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NIDA Reaches Out to Teens During “Talk About Prescriptions Month” In the new video, NIDA scientists Cindy Miner, Ph.D., and Joni Rutter, Ph.D., explain the risks Every day in the United States, 2,500 American teens age 12 to 17 illegally take a prescription Now, more than ever, it is crucial to educate teens about the risks of prescription drug abuse and Here are some tips to share with parents about safeguarding and properly disposing of medications: • Take inventory of the medicine cabinet regularly. In addition to the new painkillers video, NIDA offers teens other resources about the dangers of
Swine Flu Information We want to keep you informed about the topic of swine flu that is causing concern throughout our • Wash hands frequently Swine flu is an A-type flu virus that infects pigs and, in this case, has been transmitted to humans. The symptoms are the same as for seasonal flu. We have received questions regarding restrictions on people who have recently visited Mexico. At this time, the health department tells us there is no reason to restrict a child or an employee from being in school just because they have been in Mexico. If they show no symptoms of illness, they can be in school. We are stepping up our handwashing campaign and are encouraging you to do the same at home. We have been told that is the best defense against any influenza. We have been told that Coloradans are more likely to get the type A and B flu that already exists in our State. Dr. Ned Calonge of the Colorado Department of Health and Environment states this is a mild flu and all of those that had it are recovering after only a mild illness. DCSD will send out information to families if parent action is required due to a public health concern. Douglas County School District has a comprehensive prevention, mitigation and response plan in the event of a public health emergency. We are monitoring this situation across the School District, and are working with staff and students to encourage proper hand hygiene. In addition, we are exercising proper and standard cleaning throughout the District. Information related to DCSD will be posted on the School District's website at www.dcsdk12.org. Please refer to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for official information. Much in the news is the story of Natasha Richardson who recently died tragically due to a head injury. What is most important to remember about Richardson’s case is her initial hit to the head only produced mild symptoms. Indeed, it was reported that Ms. Richardson was walking, talking and reported only a slight headache. Less than 24 hours later she was pronounced dead. While mild concussions rarely cause death, the Douglas County School District (DCSD) Traumatic Brain Injury Team have been constantly educating our community that all head injuries need to be taken seriously. As has been often repeated by experts across the country, “Mild injury does not mean mild outcome.” Our community members should be aware that DCSD is a progressive school district in regards to head injury and concussion management. DCSD has a multi-tiered approach to brain injury issues. First, DCSD has a TBI team that provides training and workshops for staff and community members throughout the school year. Second, our athletic trainers, nurses, speech/language pathologists and school psychologists are continuously educated about the latest TBI research. Next, DCSD has a modern computerized assessment called ImPACT, which helps in our management of students with concussions. Finally, our TBI team, under the leadership of Paulette Joswick, RN and Peter Thompson, School Psychologist, is in partnership with SkyRidge Medical Center and outside experts to assist a student with a concussion to return to school at the appropriate time. For more information about DCSD TBI services, please contact Health Services, 303-387-0513. On Thursday, April 23rd, 2009, from 5-6:30pm, at Rocky Heights Middle School, Dr. Murray Kaplan will present information on head injury to the community. Parents and staff of students at all grade levels will benefit from this presentation. Please plan to attend this free presentation ________________________________________________________________________ Changes to student immunizations ________________________________________________________________________ The Health Services Department of Douglas County Schools has declared February as Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month. Myth #1 (The Biggest Myth of All) "Mild" head injury means mild outcome. Fact: Mild head injury could cause a learning or emotional disability that is not detected until YEARS later. Always err on the side of caution and take care of your child's head because we don't know if that bump to the head will have long lasting consequences. Myth #2 All brain injuries are the same. Fact : Each brain injury is not the same, especially in rapidly developing children. Depending on the developmental stage, a child's mild injury could have a significant impact. Myth #3 Physical recovery is a sign the brain is healed. "He looks fine and is running around and talking, so he must be okay." Fact: There is a big difference between cognitive fatigue and physical recovery. Many times a person can "look" fine, but suffer deficits in cognitive processes such as memory, attention and regulation. Many people who suffer from a mild head injury report that they feel fine most of the time, but have lapses in the day in which they feel they are in a "fog." This is a sign the brain is tired and trying to heal. Myth #4 Younger children usually recover better than older people because their brains can "rewire" themselves. Fact: Many years ago, people believed in the "Kennard Principle," which stated that children have more