latest events

Karen Returns from Sabbatical

Karen Sims, FCTS school Nurse has returned from a sabbatical during which she visited school nursing environments on indian reservations out west. We will be posting some of her pictures and experiences after school resumes.

Computerized Nursing Software

FCTS has purchased the popular school nurse software called SNAP. This software will help maintain student records devoted to medical data.

...Read More coming soon

H1N1 Flu Information

What you should know -H1N1

Information on this page has been sourced from the CDC. [1] Center for Disease Control The H1N1 flu is expected to continue its run this fall and winter, during which time school is in session. We at FCTS hope that this summarized information will help keep parents informed. Links to various pages on the CDC web site will provide detailed and current government information and recommendations.

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Symptoms:

The H1N1 flu is also referred to as the Swine flu. Symptoms of H1N1 are typical of other flu viruses and include: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Many people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. [2] CDC: H1N1 Symptoms

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Prevention:

Vaccination: A vaccination for H1N1 is in development now and the CDC is hoping that it may be available in the fall (2009).

Cover nose & mouth when sneezing and coughing. Use a tissue or cough and sneeze into your arm.

Wash hands frequently with warm water and soap. You can also use alcohol wipes. The H1N1 virus can survive 2 to 8 hours on objects (books, door knobs, etc.) so hand washing is a great prevention technique.

Avoid touching eyes, mouth and nose to reduce the spread of germs. [3] CDC: Prevention 

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Schools - General:

According to the CDC web site, students with flu like symptoms should remain and rest at home. The CDC recommends that students with flu symptoms should remain home at least 24 hours after a fever is gone. [4] CDC: Keeping an ill child home 

Last winter the CDC recommended closing schools as soon as cases of H1N1 appeared in schools. This year,the CDC has stated that the decision to dismiss a school is to be made locally and should balance the risks of keeping the students in school with the social disruption that school dismissal can cause such as parents unable to work and students left unattended at home. If and when the H1N1 flu appears in the FCTS student population, administration, school nurse and other knowledgeable individuals will assess what actions, if any would be appropriate. [5] School Dismissals 

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CDC Parent Information:

The CDC web site for the H1N1 viruses has good information about symptoms, seeking medical advice, care of a sick child and a lot of information that can answer the confusing news about the H1N1 flu. [6] CDC Information for Parents 

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Our school Nurse:

Karen Sims is the FCTS School Nurse Send an to Email Karen

Karen's phone: 413-863-9561, extension 126.

Karen is often very busy with students and not near her phone. If you call and do not get an answer, please leave a message with your name, contact number, reason for your call and the student you are calling about. She will return your call.