THIS ISSUE:• KEEPING KIDS SAFE

• ALLERGIES

• CYBER BULLYING

• BUDGETING TIPS - HOW TO PLAN A BUDGET

• 5+ A DAY LUNCHBOX IDEAS

• IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR STUDENTS BEING BULLIED

• SMOKEFREE COMMUNITY

Hello, Kia Ora Koutou – Malo e Lelei – Talofa Lava – Ni Hao

Welcome to the fifteenth edition of Health News for schools.

We encourage you to share the health and wellbeing information in our newsletters with all staff, parents, families/whanau and caregivers - through your own newsletters and notice boards, or through copies being sent or emailed home.

Health and wellbeing information for primary school education staff, parents, caregivers and whanau

PUBLIC HEALTH November 2017, Issue 15

HEALTH NEWS FOR SCHOOLS

As the weather starts to hopefully improve and the long summer school holiday approaches it’s a timely reminder to everyone of the importance of water safety.

All children need constant supervision around water —young children are especially at risk — they can drown in less than 2 inches of water. That means drowning can happen where you'd least expect it.

Don't assume that a child who knows how to swim isn't at risk of drowning. All children need to be supervised in the water, no matter what their swimming skills. Infants, toddlers, and weak swimmers should have an adult swimmer within arm's reach to provide "touch supervision." Invest in proper-fitting, approved flotation devices (life vests).

Water temperature is important, too. Enter the water slowly and make sure it feels comfortable for you and your children. Body temperature drops more quickly in water and it doesn't take long for hypothermia (when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it) to set in. If a child is shivering or has muscle cramps, get him or her out of the water immediately.

Supervise your children at all times. Don't assume that just because your child took swimming lessons or is using a flotation device that there's no drowning risk. Seconds count when it comes to water emergencies. Kids shouldn't run or push around water and should never dive in areas that are not marked for diving. Keep water safety a priority, even after the swim season is over.

KEEPING KIDS SAFE

Allergies are very common affecting around 1 in 5 people at some time in their lives. There are many different causes of allergy, and symptoms vary from mild to potentially life threatening. Effective prevention and treatment options are available for most allergies.

Allergy occurs when a person's immune system reacts to substances in the environment that are harmless for most people. These substances are known as allergens and are found in dust mites, pets, pollen, insects, ticks, moulds, foods and some medicines. When a person who is allergic to a particular allergen comes into contact with it, an allergic reaction occurs. Depending on the allergen and where it enters your body, you may experience different symptoms. For example, pollen, when breathed in through the nose, usually causes symptoms in the nose, eyes, sinuses and throat (allergic rhinitis). Allergy to foods usually causes stomach or bowel problems.

The nose, eyes, sinuses and throat When allergens are breathed in, the release of histamine causes the lining of your nose to produce lots of mucus and to become swollen and inflamed. It causes your nose to run and itch and violent sneezing may occur. Your eyes may also start to water and you may get a sore throat.

The lungs and chest Asthma can sometimes be triggered during an allergic reaction. When an allergen is breathed in, the lining of the passages in the lungs swells and makes breathing difficult.

The stomach and bowel Foods which are most commonly associated with allergy include peanuts, seafood, dairy products and eggs. Cow's milk allergy in infants may occur and can cause eczema, asthma, colic and stomach upset. The skin Skin problems such as eczema and hives often occur. Hives are white itchy bumps which look and feel like insect bites. Food may be a factor in some cases of hives and eczema. Most allergic reactions are mild to moderate, and do not cause major problems. However, a small number of people may experience a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. It is a serious condition which requires immediate life saving medication.

If your child has been diagnosed with a very severe allergy, they should have an Anaphylaxis Management Plan from your doctor, which should include an ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis. This is a very important reference document for the teachers when your child is at school.

