsured. 

In the past it has been the Wisconsin Immunization Program policy  that state supplied vaccine could be used on individuals that were insured, as to not miss an opportunity.  The local health department then was to advocate that individual back to their regular physician/medical home for future immunizations.  As of October 1, 2012, the Wisconsin Immunization Program can no longer supply vaccine for anyone (children or adults) that has private insurance that includes vaccine coverage.  Please be aware that an individual that has a deductible or copay, no matter the amount, for vaccine services is considered to be insured and would not be eligible for state supplied vaccine. As with the VFC program, verification of insurance status in writing is not required.

In summary, on October 1, 2012 local health departments in Wisconsin cannot use state supplied  vaccine for children or adults that have health insurance that includes coverage for immunizations.