Phoenix Health
Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. Phoenix Health focuses on children as if they were our own.
NURSE CONTACTS
| Primary School | Deanna Hamblin |
| Elementary School | Jennifer Kachnovich |
| Middle School | Jessica Jewett |
| High School | Jessica Jewett |
Welcome to Phoenix Health
We’re working hard to produce new and important content for this page. Information will be posted below as it becomes available.
Head Lice Education
View our 2018 Head Lice Education letter.
Immunization Information
Flu Vaccination Information
Lice Letter
RSU #73
Head Lice Education
WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
Lice are small insects about the size of a sesame seed, usually light brown in color though they may change color to blend with hair. They shy away from light so are very difficult to see. Diagnosis is usually made because of the presence of nits (lice eggs). Nits are tiny, yellowish oval specks that are attached to the hair shaft about ¼ inch from the scalp. The louse cements nits on so they are difficult to remove, they will not wash off or blow away.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND LICE/NITS:
- Please do not treat your child unless there are live lice present in the hair. Treatment will not prevent lice. Check other family members but treat only those that have live lice.
- If you find nits, please continue to check your child’s hair daily for live lice.
- If you find live lice please treat your child. There are many possible treatments for head lice:
- Over the counter or prescription lice treatments – follow package directions.
- Hair lubrication like cream rinse, mayonnaise, olive oil or conditioner.
- Manual removal with a lice comb or by hand.
- Whichever treatment you choose must be accompanied by thorough combing of live lice and nit removal. This is best done using a fine tooth lice comb (metal ones are best), combing through the hair in sections until all live lice are removed by hand. All visible nits should be removed by hand.
- Every day for 14 days following this treatment, run the lice comb through dry hair (preferable in the morning before school) to remove any tiny lice that may have hatched from missed nits. (The tendency is to quit combing after a few days finding no lice, but eggs may hatch up to 10 days after being laid leading to a second infestation.)
- Change and launder bedding that day and weekly after that. Launder clothing, coats and hats worn in the last few days. Otherwise, spend the most time removing lice and nits from the hair.
- You may do some light vacuum of the home (rugs, couch, etc), however do not use sprays – they are unnecessary and may be harmful.
- Combs and brushes may be scrubbed with a toothbrush or soaked in warm soapy water or boiled.
- No school time need be missed.
- Girls – please wear your hair up in a ponytail everyday!!
Please feel free to contact any of the school nurses for any concerns or questions!!
Life-Threatening Allergies Protocol
Regional School Unit 73
Life-Threatening Allergies Protocol
Management of life-threatening allergies at school is focused primarily on prevention of exposure to known allergens. The school nurse will work with the student, family and teacher to develop a plan to minimize the likelihood of exposure throughout the school day. In addition, an emergency plan will be developed to ensure prompt and appropriate response in the event of anaphylaxis. Parents will notify the school nurse and provide an allergy action plan for a student with identified allergies.
- The parent will bring medication to the school health office to have available in the event of an allergic reaction. A medication permission form or allergy emergency action plan must be completed and signed by the parent and the student’s physician on an annual basis.
- The school nurse will notify school staff of the emergency allergy plan of any student identified with known life-threatening allergies.
- Epinephrine auto-injectors and any other allergy medication will be sent with the student or appropriate staff if the student leaves the building on a field trip.
- The school unit may supply each school building with an epinephrine auto-injector for students with unknown allergies who present with a life-threatening situation.
- School personnel should be trained annually in the care of the student with allergies.
- Epinephrine auto-injectors will be kept where it can be reached quickly.
The student’s parent and the school principal will be notified whenever an epinephrine auto-injector is used at school.
The epinephrine auto-injector should be used as follows:
- Most epinephrine auto-injectors contain 0.3mg/0.3mi epinephrine for intramuscular use (use for the person over 66 pounds).
- The junior epinephrine auto-injector contains 0.15mg/0.15 ml epinephrine for intramuscular use (use for person under 66 pounds).
- Epinephrine auto-injectors may be used through clothing if necessary.
- Remove the colored cap or top.
- Place the colored tip on the thigh at a right angle to the leg (or follow directions on the epinephrine auto-injector insert.)
- Press hard into the thigh until the auto-injector functions, count to ten and then remove the epinephrine auto-injector.
Flu Outbreak Recommendations
Everyone has the power to stop the spread of infections. There are key things that we all can do with minimal effort and no expense that offer great protection from any viral infections, including influenza:
- Proper handwashing alone will reduce the likelihood of any viral infection by 50%! Wash your hands upon arrival to school, arrival back at home, before meals, after using the bathroom, and any time they are visibly soiled. Hands are the #1 infectious disease transmitter!!
- Avoid close contact with anyone that is visibly ill….coughing, sneezing, etc. Droplets become airborne through coughing and sneezing and will travel about 3 feet to be inhaled by a nearby person. Remember, the correct method to contain germs is to cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue!
- If you are really sick….stay home!! Symptoms of influenza (flu) and influenza-like illness (ILI) include fever (over 100 degrees), cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea (especially in children). Call your doctor or seek medical care if you have trouble breathing or are unable to eat or drink for more than a day. You should stay home for 24 hours after fever resolves without the use of medication.
- Do not touch the T Zone! This is the area of your face that includes your eyes, nose and mouth. Remember it is the only portal of entry into the human body for all respiratory and stomach infections! If you must touch the T Zone (like to rub your eye, etc) wash your hands first, or use a barrier like a tissue.
- Don’t hesitate to vaccinate! Be sure to stay up to date on all immunizations recommended by your health care provider. Get the flu vaccine every year. A flu shot received in the fall will offer protection until early spring! (Even if the vaccine is not 100% effective against a virus, it still may help to minimize the severity of illness!)
Thank you for doing your part to keep us all healthy during this cold and flu season!! If you have any questions or concerns please contact your school nurse or health care provider.
Sincerely,
Your RSU 73 School Nurses.
Immunizations Information
Recent Changes im Maine Immunization Requirements
We think it may be helpful to provide some information regarding several recent changes in Maine immunization requirements for school children. Hopefully this summary will be helpful as you prepare to begin the new school year.
A recent change in the law related to immunization exemption for school children will go into effect in 2021. This law allows immunization exemptions for medical reasons only. We will learn how this change will be implemented over the next year or so. We will share information when it becomes available to us.
Students entering grade 7 this year must have one tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) booster (given after age 7) and one meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) before school starts. The school nurse has contacted all students that will be affected by this new requirement.
Students entering grade 12 this year must have at least one meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine. Students that have received one MCV4 vaccine before age 16 must have a second immunization given after age 16. Students receiving their first vaccine now will only need one to enter school. The school nurse has contacted all students that will be affected by this new requirement.
Please feel free to contact school nurse Jessica Jewett at 320-3802 with any questions you may have regarding immunization requirements for school children. Waivers are accepted for this school year.
Contact The Health & Nursing Department
Primary School
Email: DHamblin@rsu73.com
Elementary School
Email: JKachnovich@rsu73.com
Middle School
Email: JJewett@rsu73.com
High School
Email: JJewett@rsu73.com