NEW BRAINTREE GRADE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 24, 2014

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1 NEW BRAINTREE GRADE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 24, 2014 IMPORTANT REMINDER TO PARENTS We ask all parents of Kindergarten and Grade 1 students who are dropping their children off in the morning to please NOT walk your child to their classrooms. If your child needs assistance please stop into the office and Mrs. Rousseau will be happy to help. Thank you for your co-operation. KIDSTUFF COUPON BOOKS FUNDRAISER is underway. New Braintree Grade School earns 50% profit on each book sold! If you wish to purchase the book that was sent home simply enclose payment of $25.00 in the payment envelope (checks made payable to QRSD). If you choose not to purchase the book just return it to school. ALL books or payments must be returned by Friday, October 31 st. Thank you! NO SCHOOL on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 TH. CURRICULUM DAY!

2 SPECIAL THANK YOU to Mark Borelli and the New Braintree Fire Department, New Braintree and Hardwick Police Departments, Barre and Oakham Fire Departments, Borelli Machine, Hardwick Kilns and Dave s Towing for providing the time and materials for the birdhouse project with preschoolers. The students had a wonderful time making the bluebird houses to take home. Also visiting NBGS on that day were Matthew Malone, Secretary of the Department of Education, Senator Brewer and Representative Anne Gobi, watching the fire and police from the towns of the Quabbin District working with our preschoolers. Note from the Nurse: Flu season is quickly approaching. As a reminder, the Department of Public Health recommends that everyone from the age 6 months and older be vaccinated. Please check with your child s health care provider to see if the flu vaccine is available there. Our school follows the Health Department s recommendations that: Temperatures over 100 stay home. Children should not return to school until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of Tylenol or Motrin. Students, who were home vomiting, should not return until they are keeping solid food down for 24 hours. Students who have been experiencing diarrhea, can return when they can toilet without accidents. If your child is diagnosed with strep, pink eye or being treated with antibiotics, please let Mrs. Tremblay know. Any questions, please call Mrs. Tremblay at

3 Flu (Influenza) DISEASES and the VACCINES THAT PREVENT THEM INFORMATION FOR PARENTS Reviewed February 2013 What is the flu? The flu short for influenza is an illness of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by influenza viruses. It spreads easily and can cause serious problems, especially for very young children, older people and people with certain long-term medical conditions like asthma and diabetes. The flu vaccine can protect against this disease. What are the symptoms of the flu? Flu symptoms can include the following: Fever (not everyone with the flu has a fever) Chills Cough Sore throat Headache Muscle aches Tiredness Some children with the flu will vomit or have diarrhea. Symptoms start about 2 days after contact with the virus. Some people get better in a few days, others can be sick for weeks. People can spread the flu from one day before symptoms begin to 5-7 days after. This can be longer in children and people who are very sick. How serious is the flu? Flu illness can be mild or very serious. Flu seasons also vary in how serious they are from one year to another. Between 1976 and 2006, estimated deaths in the United States from the flu ranged from about 3,000 during the mildest season to 49,000 during the most severe season. Complications from the flu include: Pneumonia (lung infection) Dehydration (loss of body fluids) Worsening of long-term medical conditions, like asthma and diabetes People who get these complications often need care in the hospital. In the United States, each year an average of 20,000 children younger than 5 years old need hospital care because of flu complications. Children with long-term medical conditions, babies and children younger than 2 years old are more likely to end up in the hospital from flu. How does the flu spread? Flu spreads when infected people talk, cough or sneeze and droplets with virus in them land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. You may also get the flu by touching an object with flu virus on it like a doorknob or used tissue and then touching your own eyes, nose, or mouth. People who have the flu should stay home (except to seek medical care) until 24 hours after their fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

4 Benefits of the flu vaccine Saves lives. Protects against serious disease. Protects against serious flu complications. Helps protect others. Side effects of the flu shot The most common side effects are usually mild and include the following: Redness, swelling, and sore arm from the shot Fever, muscle aches Side effects of the nasal spray flu vaccine The most common side effects are usually mild and include: Runny, stuffy nose Fever, headache, muscle aches Cough or wheezing Stomach ache or diarrhea CS I What is the flu vaccine? The flu vaccine is something you get to help protect against the flu. There are two kinds of flu vaccines: the shot, given with a needle, usually in the arm, and the nasal spray. How often should I get a flu vaccine? Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year. This is because each year, a new vaccine is made to protect against the latest flu viruses. Also, the protection from a vaccine wears off after time so you need a new vaccine to renew your protection. A flu vaccine will protect you all season. Which flu vaccine should my child get? Children without medical problems and no history of wheezing who are 2 years and older can get the nasal spray vaccine. Children 6 months to 2 years, children who have experienced wheezing in the past year, and children with long-term medical conditions (which includes asthma) should get the flu shot instead. Neither vaccine can cause the flu because the viruses are killed or weakened.

5 Babies younger than 6 months are too young to get either vaccine but they can be protected if their mother is vaccinated during pregnancy, and if everyone around them gets the flu vaccine. When should my child get the flu vaccine? Everyone should get the flu vaccine as soon as it is available each year. The body takes about 2 weeks to build protection against the flu after getting the vaccine, and protection lasts throughout the flu season. Some children 6 months through 8 years of age may need two doses of the vaccine to be fully protected. Ask your child s doctor how many doses they need. The flu vaccine can be given at the same time as other childhood vaccines. Why should my child get the flu vaccine? Even healthy children can get the flu and spread it to others. Getting your child the flu vaccine is the most important thing you can do to protect them from the flu and its possible complications. It can also help protect others, including babies younger than6 months who are too young to get the vaccine. Is the flu vaccine safe? Yes, flu vaccines are safe. Hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received seasonal flu vaccines. Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. Most people who get the flu vaccine have no side effects. Those that do occur are almost always mild, like a sore arm where the shot was given or a fever. Serious side effects are very rare. If my child does not get the flu vaccine, will he get flu? Without the flu vaccine, your child is more likely to get the flu. In fact, children are the most likely age group to get flu. Among children younger than 5 years old, flu is a common cause for doctor visits and trips to urgent care centers. Where can I learn more about the flu vaccine? To learn more about the flu vaccine or other vaccines, talk to your child s doctor. Call 800-CDC-INFO ( ) or go to and check out the following resources: Key Facts about Seasonal Flu: Infant Immunizations FAQs: Vaccines website for parents: What can I do to protect my child from the flu? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Family Physicians, and American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommend all children receive the flu vaccine every year. Keep your child away from people who are sick. Talk with your child s doctor if you have questions. Keep a record of your child s vaccinations to make sure your child is up-to-date.