Flu Updates In April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began tracking cases of a subcategory of influenza A now known as the H1N1 virus infection in individuals in the United States and worldwide. As with any potential for infectious disease, our Health Services Department is working closely with the Jackson County Health Department to help ensure a healthyand safe environment for students. Health Services staff members routinely track flu-like symptoms within schools and report them to county officials.
MRSA and Staph Infections As you may have heard recently in the news media, there is currently a drug resistant type of staph infection. This ‘Superbug’ has been linked to community organizations across the nation. It is Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and is known as a virulent strain of staph due to its resistance to penicillin and other antibiotics, though it can be treated with other drugs. This particular strain infects about 90,000 Americans annually. For more information about MRSA and the Blue Springs School District click here.
Nutrition and Wellness The Blue Springs School District is committed to educating the whole child. This education includes proactive information and training in health and wellness. The Board recognizes the relationship between student well-being and student achievement as well as the importance of a comprehensive district wellness program. Therefore, the district will provide developmentally appropriate and sequential nutrition and physical education as well as opportunities for physical activity. The wellness program will be implemented in a multidisciplinary fashion and will be evidence based. To view this policy click here.
Student Assistance Program
This program is available to any student needing additional support services, and continues to serve thousands of students yearly. This program has been recognized nationally and its leaders have won many State and National Awards for this project's work with children. The SAP assists students K-12 in many ways providing support in areas of academic needs, behavioral needs, health issues, and social areas, generating assistance towards a successful school experience for the student. A family can access this program by asking for their school's SAP Building Coordinator at any time in their child's school experience, or through their child's school life, until success at graduation. Contact your school for help.
The Choking Game: Understanding the Dangers The Choking Game achieve a brief high or euphoric state by stopping the flow of oxygen containing blood to the brain. Sometimes children choke each other until the person being choked passes out. The pressure on the arteries is then released and blood flow to the brain resumes causing a "rush" as consciousness returns. There is a lesser chance of death but it is still not safe. Playing this game in any form causes the permanent and cumulative death of large numbers of brain cells. The variation in blood pressure may also cause strokes, seizures, and retinal damage. If the child loses consciousness and there is no one there to IMMEDIATELY release the pressure, he is unable to help himself. The child will suffer brain damage and death certainly after three minutes. For more information click here
Anti-Bullying Curriculum Being Implemented The Blue Springs School District is implementing a new curriculum this year. Through careful research and commitment by our Board of Education, staff, parents, and community members a program to address bullying in the schools has been adopted. The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) is recognized by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence as one of only eleven Blueprints Model Programs and by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as a Model Program-two of the highest honors a prevention program can attain. It has also received numerous awards from other organizations dedicated to addressing the issue of bullying and violence among children. OBPP is used at the school, classroom, and individual levels and includes methods to reach out to parents and the community for involvement and support. School administrators, teachers, and other staff are primarily responsible for introducing and implementing the program. These efforts are designed to improve peer relations and make the school a safer and more positive place for students to learn and develop. Below are links to useful information for parents to help their children. What is Bullying? What should you do if your child is being bullied? What to do if your child is bullying others What to do if your child witnesses bullying What can parents do to address cyber-bullying? Tips for parents of bullied students