These are available from the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au

ALLERGIES

Mild to moderate allergic reactions (such as hives or swelling) may not always occur before anaphylaxis

Photo

Name:Date of birth:

Confirmed allergens:

Family/emergency contact name(s):

Work Ph:Home Ph:Mobile Ph:Plan prepared by medical or nurse practitioner:

I hereby authorise medications specified on this plan to be administered according to the plan

Signed:

Date:Action Plan due for review:

AnaphylaxisA C T I O N P L A N F O R

For EpiPen® adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjectors

www.allergy.org.au

1 Form fist around EpiPen® and PULL OFF BLUE SAFETY RELEASE

Hold leg still and PLACE ORANGE END against outer mid-thigh (with or without clothing)

PUSH DOWN HARD until a click is heard or felt and hold in place for 3 secondsREMOVE EpiPen®

How to give EpiPen®

2

3

© ASCIA 2017 This plan was developed as a medical document that can only be completed and signed by the patient's medical or nurse practitioner and cannot be altered without their permission

All EpiPen®s should be held in place for 3 seconds regardless of instructions on device label

• Difficult/noisy breathing• Swelling of tongue• Swelling/tightness in throat• Wheeze or persistent cough

• Difficulty talking and/or hoarse voice• Persistent dizziness or collapse• Pale and floppy (young children)

• For insect allergy - flick out sting if visible • For tick allergy - freeze dry tick and allow to drop off• Stay with person and call for help• Locate EpiPen® or EpiPen® Jr adrenaline autoinjector• Give other medications (if prescribed).......................................................• Phone family/emergency contact

ACTION FOR MILD TO MODERATE ALLERGIC REACTION

SIGNS OF MILD TO MODERATE ALLERGIC REACTION

1 Lay person flat - do NOT allow them to stand or walk - If unconscious, place in recovery position

- If breathing is difficult allow them to sit

2 Give EpiPen® or EpiPen® Jr adrenaline autoinjector3 Phone ambulance - 000 (AU) or 111 (NZ)4 Phone family/emergency contact5 Further adrenaline doses may be given if no response after

5 minutes6 Transfer person to hospital for at least 4 hours of observation

If in doubt give adrenaline autoinjectorCommence CPR at any time if person is unresponsive and not breathing normally

WATCH FOR ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING SIGNS OF ANAPHYLAXIS (SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION)

ACTION FOR ANAPHYLAXIS

• Swelling of lips, face, eyes• Hives or welts• Tingling mouth• Abdominal pain, vomiting (these are signs of anaphylaxis for insect allergy)

ALWAYS give adrenaline autoinjector FIRST, and then asthma reliever puffer if someone with known asthma and allergy to food, insects or medication has SUDDEN BREATHING DIFFICULTY (including wheeze, persistent cough or hoarse voice) even if there are no skin symptomsAsthma reliever medication prescribed: Y N

If the time your child is spending on the internet is having a negative effect on other areas of their development, it’s important to look at their internet use.

Questions to think about• Is excessive internet use affecting their sleep?• Is excessive internet use affecting the quality of their

schoolwork?• Has their behaviour changed?• Do they become angry or even aggressive if you try to limit

their time online?• Are they spending so much time online that other hobbies are

becoming less important?

If your children take their phone to bed with them to ensure they can keep communicating with friends late into the night, this can lead to disrupted sleep and leave your children tired, grumpy, keen to skip school or have an impact on their learning. Internet overuse or a compulsion to stay connected may mean they neglect friends, withdraw from sport or other activities.

A change in behaviour may also be clues to other issues such as cyberbullying or grooming so it pays to ensure your children feel they can share problems with you.

WHAT IS ONLINE BULLYING?

Online bullying or cyberbullying is when a person uses digital technology to send, post or publish content with the intention to harm another person. This behaviour is often aggressive, is

repeated and involves some kind of power imbalance between the people involved.

Online bullying can take many forms:• name calling online• repeated unwanted online messages• spreading rumours or lies• fake accounts used to harass people• excluding people from social activities• embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD IS BEING BULLIED

» Stay calm: Your child needs to be able to talk to you and know that you’ll be level headed, thoughtful and helpful in your response.

» Evaluate the situation: It’s important to know exactly what’s going on before you can work out what to do next. Is it a few off hand remarks, or is it something more serious?

» Understand how your child is being affected: If your child is upset about a situation, let them know that you understand and it’s OK to be upset.

