FCPS Wellness Newsletter Summer 2024
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Summer 2024
FCPS Wellness Newsletter Summer Safety Tips
The summer season is nearly upon us. With the onset of warmer weather and the end of the school year, kids will be enjoying all kinds of outdoor activities.
From beach outings to picnics and barbeques, summer not only means fun, but also an increased risk for injuries. It’s important for parents and guardians to be aware and oversee their child’s safety throughout the season.
Here are 8 safety measures for families to remember this summer:
Stay Hydrated: It is especially important during the hot summer months to avoid dehydration by drinking water or sports drinks. Aim for eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day — more if you can. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate you. Most importantly, do not drink and drive.
Protect your skin and your eyes: Use a broad-spectrum sunblock with UVA and UVB protection (SPF 30 or higher) when outdoors for prolonged periods of time, even on cloudy days. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light can also harm the eyes. Wear sunglasses whenever you are out in the sun, choosing shades that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB light.
Set up your grill with safety in mind: Use camp stoves, grills, and generators outside; never inside buildings or tents. Always follow manufacturers’ instructions for product usage to avoid burns and other injuries.
Practice good food hygiene: Always wash hands and counters before preparing food and clean utensils for cooking and serving. Store, cook, and reheat food at the proper temperatures. Refrigerated foods should not be left out at temperatures above 40° F, and do not let food sit out at room temperature for more than two hours.
Use insect repellents wisely: Use insect repellents that contain EPA-registered, CDC-recommended active ingredients like DEET or picaridin to prevent tick and mosquito bites. Select a product that is safe for the user’s age. Follow the directions for application on the label.
Educate your children about swim safety and pool precautions: Never leave children unattended when in or near a swimming pool. Teach children to swim with an adult. Older, more experienced swimmers should still swim with a partner every time. Homeowners who have swimming pools should store pool chemicals in a safe and secure place, out of children’s reach.
Wear a helmet for biking and other wheeled sports: A helmet can reduce serious head injuries by up to 90%. Check your child’s helmet for a proper fit. Adults should set a good example by wearing their helmets while biking or skating.
Give kids your undivided attention: Actively supervise children throughout the summer, whether it’s at the playground or in and around water. Never leave your child alone in a car, not even for a minute.
Fun in the Sun Safety Tips
Warm, summer days are coming as well as the risk of overexposure to the sun. By following the tips below, you can protect yourself from harmful rays and enjoy the fun of longer days:
- Wear Protective Clothing, including:
- A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- Lightweight, long-sleeved shirt and pants
- Apply Sunscreen.
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher
- Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going outside and reapply every 2 hours, more often if sweating or going in the pool/ocean
- Seek Shade
- The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Use Caution Near Water and Sand
- These surfaces reflect the sun’s rays, increasing the risk of sunburn
The Office of Food and Nutrition Services is celebrating another successful school year and — with summer just around the corner — we have three healthy eating tips for your next vacation trip.
The first tip is to stay hydrated. Hotels, airports, and parks often offer free water filling stations to keep you hydrated during your trip. If you are going on a road trip, fill up reusable water bottles and keep them in a cooler in the car.
A second tip is to pack healthy snacks. No matter where you are headed, having healthy readily available snacks is great for a day at the beach, hiking in the mountains, or exploring a new city. Some healthy snack ideas include whole or dried fruit packs, trail mix, nuts in pre-portioned bags, and whole grain snack bars.
A third tip is to eat breakfast. Eating breakfast jump-starts your metabolism to fuel your day and helps to prevent overeating later in the day. Enjoy a balanced breakfast that includes lean protein, fruits and/or vegetables, and whole grains.
We hope these tips will help you to enjoy a healthy summer vacation trip. Learn more about the Office of Food and Nutrition Services.
Tick Tactics: Safeguard Your Summer Adventures
As you gear up for a summer filled with outdoor adventures, remember that tick safety is essential for enjoying nature to the fullest. As the weather warms, it is a perfect time to get outdoors for gardening, hiking, biking, BBQs and sporting events. These outdoor activities can be enjoyed all summer long. When spending more time outdoors it is important to note that tick bites and tick-borne illnesses are a possibility. Learning how to protect yourself from tick bites and what to look for afterwards is crucial.
Fairfax County offers a wealth of information on tick safety. To avoid tick bites, they recommend using insect repellents on exposed skin and clothing. Treating your clothes with permethrin, an insecticide, can provide additional protection. It’s also important to avoid wooded areas with tall grass and leaf litter, and to stay on cleared trails when hiking.
If you do find a tick on yourself, promptly remove it with fine-tipped tweezers and monitor the bite area for signs of infection. Common symptoms of tick-borne diseases include fever, chills, fatigue, and a bull's-eye rash around the bite site. If you experience any of these symptoms, see a doctor right away. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent serious complications.
