Notes from the School Nurse

Ms. Berlinski
889-5331 Ext. 137

Click here to download the online version of Ms. Berlinski’s “Nutrition Nuggets”.

Raising Kids Who Don’t Smoke Peer Pressure and Smoking

When faced with tough choices, help your child be self-confident.  Teach them the 5 Knows and the 5 Nos.

5 Knows:

1. Know yourself.   Think about who you are, who you want to become and what you believe in.  Know your family’s beliefs and values.  When faced with a difficult choice, ask yourself, “Does this fit with who I want to be?”

2. Know the facts. Some decisions can be based on simple facts.  For example, smoking is addictive and expensive, and causes serious diseases.  Its’ illegal to sell cigarettes to minors.

3. Know the situation.   Before ging along with your friends, know what you’re getting yourself into.  Where are they going? What will they do? Who will be there? When and how will you get home?

4. Know when to ask questions.  If you don’t know the facts and the situation, ask questions.  Make sure you get answers.

5. Know how to get help.  Everyone needs help at times.  Think about which responsible adults in your life you can turn to for guidance and support when you need it.  Remember, asking for help is usually a sign of strength, not weakness.

5 Nos:

1. Plain and simple.  “No thanks.”  Sometimes the most direct way is the simplest and most effective.

2. Forceful.  Some kids have enough self-conficence to say no in a way that their friends will never ask again.  “Are you crazy?  Those things can kill you.”

3. The strict parent.  Tell your child he can always use you as a way to say “no.”  “My mom would smell the smoke and I’d get in trouble.”

4. The switch.  Come up with a better plan. “I’m gonna go swim some laps at the Y.  Want to go with me? You can’t smoke if you’re gonna do that.”

5. The friend.  Remind your child that a real friend won’t ditch her if she doesn’t go along with the crowd.  Have her use the same logic with the friend:  “If you were really my friend, you wouldn’t ask me to do something that would make me sick.”

Taken from Volume 1: Issue 2: Raising Kids Who Don’t Smoke—Peer Pressure and Smoking p. 8 Published by Philip Morris USA, 2003. 

Nut Allergy Alert

There are a growing number of students who are allergic to nuts.  This can be a serious, potentially life-threatening problem.  We want to make our school a safe environment for all students and we need your help by following these guidelines:

1. Avoid sending foods for class parties which contain nuts or are made from nut products (ex. Peanut oil).

2. Check labels when sending purchased goodies for class functions.  Many items contain trace amounts of peanut products (ex. Ritz Mini Cheese Crackers, M&M Candies, even plain varieties).

3. Refrain from using nuts or peanut butter in craft projects.

4. Avoid cross-contamination risks of peanut butter residue on cutting boards, eating utensils, etc.

If your child is allergic to nuts or other foods, you realize the importance of awareness and prevention.  I encourage the following safety tips:

§ Inform the school nurse and classroom teacher.

§ Teach your child to tell others if they are allergic to nuts (or other foods).

§ Advise child to avoid sharing foods with/from others.

§ Encourage use of medic-alert bracelets or necklaces.

§ Supply school nurse with medication for emergency use.

§ Supply school with “safe snacks” if necessary.