effective recovery rates than adults. However, we know now that children are actually much more at risk to sustain permanent problems than adults, even for mild brain injuries. There are limits to brain plascity due to what researchers called "crowding effects." Myth #5 Early or quick discharge from a hospital means my child is okay and will not have any problems due to a head injury. Fact: Many hospitals discharge children too soon or do not fully understand the neuropsychological research. Most doctors do not follow their patients years post injury and therefore, do not connect the current injury with future problems. The brain needs time to heal, even after minor injuries. Myth #6 Recovery from a moderate head injury is usually 6 months. Fact: Every brain is different with its own set of resilient and fragile features. While many cognitive functions do recovery from an injury after 6 months, the recovery slope is not perfectly horizontal and brain healing could continue for over a year post injury. Myth #7 . A normal IQ score after a head injury means my child is just fine...because they have normal intelligence. Fact: Many IQ tests measure learned skills, which do make some recovery after a head injury. However, future learning and other sensitive brain processes (such as quick information processing) might be damaged. Some well known IQ tests do not measure future learning, memory, attention or executive processes (behavioral-emotional regulation). Myth #8. My child wears a helmet so even if he does hit his head, he is protected. Fact: Helmets are certainly crucial to head protection; however, there is a limit to the protection they offer. Shock from a trauma travels through any headgear. If the shock is hard enough, no helmet will totally protect a developing brain. For example, a child wearing a helmet falling off a motor scooter doing 30 mph could suffer a moderate head injury (a concussion) and a broken neck (helmets do not protect the neck or brain stem well.) The PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS may include: Headaches Short term memory loss, confusion Words to live by: We have a moral obligation to protect our children's brains. Why risk a child's future by taking undue risks for the sake of sport or recreation. We do not have to walk around on eggshells, or wear helmets everywhere we go. However, children's brains should be treated as fragile organs and we should only take reasonable risks. My favorite motto is: If you would not do something to your laptop computer, then you should not do it to your child's brain. The Family Support Line can be a lifeline when family concerns arise. Whatever your child's age or your issue, you will be treated with compassionate listening, practical answers and information on all aspects of family life and child development, as well as referrals to community resources. The Family Support Line is a program of Families First, a private, non-profit, non-sectarian agency devoted to strengthening families and protecting children. Other support services include parenting classes, seminars and Circle of Parents groups. In Metro Denver, call 303.695.7996 or call toll-free in Colorado, 1.877.695.7996. For Spanish-speaking families, Consejos Para Familias, 1.866.LAS-FAMILIAS (866.527.3264). Operators are available from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. seven days a week. You can also visit Families First online at www.FamiliesFirstColorado.org. _______________________________________________________ The State of Colorado passed a law in 2004 requiring public schools to provide parents and guardians with information on how to access information regarding registered sex offenders in their communities. In Douglas County, parents and guardians can request the sex offender registry by contacting their local law enforcement agency or online at www.dcsheriff.net. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office website provides a link to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) web site—www.sor.state.co.us—for a statewide list of certain high-risk registered sex offenders. In addition, the Colorado Sex Offender Management Board publishes the School Resource Guide to Sex Offender Registration, including information about the list itself and facts about sex offenders. For a copy of the resource guide, go to www.cde.state.co.us/cdesped/download/pdf/ChildAbuse-SchResGU.pdf. For information about how the district deals with issues involving sex offenders in Douglas County, contact the office of School Safety & Security at 303.387.9999. _______________________________________________________ With the heightened response and security precautions taken by DCSD in dangerous or emergency situations, there is the possibility of a lockdown procedure at your child's school. It is important for the secondary student to be prepared for these lockdown situations, particularly for the student with diabetes or asthma. In a lockdown situation, the students are confined to the classroom they are in when the crisis occurs and may not be able to travel to their lockers or the health room. In order to be prepared for these lockdown situations, we are recommending that students with diabetes carry a small amount of emergency treatment supplies (e.g. juice, soda, glucose tablets, snacks, cake gel) or the student with asthma to carry their rescue inhalers. Students should carry these in their backpack or have these essential supplies with them at all times. It is highly recommended that students with diabetes have cake gel, glucose tablets, and/or candy for treatment of low blood sugar in each classroom. For questions or concerns, please contact your school nurse consultant. |
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PHS website. September, 2006 |
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