Start the new school year off with healthy routines

The school buses are rolling as another school year gets under way across the county.  We at A Children's Place have high hopes that this school year will be your child's best yet.  You can help your child to have a successful year in school by making sure his important needs are met at home.  These include: 

ˆ          Rest.  Your child needs to have a consistent sleep schedule that ensures he gets at least eight hours of sleep each night.  Encourage your child to go to bed around the same time each night and to wake up around the same time each morning. 

ˆ          Hygiene.  Remind your child of the importance of practicing good hygiene and how it can protect him from many illnesses that are common among school-age children.  Your child needs to be in the habit of washing his hands after going to the bathroom or before eating.  To kill germs effectively, children should use soap and warm water and wash under running water for at least 15 seconds (generally, about the same time it takes them to sing their ABCs).  Your child also should be in the habit of brushing his teeth at least twice a day‹after breakfast and before going to bed‹as well as combing his hair each day.

ˆ          Nutrition.  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so make sure your child either eats a healthy breakfast before he leaves home for school or eats the breakfast provided by the school.  It's important that you provide healthy, nutritious snacks for your child as well.  Encourage your child to have low-fat dairy products, such as skim or 1 percent milk, yogurt or cottage cheese, at each meal. 

ˆ          Exercise.  Just as healthy eating is important for your child, he should also be getting plenty of exercise every day.  Encourage your child not to spend endless hours watching television or playing video games.  Instead, challenge him to a game of basketball or ask him to join you and the other members of the family for a walk.  Such activities provide lots of fun for both you and your child, and they also help your child to make the first steps towards a healthy lifestyle.

From the Front Office

The cooler-than-normal summer temperatures have many of us already thinking of the fall season.  As we wind down the summer months and begin planning for fall, there is a bustle of activity around our facility.  In the coming weeks, we will be hosting parent-teacher conferences where you are invited to meet with your child's teacher and find out how he/she is doing in the classroom.  We will announce those dates once the schedule is finalized.  Until then, we are always available if you have questions or concerns.  Please call us at (859)236-7176.

Halloween Safety Tips 

Œ         Carry a flashlight.

Œ         Walk, don't run.

Œ         Wear clothing with reflective markings.

Œ         Walk on sidewalks.

Œ         Trick or treat only in familiar neighborhoods.

Happy Birthday

SEPTEMBER 

September 1

Vicki Prewitt

Lezli Adams 

September 14

Irma Bennett

Loren Taylor 

September 19

Donna Lewis 

September 29

Melinda Ennis

OCTOBER

 October 16

Kristy Drakeford

 October 24

Christy Quintana

 October 30

Lucia Achenjang

Health Notes€

As we approach the fall season, Fire Safety Week is coming up the week of October 3-9.  This is a good time to think about how we can prevent fires as well as know what to do in case they occur.  Use the following Fire Safety Checklist to keep your home free of fire hazards: 

a     Keep all lighters and matches in a locked or high cabinet and teach children not to play with them.

a    Teach children to stay away from hot things on the stove or outside grill.  Turn pot handles toward the back of the stovetop.

a     Use outlets safely, including not overloading them or plugging more than one extension cord into each. 

a     Replace all frayed, cracked or broken electrical cords.

a    Keep portable heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn and remind children not to touch or play near them.

a     Unplug small appliances when not in use.

a     Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, especially near each bedroom.  Test them monthly and replace the  batteries each fall when the time changes.

a     Place fire extinguishers on every level of your home, especially in the kitchen, basement and garage.  Keep them out of children's reach.

a     Have a fire escape plan that includes two ways out of each room and a meeting place for everyone to go to.  Practice your family's escape plan often.

a      Make sure all exits from rooms have nothing blocking them.

a     List emergency numbers near each phone and teach children to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency.

Sheila VanHook, LPN

Our recent ¥graduates'

Graduation ceremonies were held Thursday, August 5, for pre-school students who moved up to kindergarten and kindergarten students who advanced to first grade.  Our graduates wore caps and gowns and were presented  diplomas.  Thanks to everyone who helped to mark this special milestone in our students' lives.

Tips for caring for your sick child

It's not uncommon for parents to be awakened in the middle of the night by a child crying because of a high fever or other illness.  As a parent, you want only the best for your child, yet you aren't sure if your child's condition warrants a call to the pediatrician.  Following are some illnesses where that phone call may be appropriate: 

Fever fits or seizures

An especially high fever may cause a child to have what is known as a febrile seizure.  Although the seizure is harmless, you should move your child to the floor and roll him on his side so he won't choke.  Call the pediatrician, who will want to check your child for injuries and determine what is causing the fever. 

Fevers

Children under the age of 4 generally need to see a physician anytime they have a fever, but not necessarily at midnight.  You should call your pediatrician if your child is age 6 months or younger and very feverish, weak, vomiting a lot or suffering frequent diarrhea.  If your child is older, call the pediatrician if your child's high fever is not responding to medication.  Until your feverish child sees his doctor, make sure you give him lots of fluids.

Vomiting

It's not uncommon for a child to wake up from a sound sleep and vomit, and this may continue over the next few hours.  Avoid giving your child liquids or foods until he has gone an hour without vomiting.  If your child's vomiting has not stopped after four hours, he needs to be taken to the doctor. 

Diarrhea

If your child experiences frequent diarrhea, the best thing you can do for him is to provide liquids, as he can become dehydrated.  If the diarrhea persists, call the doctor.  Call immediately if your child's diarrhea is bloody or if your child appears to be in pain.

Breathing

Colds are common among children, and can often last a week to 10 days.  If your child's cough sounds like a seal barking, he could have croup, so you should call the pediatrician.  Moist air from a humidifier or in a steamy bathroom may help your child to breathe better.  Call your doctor immediately if your child becomes pale or if his lips lose color and he feels cold.  If your child does not seem to be getting enough breath, he needs immediate medical attention. 

Injury, bleeding

If your child is seriously injured, he should be taken to the doctor immediately.  If your child sustains a blow to his head, you should watch him carefully.  Seek medical attention immediately if your child grows pale or becomes persistently sleepy. 

OREOå Milkshake

Chop or coarsely break 12 OREOå cookies.  Place two cups of milk, two cups of softened vanilla ice cream and two tablespoons of chocolate syrup in a blender.  Add chopped cookies and blend on high speed until smooth.

Makes four servings.