Westminster School District April Parents Meeting

Conducted by,Kathleen Kent

School PsychologistFor further questions or information discussed tonight feel

free to call (714) 767-6570

Points to discuss tonightLead PoisoningReasons for keeping your child home sick

Summer SafetyLanguage Classes for Parents

Lead PoisoningBasic Lead Facts Children are a High Risk

Population• Heavy metal• Can affect virtually every

body system• Recent studies indicate

that even mildly low levels may affect children’s physical and mental health

• Lead poisoning is usually asymptomatic and

completely preventable

Especially children under 6 years old

Developmentally delayed children

The effects of lead poisoning are: seizures, headaches, slowed growth, and hearing loss.

Lead PoisoningEffects of Lead Poisoning in Children

Ruth Ann Norton, Executive Director of the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning:• Mental retardation

• Lowered IQ • Learning disabilities

• Attention Deficit

Disorder

“Children poisoned by lead face lifelong irreversible problems from learning disabilities, hearing loss, stunted growth, mental retardation, aggressive/violent behavior and even death. Children poisoned by lead are also seven times more likely to drop out of school thus undermining their abilities to reach their full potential as productive citizens.”

Lead PoisoningSources of Lead Most Common Sources

in Orange CountyLeaded paint

Leaded gasoline Leaded piping and

plumbing

Canned food with lead solder       

• Contact with leaded paint that has chipped or peeled or from the dust from deteriorating lead based paint

Remodeling of houses that were built prior to 1978

Candies and food imported from other countries

Lead PoisoningOther Sources of Lead Blood TestingHobbies that may have

lead used in their equipment- stained glass, fishing sinkers, pool table chalk, firing range equipment

Parents - who work at businesses that do welding, soldering, painting, remodeling, construction, lead smeltering, or work with batteries/radiators

• If you have Medi-Cal, your doctor or clinic can order the blood tests to check for lead poisoning, if appropriate. This is a Statewide Targeted Screening Program.

• Most private health insurance policies will also cover the cost of this test.

Where Lead Can Be Hiding!

Reasons for keeping your child home sickThe issue at steak Effects

Many children are kept home unnecessarily

Average number of days a child should miss school for illness reasons

Remember days missed from school are days missed towards the goal for a better future for your child

Dedicated to the purpose of helping every student develop to the best of their potential

Every child shall attend school regularly and punctually

Home-School Partnership

Reasons for keeping your child home sickReasons to stay home sick

What is contagious?

Vomiting or Diarrhea – uncontrolled or untreated

Temperature over 100 degrees

Undiagnosed rashDoctor’s exclusionThe first 24 hours

after starting antibiotics unless otherwise directed

Pink Eye LiceCommunicable

Disease with healthcare provider note

Green mucus or discharge

Rash Exclusion by a health

care provider

Reasons for keeping your child home sickTry to Plan When your child is home

sickDental or Doctor visits

after schoolVacations when Off

School or on weekendsTo return on doctor’s

note return dateGetting transportation

alternative for when there is a sick sibling

Avoid making time home funDo not allow unmonitored

television or gamesThe focus is on getting them

back in school Have student return with a

noteHave them do homework if

restedIf you have any questions about

your child’s attendance please feel free to call the school nurse and ask.

Summer SafetyInsect Bites and Stings

How to Apply Sunscreen and Insect Repellent

Insect bites can lead to serious medical problems. Not only can certain insects spread diseases like West Nile Virus, (MRSA). Since bites are itchy it is a good idea to try to protect your kids from insect bites.

If you need to apply both an insect repellent and a sunscreen on your child, apply the sunscreen first.

Read and follow the instructions on the label.

In an open area, which will help avoid breathing in the insect repellent spray or mist, hold the insect repellent about 6 to 8 inches from your child.

Apply the insect repellent on your child's exposed skin and his clothing, avoiding skin under clothing, and your child's mouth, eyes, hands, open cuts, or irritated skin.

More doesn’t mean better or that it lasts longer.

Summer Safety

Summer SafetySunscreen Sunburns

The best sunscreen-provides broad spectrum

UVA and UVB protection.

has an SPF of at least 15 to 30.

Make sure it -is water resistant. -is hypoallergenic and

fragrance free -is in a form that is easy to

use on your child

Apply cold compressKeep it moistLeave blisters intactTake over the counter pain

reliever if neededTreat peeling skin gentlyConsult a doctor if you

have a large portion of your body covered with blisters, high fever or severe pain, or if the burn doesn’t go away within a few days.

Summer SafetySwimming Pool Rules

Swimming pools are the number one

drowning risk for preschoolers.

More than 80 percent of drownings occur among males

Never leave a child alone in a pool

– even for a second

Childproof your swimming

Keep rescue equipment handy

Learn CPR

Floaties are not life vests

Summer SafetyOcean/Boat Safety Sun and Summer HeatHave everyone wear

Coast Guard-approved life jackets, and not just floaties, on boats and on other personal watercraft.

Only let kids dive in areas that are clearly marked for diving or when you know how deep the water is.

Heat stress and heat stroke can be prevented. Keep kids well-hydrated, take frequent breaks when playing outside, and watch for symptoms such as thirst, cramps, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and fever.

getting burned on metal slides or other hot playground equipment.

Remember sunglasses.

Summer Safety

Summer SafetyTreatment of Heat ExhaustionGet out of the heatCool water / Cool bathLoosen clothingDo not use rubbing

alcohol or give fever medicine

Call 911 if worsening

Summer SafetyOther Summer Safety Tips LAWN MOWERS - Despite the

need for a summer job or simply wanting to help, remember that children younger than 12 should not use walk-behind mowers. Use proper shoes and eye wear.

FIREWORKS - Safe and sane need to be supervised. Instead visit a public fireworks display this fourth of July. Children ages 5 to 9 have the highest injury rate for fireworks-related injuries,

Summer SafetyCars Camping

Teach your kids to avoid wild animals.

Teach kids that animals can carry diseases that are dangerous to people. Encourage them to enjoy watching them from a safe distance in their natural surroundings.                  Pack protection.Pack layers of light-weight, light-colored clothes for hot days and blankets and warm clothes for cool nights.

Situations in which kids get hurt in hot cars include when:

infants and toddlers are simply forgotten in their car seat

toddlers or preschoolers sneak into the car to play and can't get out

kids get trapped in the trunk

Language Classes for ParentsLanguage classes for Parents will begin next month.The school will provide the books, paper, and all other

necessary materials.These classes are free to not only the Parent’s but also

other family members of the children as well. Our goal is to have you connected to this school and

involved in your child’s education as much as possible.We want to see you and your child grow and learn

together.Classes will be available in Vietnamese, Arabic, and

Spanish. If you would like us to look into adding another language please let us know.

Thank You!If you have further questions please feel free

to ask any administration member, teacher, nurse or psychologist here about the information you heard tonight or for further information go on our website.