RCE Clinic update, week of April 21st:
We are still seeing many kiddos with strep throat. Some have fevers, some do not. Sore throat and stomach ache/ nausea are common signs.
We also have lice (yikes!) sightings every week. So, please, check your children weekly. Most cases can be traced back to sleepovers. If your child plays baseball/ softball, be sure they use their own helmet, rather than sharing all that may come with the team helmets.
Please remember that I need a doctor’s note authorizing me to give your child prescription medicine at school. This is in addition to the pharmacy label that is on the medicine. This has been the SBISD policy for a very long time. It is based on the law in the State of Texas. A link to the official form is on our school website. In a pinch, if you do not have the form with you, have the doctor write and sign an authorization and bring that to me. Doctors usually know what to write!
Please keep your child at home for a full 24 hours, fever-free, after they have a fever. Body temperatures fluctuate during the day. Your child’s temp may be normal first thing in the morning, and then be in the fever range as the day goes on. We have seen fever viruses that tend to act this way.
The weather has become warmer and our students are very active at school and on the playground most school days. Here are a few reminders:
- The shoes your child wears to school need to be durable, and also cover and protect their feet. I have seen foot injuries that would not have occurred if the child had worn more protective shoes. Sandals, flip flops, and the like do not give much protection to busy children’s feet. They are very cute, but not the best choice for our very active environment. Your child will be safest while running and climbing, wearing their good old athletic shoes every day.
- Houston weather may become very hot during the next few weeks. Encourage your child to stay hydrated at school by sending them with their own water bottle every day.
-Watch itchy mosquito bites on your child’s body for signs of infection. We have had several children at RCE become very ill from infected bites…and it happens FAST!

We are seeing many students with strep throats these days. Below is the letter I sent to all Kindergarten parents this week to alert them to watch for this in their children.

April 21, 2008

Dear Parents of Kindergarten Students:

STREP THROAT seems to be making the rounds of your child’s grade level right now. Quite often these days, strep throat does not look like strep throat of the past. We are seeing children without fever, and sometimes without even a sore throat, who test positive for strep. Sometimes a stomach ache is the only symptom. Because it “doesn’t look like strep” many doctors will not do a strep test unless the parent requests it. So, if your child just seems to not feel quite right, and you take them to the doctor in the near future, it’s probably a good idea to have them checked for strep.

Other hints:
-Keep your child at home for a full 24 hours after they have begun antibiotics…longer if your doctor recommends it or if your child is not feeling well.
- Remember to finish ALL of the prescribed antibiotic. Do not stop it after your child is feeling better, and hold on to the extras for the next time!...a sure way to increase antibiotic resistance….not good!
-Change your child’s toothbrush after they have been diagnosed with strep and have taken at least 24 hours of antibiotic. Keeping the same old toothbrush will re-infect your child UNLESS you run it through a complete dishwasher cycle. In fact, cleaning your child’s toothbrush in the dishwasher is a good thing to do on a regular basis!
-Remind your child to wash their hands frequently, and to cover their mouth with their arm, rather than their hand, when coughing and sneezing. These practices help to prevent the transmission of germs.
Hope this helps!
Karen