» Don’t take away the technology: Taking away your child’s laptop or mobile phone can alienate them from their most important support network – their peers.

» Work through a plan together: If you need help about what you can do next email queries@netsafe.org.nz or call 0508 638 723 seven days a week.

» www.netsafe.org.nz

IS YOUR CHILD SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME ONLINE?

‘Budget’ doesn’t have to be a dirty word. It’s just a plan of what money we expect to receive and how we expect to spend it.

Budgeting is a way of steering our money and staying in control. A budget’s one of the best tools for getting the most out of our money and getting ahead.

Everyone can benefit from a budget. It can mean the difference between feeling in control and being able to plan ahead, versus always wondering where our money went and going into overdraft between paydays.

A good budget makes managing money and reaching financial goals more of a certainty.

To create a budget, simply add up how much money is coming

into the household, then how much is going out and work out the difference. Free Budgeting services are available throughout the Manawatu.

Check out the whitepages: www.whitepages.co.nz or contact the local citizens advice bureau for further assistance.

BUDGETING TIPS - HOW TO PLAN A BUDGET

Need help right now?

Lifeline Aotearoa’s telephone counseling service provides 24 hours a day, 7 days a week counseling ans support.

0800 543 354

NEED HELP RIGHT NOW?Lifeline Aotearoa’s telephone counselling service provides 24 hours a day, 7 days a week counseling and support.

0800 543 354

It is often very difficult to come up with quick, convenient and healthy ideas for the school lunch box. The following are ideas and suggestions that may be useful to try:

Snacks

• Cherry tomatoes

• Baby carrots and chopped cucumber with hummus

• Sliced capsicum

• Celery with low fat cream cheese or peanut butter

• Banana and apple cut up in yoghurt

• Mandarins

• Strawberries and blueberries

• Pineapple chunks

• Whole fruit – pears, apples, stonefruit

Fillings for sandwiches, wraps, pita pockets

• Avocado, grated carrot and marmite

• Banana and peanut butter

• Cucumber, mint and low-fat cream cheese

• Lettuce and mashed hard-boiled egg

• Coleslaw and cheese

Try these for something different

• Home made pizza slice with mushroom, capsicum, onion and spinach

• Potato frittata with cheese, tomato, corn, grated courgette and onion

• Sushi with avocado and cream cheese

For more information and further ideas and recipes check out: www.5aday.co.nz

5+ A DAY LUNCHBOX IDEAS

Serves: 4Preparation: 15 minutesCooking: none Ingredients1 punnet strawberries200g chocolate½ cup shredded coconut¼ cup chopped pistachio nuts

MethodMelt chocolate according to packet instructionsDip strawberries in the melted chocolate and roll in either the shredded coconut or pistachio nutsPlace on a plate covered with baking paper or glad wrap

Put in the fridge to set

CHRISTMAS STRAWBERRIES

Christmas Strawberries Serves: 4 Preparation: 15 minutes Cooking: none Ingredients 1 punnet strawberries 200g chocolate ½ cup shredded coconut ¼ cup chopped pistachio nuts Method Melt chocolate according to packet instructions Dip strawberries in the melted chocolate and roll in either the shredded coconut or pistachio nuts Place on a plate covered with baking paper or glad wrap Put in the fridge to set

As a member of your community, you can play a big part in introducing smokefree outdoor areas. Start by talking with local community groups, schools, church groups, and your council about what is already in place and what else needs to be done.

There are many benefits to having a smokefree community area, including:

• positive role modelling behaviour for tamariki, youth• a healthy whānau-friendly environment• protecting non-smokers from the dangers of second-hand

smoke

• catering for whānau who do not smoke• a progressive healthy image in your community• encourage stop smoking among whānau and the wider

community• reduced fire risk, which may lead to lower insurance premiums• reduced cleaning and maintenance costs.

If your school, group, club or organisation requires smokefree signage,follow the link below to access free resources or email: smokefree@hpa.org.nz.

AS A MEMBER OF YOUR COMMUNITY

If you're being bullied, you need to tell others what has been going on and build yourself a support team to help tackle this issue so that you're not facing this on your own!

If you have talked to someone and they haven’t helped, don’t give up! Try other options for help! Keep asking until you get the support you need.

