page two                                                      The Vienna Sun                                      March 2008

 Notes from the Nurse

No mosquitoes yet, but the “bugs” are really going around; the germ kind that is!  And as always, the easiest way to prevent the spread of infections and illness is cleaning the hands. 
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is now recommending the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, as a preferred method for cleaning hands.  Use one good squirt and rub the hands thoroughly (around wrists and between fingers), until the gel feels dry.
Of course, if the hands are visibly dirty, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.  The CDC is recommending the alcohol-based hand sanitizers because they kill more germs and are less irritating to the skin. And, most folks really do not wash their hands long enough, well enough, or often enough.
HINT: Teachers always appreciate the donation of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and tissues, for their students.
Now the other “bugs”, HEAD-LICE.  Please continue to make screening for head-lice part of the normal hygiene practice in your home.  Every county in the state, and probably the COUNTRY, has at least a few cases of head-lice every school year, and Dorchester is no exception.  If you have questions or concerns about head-lice, please contact the nurse at your child’s school, or the school health supervisor (410-901-8167).
Finally, please remind your children to COVER COUGHS and SNEEZES (bend of elbow works when no tissue is handy).  Frequent HAND CLEANING is critical in preventing illness. And please keep ill children home, calling the doctor as needed.
                               

Black-eyed Susan Books in Library Media Center

The Maryland Black-eyed Susan Books are beginning to bloom all over our library media center.  All students in grades PK – 5 have been reading a series of twelve picture books that have been nominated for the prestigious Black-eyed Susan Award.  All of the nominated books are colorful and range from the whimsical Tunjur! Tunjur! Tunjur!, a Palestinian folktale about a talking cooking pot, to the serious Henry’s Freedom Box, the true story of a young man who escaped slavery in a shipping crate.  All Vienna students will vote for their favorite book, and our vote will be counted with votes from across the state of Maryland to determine the award winner.
Many of our fourth and fifth grade students are also reading a series of chapter books that have been nominated for the award.  Students who read at least three of the nine nominated books will be invited to attend a luncheon when they vote for their favorite book.  The following students and staff have already logged in book reviews for Black-eyed Susans:  Amanda G., Megan H., Aubrey M., Taylor B., Ke’Shyara J., Ja’Myra C., Brad W., Evan J., Jasmine H., Brandon B., Mrs. McCollister, Ms. Humphreys, Mrs. Sleeper and Ms. Wilson.
Please stop by the library media center to see these beautiful books and encourage your child to READ!