Check out these Halloween safety tips to stay safe while trick-or-treating this year.
Flu Shots Can Reduce Sick Days
Flu season is coming! Now is a great time for you and your children to get your flu shots for this year if you have not yet done so.
Got vaccinated last year? Make plans to go again this year: Flu vaccines must be given every year to remain effective, as your immunity declines over time. Also, each year’s vaccine targets the strains of the influenza virus expected to be circulating that year. Everyone age six months and older should be immunized against flu every year to minimize the risk of contracting the disease and suffering its complications.
Children under 5 are especially vulnerable to the flu and its complications, which can include pneumonia, dehydration, and ear infections. A flu vaccine provides exposure to flu germs in a controlled manner that triggers your child’s immune system to create flu-fighting antibodies without providing so much exposure that it makes them sick or at risk for serious flu complications.
Sources for the Flu Vaccine
The flu vaccine is available from doctors, convenience clinics such as CVS Minute Clinic, and pharmacies. Most insurance plans cover the full cost of the vaccine, but check with your health insurance to learn how to receive a covered vaccination.
You can also receive a FREE flu shot at one of Montgomery County’s Flu Vaccine Clinics. The next clinics are scheduled for Nov. 12 and 18.
Flu Symptoms
Many people associate the flu with vomiting or diarrhea, but these symptoms usually only show up in children. Someone sick with flu may not exhibit them at all. The flu, also known as influenza, is actually a respiratory system infection and may be confused with a cold. Common flu symptoms include:
fever
chills
muscle or body aches
fatigue
runny or stuffy nose
sore throat
cough
headache
Preventing the Spread of Flu Germs
Wash your hand frequently (and teach your children to do so as well).
Stay home when you are sick. You or your child should be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to regular activities, including preschool. It is GSLP policy that students must be fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications for 24 hours before returning to class.
Cover coughs and sneezes. Use your elbow or a tissue, not your hands.
Clean frequently touched surfaces with a product that can kill flu germs. Diluted bleach solution or an EPA-registered disinfectant can do the job.
Please Help Us Expand Our "Hello" Display
Is there a language important to your family that is not yet represented on GSLP’s “Hello!” display in the preschool hallway? Pick up one of our extra display cards outside Ms. Fischer’s office and write “hello” in that language (and write the name of the language on the back) so we can add it. Thank you for helping us ensure all our students and families feel represented at our school!
Child Find, Infants and Toddlers, and Other Community Resources
Did you know … that GSLP website offers a page devoted to links to resources to help you promote your child’s development?
Our Community Resources Guide page includes links to information on Child Find and Infants and Toddlers, groups that provide free screenings and services for children who may have a developmental delay. Addressing developmental delays as early as possible helps get a child on track to be ready for kindergarten at age 5 and succeed in their later school career. Your child’s teacher may offer you information on these programs during Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences based on the results of the Ages & Stages screening completed for all students.
The page also includes links to programs that offer workshops and publications designed to support you as a parent in your role as your child’s first teacher, such as the Parent Encouragement Program and Maryland Family Network.
Finally, the page allows you to download the most recent edition of the Resource Guide published by MCPS’s Office of Student and Family Support and Engagement. This guide includes contact information for community resources that can help families dealing with medical issues, financial difficulties, immigration dilemmas, and more, as well as pointing to groups offering summer recreation and adult education opportunities.
Full STEAM Caregiver Workshop
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
9:40-10:40 AM in Room 200
Educational Program Director Ms. Colleen Fischer will discuss:
What STEAM - STEM plus the Arts - looks like in early childhood
How STEAM education promotes child development
Resources for finding activities that build STEM skills
Ideas for STEAM projects to try at home
Toys will be available for children not in class who attend with their caregivers. Please let us know if we will see you there… (See full post for the RSVP form!)