When you talk to someone it means you're not alone, and best of all, you can think of ways to overcome the problem together.Here are some people who could be on your support team. Once you have a support team in place, you can take action!

Who can help?

• Whanau• School• Friends

https://www.youthline.co.nz/services/talk-with-someone/

To access the helpline:

Free phone 0800 37 66 33

Free txt 234

Email talk@youthline.co.nz

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR STUDENTS BEING BULLIED

Important notice for students:

If you're being bullied, you need to tell others what has been going on and build yourself a support team to help tackle this issue so that you're not facing this on your own!

If you have talked to someone and they haven’t helped, don’t give up! Try other options for help! Keep asking until you get the support you need.

When you talk to someone it means you're not alone, and best of all, you can think of ways to overcome the problem together.

Here are some people who could be on your support team. Once you have a support team in place, you can take action!

Who can help?

Whanau School Friends

https://www.youthline.co.nz/services/talk-with-someone/

To access the helpline:

Free phone 0800 37 66 33

Free txt 234

Email talk@youthline.co.nz

Te OhuAuahi Mutunga

NRT and stop smoking support are available here

Ask any of our pharmacy staff for information

No smoker left behind

Schools may have provided some information such as students’ names, room numbers, dates of birth, addresses and ethnicities. Your school should have notified you before doing so. This information, together with the information you provide on the Parent Consent Form, is used to help administer this immunisation programme.

Information from the consent form and details of each immunisation given or declined will be recorded by your district health board, and some of it will be passed to the National Immunisation Register.

The National Immunisation Register is a national database, held by the Ministry of Health, which records immunisations given in New Zealand.

This information is protected by the Health Information Privacy Code. Only authorised health professionals will see, use, or change it. However, you may see your child’s information and correct any details; if you would like to do so, contact your public health nurse, doctor or health centre.

Public health nurses will use this information:

• to contact your doctor or health centre if they need to check which immunisations your child has already been given

• if your child has any health concerns

• to inform the school of whether or not your child was immunised

• to help assess this immunisation programme and plan future programmes, or

• to refer your child to your family doctor or practice nurse for the immunisation if they missed it at school.

The National Screening Unit will use this information to support efforts to reduce cancer.

Information that does not identify individuals may be used for research purposes or to plan new services.

For more information about school roll sharing, privacy and the use of information, see your district health board’s privacy policies. If you have any questions about privacy, you can email enquiries@privacy.org.nz or contact the Privacy Commissioner’s free helpline on 0800 803 909.

Public Health Nurse use only NHI Public Health Nurse use only

Adverse effects following immunisation (AEFI) CARM notifi ed

Other AEFI or concern

Severe AEFI with anaphylaxis

Severe AEFI (other)

ACC form completed

This consent form is available from www.healthed.govt.nz or an authorised provider at your district health board. Revised December 2016. 12/2016. Code: HE2044.

Summary Consumer Medicine Information

Public Health Nurse contact details:

• Gardasil® 9 is a vaccine that helps prevent the following diseases caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58: cervical, vulvar, vaginal and anal cancer, abnormal and precancerous cervical, vulvar, vaginal, genital and anal lesions, genital warts, HPV infection and other HPV cancers.

• Each 0.5 mL dose contains 30 micrograms (mcg) of HPV 6 L1 protein, 40 mcg of HPV 11 L1 protein, 60 mcg of HPV 16 L1 protein, 40 mcg of HPV 18 L1 protein, 20 mcg of HPV 31 L1 protein, 20 mcg of HPV 33 L1 protein, 20 mcg of HPV 45 L1 protein, 20 mcg of HPV 52 L1 protein, and 20 mcg of HPV 58 L1 protein.

• Each 0.5 mL dose also contains sterile water and tiny amounts of aluminium, salt (sodium chloride), L-histidine, polysorbate 80, and sodium borate. These ingredients are all used commonly in other medicines and vaccines.

• The vaccine does not contain preservatives, antibiotics, or any human or animal materials.

• The vaccine is manufactured using yeast culture and may contain traces of yeast (Saccharomyces).