Whether you're hiking, camping, gardening, or simply relaxing in your backyard, staying vigilant and taking proactive measures will ensure a safer and more enjoyable summer for you and your loved ones. So, embrace the sunshine, explore the great outdoors, and stay tick-free with confidence. Here's to a summer of fun, without the worry of ticks!
Be Ready for Back to School with August Immunization ClinicsNow is the time to make sure your child’s school-required immunizations are up-to-date.
The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) will be holding immunization clinics during the month of August. The clinics are open to all Fairfax County students who need immunizations regardless of their past vaccines, new to the country, or those that just need a follow up to be up-to-date.
Appointments are limited. Call the FCHD at 703-246-7100 to schedule yours!
Thank You, School Nurses, for Making a Positive ImpactWednesday, May 8, was School Nurse Day! Thank you to all the public health nurses who take care of our students
Public Health Nurse Shahenil Grealish has always loved working with and caring for people. She became a nurse nearly 25 years ago, in 1990, because she felt that she could both “help people and make a positive impact on their lives.”
Shahenil has been a Fairfax County public health nurse supporting FCPS for three years. She assists students and families at Ravensworth, Oak View, Terra Centre, and Laurel Ridge elementary schools.
“I enjoy working with children and their families to provide care, support, and education and help them navigate their health challenges in a school environment,” Shahenil explained. “The relationships I develop with the students and their families are the most rewarding aspect of [my job].”
Some of Shahenil’s favorite memories at FCPS have been “when we as a team (teachers, social workers, administration, etc.) work collaboratively to make sure that ALL of a student’s needs are met,” she continued. “It is so wonderful and heartwarming to see all the care and dedication everyone has in making this happen.”
Profiles in Public Health: Nicole Morales, Nurse of the Year
The Fairfax County Health Department honors Nurses Month as a celebration of the tremendous impact that public health nurses have on wellness in our community. The month-long celebration of the nursing profession allows for many opportunities to appreciate the invaluable contributions of nurses. We are all indebted to nurses for their unwavering commitment to patients, their communities, and our healthcare system.
Each year, the Health Department singles out one Public Health Nurse who goes above and beyond in their work, and honors that individual as Public Health Nurse Nurse of the Year. On April 5, that honor was bestowed upon Nicole Morales, a Public Health Nurse Manager in the School Health program.
“Being named Nurse of the Year was such a shock, and such an honor,” said Nicole. “It makes me feel very proud that I've had a big impact with the schools and the students I’ve served, and honored that my team would think that of me.” In her role, Nicole oversees 26 public health nurses and 43 school health aides providing health support services in 43 Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). Her tireless efforts in recruiting and managing school health aides, as well as her involvement in critical assessment and safety campaigns, are a testament to her commitment to excellence.
The fact that her career is focused on the well-being of young people is rooted in her personal experience. Nicole recalls an inspirational nurse she encountered as a young girl. “In high school, I was diagnosed with Lyme disease, and I had to get a PICC line [peripherally inserted central catheter] put in. So, there was a home visiting nurse that would come once a week, and she would change my site for my PICC line.” Nicole cites not just the physical care that nurse provided, but also the support she got with the other aspects of the illness as the sparks that made her consider a nursing career.
But the path to becoming a school nurse was far from a straight line. Read more about how Nicole paved her way to working in school health.
Launch My Health Programs
Are you looking for support to increase energy, improve chronic conditions and symptoms, or build skills and confidence in the kitchen?
Improve your health and wellbeing and build healthy eating habits with educational nutrition programs through Launch My Health led by an experienced, credentialed team of healthcare, culinary, and nutrition experts. This series of classes are based on the belief that food is at the core of health and wellbeing. Each program is directly accessible in your Wellbeats account.
Launch My Health Programs:
- Home Chef Pro (8 weeks)
- Optimizing Brain Health (5 weeks)
- Restore Gut Health (4 weeks)
- Optimizing Women’s Hormones (5 weeks)
- Putting Out the Flame (4 weeks)
- Kids in the Kitchen (2 weeks)
Visit the Launch My Health program site to learn more.
Stay Healthy Together with Wellbeats
Invite others to join Wellbeats with you and stay healthy together — whether a spouse, co-worker, friend, family member, or neighbor!
With the Friends and Family feature, it’s now easier than ever to:
- Cheer on your friends, share encouraging messages, and celebrate each other’s success.
- Challenge others to a workout and chat in real time to stay motivated and on track.
- Cook alongside friends virtually with fun and engaging cooking demonstrations and healthy recipes.
Get started by visiting portal.wellbeats.com. In your Wellbeats account, go to your profile and toggle to Sub-accounts to invite others to join Wellbeats. Valid for up to 5 other members per account.