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Health Office News

November 2024

Your Templeton Elementary School team of nurses is looking forward to the year ahead and working with your children and families.  You may reach us by phone and/or email on school days from the hours of 8:20-3:15.  Our phone number is 978-939-1210; emails are listed below.

Important things to remember:

• Flu Season is here

  • Please review the flu informational sheet attached HERE. Hand Washing is so important!  Please help teach your children how to wash their hands and cough into their elbows. Talk to your child’s physician about getting an annual flu shot.

• Classroom Parties

  • The school district has a Wellness Policy in place.

  • Please also follow our school's food guidelines for parties and celebrations.

• Cold Weather

  • The cold weather has arrived and we like to get the children outside for recess as much as possible. Please make sure your child/children have the appropriate outerwear here at school. This includes hats, mittens, scarves, winter jackets, snow pants, and snow boots, as appropriate. You may want to consider keeping an extra change of socks in their backpacks.

• Preschool, Kindergarten and 4th grade parents: If your child has a physical during the school year please be sure to send in a copy for their medical record here at school.

• Mandated Health Screenings 

  • The nurses have completed state-mandated health screenings for all students. Please reach out to nursing with any questions regarding vision or hearing referrals sent home with your child(ren).

• Insect Repellent

  • When going outdoors, especially between dawn and dusk (when mosquito activity is at its highest), be sure to wear insect repellent. It is best to wear long pants and long sleeves. TES staff members CANNOT apply bug spray onto your child.  For outdoor field trips, please apply insect repellent before school. 

• Clothing Donations

  • We could use any gently used clothing donations, especially pants, that your children have outgrown. We are running out of extras in the nursing office for accidents and spills. 

Katie May  RN, BSN, NCSN (Prek-1)                                           Megan LaFreniere BSN, RN (2-4)

kmay@nrsd.org                                                                            Mlafreniere2@nrsd.org

Understanding Social Media and Its Impact on Children

In our digitally connected world, social media is an ever-present part of everyday life, including for children. While social media offers valuable ways to stay connected, share experiences, and learn, it also comes with potential challenges and risks, especially for young minds still developing emotional and social skills. As parents, understanding these issues can help us guide our children to make positive choices and stay safe online.

1. Mental Health Concerns

Social media can sometimes contribute to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem in children and teens. As kids scroll through endless images and posts, they may compare themselves to what they see online. Often, these posts are filtered or curated to show only the best parts of someone’s life, which can lead to unrealistic standards. This “highlight reel” effect can be particularly challenging for kids, as they may feel pressured to measure up to these standards, affecting their self-esteem.

How Parents Can Help:

• Encourage open discussions about social media. Remind your children that online posts are often edited and may not represent real life.

• Promote offline activities that nurture their self-worth, like hobbies, sports, or other creative pursuits where they can gain confidence outside of social media.

2. Cyberbullying

One of the most pressing issues with social media is cyberbullying, where children might experience harassment, teasing, or threats online. Unfortunately, cyberbullying can feel relentless because, unlike traditional bullying, it can happen at any time, even outside of school hours.

How Parents Can Help:

• Establish a safe space where your child feels comfortable discussing their online experiences.

• Teach children the importance of treating others respectfully online and reinforce the idea that they can come to you or another trusted adult if they encounter cyberbullying.

• Familiarize yourself with the social media platforms your child uses, including how to report and block accounts that may be problematic.

3. Privacy and Digital Footprint

Children and teens may not fully understand the implications of sharing personal information online. Information such as location, school details, or even seemingly innocent posts can reveal more about them than they might realize. This could lead to privacy concerns or, in some cases, make them vulnerable to online predators.

How Parents Can Help:

• Set ground rules about what personal information should not be shared online.

• Talk to your child about the concept of a “digital footprint” — the lasting trace that their posts, comments, and interactions leave online. Help them understand that their online actions have consequences and that some things are better kept private.

4. Sleep Disruption and Screen Time

The constant pull to check notifications, respond to messages, or keep up with friends’ posts can lead to increased screen time and, in some cases, affect sleep. Excessive screen time, especially before bed, has been linked to disrupted sleep patterns, which can impact mood, attention, and academic performance.

How Parents Can Help:

• Set up tech-free times, particularly before bedtime. This can include keeping phones and other devices outside the bedroom at night.

• Encourage activities that help your child unwind, like reading a book, practicing a hobby, or spending time with family.

5. Academic Distractions

For students, social media can be a significant distraction. Notifications, chats, and browsing can easily interfere with schoolwork and homework, potentially impacting academic performance. Over time, this can lead to a habit of multitasking that reduces focus and comprehension.

How Parents Can Help:

• Create designated homework times where social media use is limited or discouraged.

• Help children recognize the importance of focusing on one task at a time to promote better learning and productivity.

Social media is a powerful tool, and needs guidance and healthy boundaries.. By staying informed and fostering open communication, parents can help their children navigate social media in a way that prioritizes well-being and safety. Together, we can empower the next generation to make smart, healthy choices in the digital world.

Huge thank you to the Lions Club for supplying all of our students with pumpkins again this year!

Templeton Elementary School

The students, staff, and families of the Narragansett Regional School District elementary schools will work together as a learning community to provide a safe, positive learning environment that promotes academic, emotional, social, and physical growth so that all members will be responsible and respectful citizens.