Healthy Holiday Season
Launch the media gallery 1 playerIt is December and we are STILL fighting the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) worldwide pandemic this year. At times, we are doing virtual learning from home because we cannot meet in person for classes. We wear masks and practice “social distancing” when we go out shopping for necessities. We have made many lifestyle changes to help protect us from becoming sick. We have made changes with some of the health-related programs we have here at Green City this school year as well.
The Delta Dental Land of Smiles provided a “virtual visit” to our elementary students this year instead of coming to us in person. We enjoyed their online show, but we cannot wait to see them in person again! Twenty percent of the Pre-K through 6th grade students evaluated by Mo. DHSS Preventive Service Program’s FREE dental screening and fluoride varnishing program in September required further oral care by their dentists. Sadly, less students participated this year, and many students missed their routine dental check-ups due to the COVID-19 precautions. Oral health is very important to keep our smiles for our lifetimes!
The FREE vision screening for our Pre-K through 3rd grades and the Parents As Teachers (PAT) kids is being postponed until next semester, but will still be done. This valuable service provided by the Missouri Lions KidSight program screens for SEVEN treatable conditions affecting our young population’s vision. We look forward to having this visit our school soon!
Remember, during this time of the year the weather can be hard to be out in for very long, including waiting for the bus and being outside for recess. PLEASE check to be sure that all students have the proper hats, coats, gloves & shoes/boots when they leave the house to come to school every day.
This year along with the COVID-19 pandemic, we have to think about and protect ourselves against the “usual” health concerns that our communities deal with including: fall & winter allergies, “flu” season, strep throat, and other sicknesses. Our in-school staff & student flu clinic had to be postponed this fall. We hope to have that very soon. Please consider obtaining a flu shot by calling the Sullivan County Health Department at 660-265-4141 to schedule an appointment to protect you.
Lastly, please remember to do your best to stay healthy: do social distancing, wash your hands often, get plenty of rest, avoid being around sick people and bundle up when outside in the cold weather. We want to be able to have in-person learning for our students as much as possible for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.
We work hard! We play hard! We are GC! Beth Beyer, RN