Health & Wellness
Meet Nurse Kate
Nurse Kate Gross has been the school’s nurse since February of 2020. Nurse Kate holds a Bachelor’s in Science in Nursing from Bellarmine University and is set to graduate with a Masters in Community and Public Health Nursing this Spring 2022.
Nurse Kate is back full-time for the rest of this year. Starting just as COVID hit, Nurse Kate has been working hard to make sure our school is safe and ready for everyone to stay healthy in our learning environment.
Nurse Kate will have new information to share each week. Check out the weekly Bruin Bulletin or this page. Stay safe Bruins!
6th Grade parents: It is time to schedule the Td/MCV-4 vaccination for your student! The Td vaccination is to prevent whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria. MCV-4 is for preventing meningococcal disease. These are to be obtained before entering 7th grade. Please send me the updated shot record once the vaccinations have been received. Thank you!
Screenings: Vision and hearing screenings are completed for the 2021-2022 academic year. If you have received a referral home, please get an appointment scheduled at your family’s doctor to ensure a proper, thorough assessment of your child’s hearing or vision for the most effective academic outcomes.
Mental Health Awareness: Please take a moment to read this article and visit our Mental Health Tab above: Talking to Children About Their Mental Health
Mental Health Awareness: As you know, the past year has been more than stressful on our and our children’s mental health, it has been traumatic. Having to quarantine, missing athletics and games, limited contact with friends and family – these, in and of themselves, are enough to create a shift in mentality and emotions. I have been doubling down in checking on the students while they are here at school, but if you sense this shift in your child(ren) and need resources, please let me know. Below are a few resources I could find for this letter, yet there are so many more out there. Nothing is too big or too small to mention, we are here for your family.
Should you have any health-related questions or concerns for Nurse Kate please call (513) 471-4530 x119 or send an email at gross_k@stteresa.net
Forms
All medical forms are easily accessible here. http://www.stteresa.net/forms/
Please be sure to update the school when any changes in medication or treatment take place.
Resources
With so much swirling around us today we know your children have questions and need the support of adults. Here are a few articles to help you gain greater insight in how you can help.
Healthy Kids Health Links
You are in a unique role to help prevent childhood obesity. Children spend many hours in early care and education programs, as well as family child care. Help kids build good habits by ensuring a healthy environment for children to learn. Healthy Kids, Healthy Future encourages you to meet these goals. Click here to learn more:
Henry the Hand
Keeping schools and children healthy by teaching the 4 Principles of Hand Awareness!
A non-profit located in Cincinnati, Henry the Hand offers Infection Prevention Tool Kits for early childhood centers, pre-schools and schools that help teachers and school nurses educate young children and students to the benefits of handwashing (hand hygiene), respiratory etiquette (safe coughing and sneezing habits), and not touching your eyes, nose, or mouth (T Zone). They also have resources for families. Visit their website to learn more. Henry the Hand
Spread the Word, Not the Germs!
We are EQUAL
We can work to make a difference right where we are. Mr. Rogers’ & Officer Clemmons’ example on how to treat each other, speak to each other, love each other, and most importantly respect each other is an easy one to follow. In an episode first aired in 1969, Fred Rogers and Officer Clemmons washed each other’s feet. Love was the theme of the episode; a powerful message that was sent to millions across the world and one which we want to perpetuate. This is the message that we teach and live by at St. Teresa of Avila. ALL are WELCOME, ALL are LOVED.
The injustice and mistreatment of people in our country and across the world must stop. We can all work together to educate people and continue the fight against racism and injustice. There are many ways to say “I love you” to our neighbor – this is just one.
For more of Mr. Roger’s wisdom on how to treat each other and ourselves with more dignity, respect, care, and compassion we share this article: Seven Lessons From Mr. Rogers That Can Help Americans Be Neighbors Again
Image: Officer Clemmons and Mister Rogers, reprising their 1969 foot bath more than two decades later, during their final scene together in 1993. (c) The Fred Rogers Company.
