From The ADAPEP Desk

(continued from page 1)
that they really do “Stop and Think”
when they make decisions and not just
sing the words to the song. To hold
ourselves accountable we need to
wonder, too, how well we taught them
these skills. It has been our job these
past ten years to properly prepare them
for their future, not our past, as scary as
that may seem. How well have we done
to prepare them for their journey?
Those ten year olds singin’ and swingin’
up on stage tell us all we need to know.

(Health Room continued from page 1)
Chickenpox (Varicella) is highly
contagious from one day before the
spots appear until no new lesions
have appeared for 24 - 48 hours and
all spots are scabbed, or crusted over
(about 6 days later). The virus is
spread by respiratory droplets or by
direct contact with pustule fluid.
Infected persons should be isolated
from infants, pregnant women,
children taking steroid drugs or who
have a chronic disease and from any
immune-suppressed person.
Care for the child with
chickenpox is usually comfort care.
Your doctor is the best resource for
chickenpox information. His or her
recommendations may include:

It’s never too early to begin the
difficult task of preparing children for
the day when they will have to deal
with direct or indirect pressure to
experiment with legal or illegal
chemicals and or drugs. The task
becomes more important when we
consider the fact that the MIDDLE
SCHOOL students are frequent
users of these easily obtainable
chemicals:

•Alcohol and Tobacco
•Marijuana
•Over the counter remedies
(especially stimulants such as
caffeine, ephedrine, PPA or
antihistimines)
•Cough and cold remedies
(especially those that contain
alcohol or dextromethorphan)
•Solvents, glues, household
cleaners, etc.

Principal

•Bathing in solutions such as
baking soda, Aveeno, or
Epsom Salts
•For additional itch relief,
topical anti-itch creams can
be used or oral
antihistamines may be
prescribed.

Six proactive suggestions* for
parents and families to help their
children be well prepared for dealing
with the pressures in their world by
means other than chemical use are:

Your doctor may recommend
reducing fever and pain with
acetaminophen. Aspirin isNOT
recommended during chickenpox
infection, since reports have linked it
with Reye’s Syndrome.
To minimize risk of infection by
scratching, trim child’s fingernails and
keep him or her comfortable and
occupied. Encourage rest and
plenty of fluids.
Please be sure to contact me a
the healthroom if your child had
chickenpox, as we need to notify
their classmates.

1.Talk seriously about drugs
with children; listen to what
they have to say.
2.help children develop a
healthy self-image.
3.Model and encourage a
strong set of values in
children.
4.Teach children ways to say
NO to peer pressure; help
them practice skills of
resistance.
5.Encourage and support the
children’s participation in
healthy, creative activities
6.Establish firm boundaries for
acceptable and unacceptable
behavior; follow through with
reasonable and clearly
identified punishments for
violations.

Congratulations to the following
students on a job well done, keep up
the good work!

Cindy Hirt R.N.

Ryan D., Alexandra D., Liam R., Kelly D.,
Colleen D., Katie B.l, Todd C., Max K.,
Sarah Kate G., Shawnna P., Theresa D.,
Mitch M., Devon S., Emily D., Mike C.,
Leah M., Elliott D., Kim N., Tyler L.,
Emily O., Jeff S., Matt H., Tim D., Magen
S., Courtney B. and Alaina M.

*from Confusions About Alcohol and
other Drugs, 1996, The Natonal Child
Safety Council

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