Welcome, School Nurses! If you are new in your role as a school nurse, we at Children's of Alabama would like to be the first to say welcome to your new adventure! We have many resources available to assist you in your new role, and we are so excited to be on this journey with you. We would also like to give a big shout-out to our friends that are returning from their summer break! As we begin this new academic year, your dedication and passion inspire all of us. Thank you for everything you do for our children. Let the school year begin! | |
 |  | Going back to school provides the perfect opportunity to teach children about pedestrian safety, bike safety, and bus safety. All kids become a pedestrian at some point during the day, whether it be during their walk to the bus stop, navigating the parking lot, or perhaps walking the entire way to school. Every day 44 kids are hit by a car in the United States; that is 16,000 children every year1. Teach children to look left - right - and left again before crossing the street, make eye contact with the driver so they know the driver sees them, and have young children cross the street with an adult2. Not only are kids walking to school, they're also taking the bus and riding their bike. Children should stand at least 10 feet away from the curb when they are waiting for the bus. They should also walk at least 10 feet away from the bus when they are crossing in front of it - never walk behind the bus3. When biking to school, ride in the same direction as the cars are going, and stop at all stop signs - you have to obey the same traffic laws that cars do, and always wear a helmet that fits correctly4. Whether your students walk, bike, or ride the bus, following these safety techniques can ensure a safe commute to and from school this year.
- Safe Kids Worldwide - Back to School Safety Tips: How to Walk Safely
- Safe Kids Worldwide - Pedestrian Safety
- NHTSA - School Bus Safety
- KidsHealth - Bike Safety
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Children's of Alabama partners with multiple state agencies to provide FREE teen driving safety summits to schools throughout Alabama. Join us this fall at the location nearest you. | |
National Immunization Awareness Month | |
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As you know, immunizations are required for children to attend school. However, many parents seek assurance regarding the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. In 2022, 20.5 million children did not get one or more of the vaccines provided through routine immunization services, down from 24.4 million children in 2021. Despite this improvement, the figure is still higher than the 18.4 million children who missed out in 2019, before pandemic-related interruptions1. Some people think natural immunity is better than a vaccination; however, this is not the case. It is better to prevent sickness than having to fight off an infection2. If parents have questions, always refer them to their child's primary care provider. Addressing parents' concerns can help them feel more confident about choosing to vaccinate.
- World Health Organization - Childhood immunization begins recovery after COVID-19 backslide
- Mayo Clinic - Childhood Vaccines: Tough questions, straight answers
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iLet Insulin Pump
As the new school year begins, you may begin to see some of your students using the new iLet insulin pump, if you haven't already. Our insulin pump educators put together a presentation to help you better understand how to use this pump.
Click here to view the iLet Insulin Pump slides.
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Do you have students who have diabetes whose providers are at Children's of Alabama? | |
If you have students with diabetes whose provider is located at Children's of Alabama, please read the following notice regarding dietary needs in the school setting. | |
Don't let this school year be a stressful one | | |
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Think First Alabama is part of a National Injury Prevention Foundation dedicated to preventing brain, spinal cord and other traumatic injuries. This program is available to your school FREE of charge, and is designed to provide age-appropriate injury prevention education for children of all ages.
For additional information, view the Think First Alabama flier, or to schedule a session at your school reach out to Julie Farmer via telephone at 205- 638-2729 or email at julie.farmer@childrensal.org
In the video below, you can find a more comprehensive overview of the ThinkFirst program.
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Need help educating your students and parents? | | |
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Check out KidsHealth
- Printable resources with advice on children's health, behavior, and growth from before birth through the teenage years
- Information on a variety of topics including how the body works, homework help, and more
- Approved by doctors, and has separate sections written specifically for parents, teens, and kids
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If you have any suggestions on future content you would like to see featured in our newsletter, please reach out to us via email at healthedu.safety@childrensal.org. | |
Inside Pediatrics
Inside Pediatrics is a free monthly podcast series featuring specialists at Children’s of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Episodes cover topics related to child health and wellness, research and treatment, and frequently complement articles appearing in Inside Pediatrics magazine.
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