With the weather changing, we have seen an increase in the number of children coming to the nurse’s office. Also, flu season is here. The flu is a serious disease, but it is also preventable. Teaching students about the flu and the importance of annual flu vaccination is critical to help them stay healthy throughout the flu season. 

Flu Facts:

• Influenza is also called “the flu”. 

• The flu virus infects the respiratory system, which includes your nose, throat, and lungs. 

• Flu symptoms usually start suddenly and may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and tiredness. 

• Children and adults can spread the flu before they even feel sick and even after they feel better! 

• Typically, flu season can begin in October and can last as late as May. 

Stay Healthy During Flu Season: 

• The best way to stay healthy this and every flu season is by getting the flu vaccine. It is quick and simple and the best way to protect yourself and everyone around you from this serious disease. 

• Make sure to practice other healthy habits, too, such as: 

- Washing your hands frequently with soap and water or using hand sanitizer. 

- Staying home if you don’t feel well.

- Covering your nose and mouth (with a tissue or your elbow) when you sneeze or cough. 

- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth because germs spread this way. 

- Getting enough sleep. 

- Eating a healthy and balanced diet.

The Center for Disease Control and KDHE recommends that people who are sick with flu-like symptoms should stay home for at least 24 hours (possibly up to 5-7 days) after the fever is gone. Fever MUST be gone without the use of a fever reducing medication (i.e. Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or Motrin (Ibuprofen)) for a full 24 hours before student is to return to school. Just a reminder that we do not have a supply of Tylenol or Ibuprofen here at school. We can oly give medications that parents have supplied along with a signed document. Help send the message to your children that school is important, but keep them home for fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and continuous coughing.

Thank you again for all your help and cooperation in helping keep your child healthy and MES a safe and healthy place for your student to learn.  

Thanks, Nurse Erin

Join us for a community event sponsored by USD266.

Parenting in Today's Digital World: Thursday, December 10th from 7:30-9:00am at Maize Recreation Commission. Hosted by Maize counselors and police. The focus is on protecting our kids in the digital world of social media, gaming, and online safety.  The district will provide more information in the upcoming weeks.

Enjoy the long break and encourage your child to show generosity!   

bstephens@usd266.com and anietfeld@usd266.com

I hope your Thanksgiving was special and I hope everyone is staying warm and healthy. Our archery unit will be finishing up in mid December, and we will be starting our nutrition unit the last week before break. When we return we will be working on Speed stacks. Speed stacking is a great way to keep your kids active indoors. If you would like to purchase a set, they would make great gifts. Amazon and www.speedstacks.com have reasonably priced sets. They run around $15-$30 depending on the type of cups. Grades will be posted near the end of December. Stay warm and enjoy the Holidays.

A portion of the proceeds go back to the PTO and to the school. Here is the link to shop! MES Spirit Wear Store

Now you can link your Dillons shopper card to Maize Elementary and help us earn funds. Click here to learn more. When registering, be sure to use our organization number 12736. Thank you for your support!

*Please visit our Maize Elementary PTO Facebook Page for more information and to follow everything that is happening within our Parent Teacher Organization.