Health and Wellness
Commentary: Medical Marijuana – Time for Parents to Step In
Coping With Grief
For a PDF with information on Coping with Grief, please CLICK HERE
Parental Support
For information about parental proactive drug intervention, CLICK HERE.
Medication Assistance
If your child requires asthma medication (or any other medication) that will need to be given at school, please request an order from your Doctor’s office. The orders may be faxed to the Saint Johnsbury Health Services Office at 802-748-7798. If your child will be carrying an inhaler, or Epi Pen, the order should include the order that your child may carry and self administer. Attached please find the required forms.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
View the SAMHSA video about prevention, intervention, treatment, enforcement, and recovery services in Vermont.
Support for Social Challenges for Young Adults
Members of the Academy’s Health and Wellness Department recently attended a seminar featuring Rosalind Wiseman, an internationally recognized author and educator on children, teens, parenting, education, and social justice. Her work aims to help parents, educators and young people successfully navigate the social challenges of young adulthood. Her website features information from many sources and blogs for a continuous dialogue. It is a great resource for parents and students. For information, please visit her website www.rosalindwiseman.com.
Preventing Teen Cough Medicine Abuse
The Academy Health and Wellness Department would like to inform you of a growing concern among teens. As parents, you already know about the dangers of illegal street drugs but some teens are abusing legal over- the-counter products, like cough medicine, to get high. Click here to obtain a parent's guide entitled "Preventing Teen Cough Medicine Abuse." If you have questions, please contact Ms. Garey, Director of Health and Wellness at sgarey@stjacademy.org.
H1N1 Flu Virus Information
We continue to monitor our students and their travel activities. We also have increased our efforts to promote normal infection precautions for colds and flu. They include covering your mouth when coughing and sneezing, washing your hands often, not touching your eyes or mouth with your hands before washing, and staying home if you are feeling ill.
Hand sanitizer units have been distributed throughout campus.
In addition, we have instituted the following policy for anyone coming to campus:
- Those who have been diagnosed with the flu, or have flu-like symptoms (fever and one or more of the following respiratory symptoms: cough, nasal congestion, or sore throat), should not come to campus until 24 hours after their temperature has returned to normal without the use of fever-reducing medications.
Please visit the Center for Disease Control for current information.
We will provide additional information to students and parents as it becomes available.
For information relating to the H1N1 flu in Vermont, please utilize the following link:
The Health Department for the State of Vermont
Know the Difference between Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms
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Symptom
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Cold
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H1N1 Flu
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Fever
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Fever is rare with a cold.
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Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
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Coughing
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A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
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A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
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Aches
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Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
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Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
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Stuffy Nose
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Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
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Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
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Chills
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Chills are uncommon with a cold.
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60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
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Tiredness
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Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
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Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
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Sneezing
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Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
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Sneezing is not common with the flu.
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Sudden Symptoms
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Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
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The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
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Headache
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A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
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A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
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Sore Throat
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Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
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Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
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Chest Discomfort
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Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
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Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.
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Please contact me if you have any questions.
Thank you.
Sarah Garey
Director, Health and Wellness
St. Johnsbury Academy
802-748-7718
sgarey@stjacademy.org
Important Academy Health Forms
Health Evaluation Form
Immunization Form
Permission for Medical Treatment Form
Consent to Release Medical Records Form
Helpful Links
Vermont's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital
Vermont Department of Health
Help Reduce Underage Drinking in Vermont
The Community of Concern
Five Moms--stopping cough medicine abuse
Stop Medicine Abuse
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