• Your child should not have the vaccine if they have an allergy to Gardasil® 9 or any of its ingredients.

• The safety of Gardasil® 9 in pregnancy is unknown. Published data have not found any safety concerns among pregnant women who have been inadvertently vaccinated.

• If your child has any of the following conditions, please discuss with the public health nurse, your doctor or practice nurse before consenting to immunisation: any blood or bleeding diseases or a weakened immune system due, for example, to a genetic defect or Human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV) infection.

• Common reactions are listed overleaf. Other reactions might occur rarely. Reported adverse events are listed in the full Consumer Medicine Information and data sheet available from the Medsafe website.

• If your child has any unusual or severe symptoms after receiving Gardasil® 9, please contact your family doctor or the public health nurse. Health professionals should report reactions that happen after immunisation to the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM). You can also report them directly through the CARM website (www.otago.ac.nz/carm).

Further information is available from Medsafe: www.medsafe.govt.nz/consumers/cmi/g/gardasil9.pdf

Vaccine administered

Student’s Name

Consumer rightsThe Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights applies to all health and disability services in New Zealand. For more information, visit www.hdc.org.nz or call 0800 555 050.Vaccine not administered / rescheduled

HPV dose one:

Date (day / month / year):

Not vaccinated because:

Chose to attend doctor

Student already received HPV

Absent

Contraindicated

Student unwell

Student refused vaccination

Consent withdrawn

Moved

Other:

Vaccinator’s / Administrator’s signature:

Vaccinator’s / Administrator’s name:

HPV dose two:

Date (day / month / year):

Not vaccinated because:

Chose to attend doctor

Student already received HPV

Absent

Contraindicated

Student unwell

Student refused vaccination

Consent withdrawn

Moved

Other:

Vaccinator’s / Administrator’s signature:

Vaccinator’s / Administrator’s name:

Privacy

Date/Time Notes Signature

HPV dose one:

Date (day / month / year):

Batch number:

Expiry date (day / month / year):

Administration site:

Right deltoid Left deltoid

Time:

Vaccinator’s signature:

Vaccinator’s name:

HPV dose two:

Date (day / month / year):

Batch number:

Expiry date (day / month / year):

Administration site:

Right deltoid Left deltoid

Time:

Vaccinator’s signature:

Vaccinator’s name:

www.health.govt.nz/hpv

Parent Consent Form Please sign and return the form to school.

HPV Vaccine(Human Papillomavirus Vaccine)

Helps prevent cancers caused by HPV infection

COOK ISLANDS MĀORI SAMOAN TONGAN MĀORI ENGLISH

HPV immunisation is now funded for both boys and girls aged 9-26. Gardasil 9 will be offered to all participating school students in year 8. Watch out for the consent form which will come home from school with your child early in term 1. HPV vaccine is given by injection in the upper arm by two injections given at least six months apart for those aged 14 and under. Administering the HPV immunisation at a young age promotes a stronger immune response to protect against infection. HPV immunisation aims to protect young people from HPV

infection and the risk of developing cervical cancer and a range of other HPV diseases later in life. HPV causes cancers in both men and women.

For more information: www.immune.org.nz

To find out more about HPV immunisation, talk to the school Public Health Nurse on:

0800 153 042

HPV IMMUNISATION

CHILD BURN INJURIES: Ten things to think about

www.safekids.nz | P +64 9 630 9955 | F +64 9 630 9961 | info@safekids.nz | /SafekidsAotearoa /SafekidsNZ

For more information, download the Safekids Aotearoa child burns factsheet (2017) from our website.

Make your home a safety zone:

270 children are admitted to hospital for a burn every year. Most of these injuries happen in the home.

86% were injured by hot objects or substances (i.e. hot liquid or steam).

14% of hospitalisations

were caused by fire and

flame.

A hot cup spilt on a baby is like a bucket of boiling water tipped on an adult.

A freshly brewed coffee can be as hot as 91°C.

Majority of injuries happen in the kitchen.

Pacific and Māori children are 2X likely to be hospitalised from burns than Asian and European.

3 children are killed each year, mostly by fire/flame. This is also the leading cause of injuries for 10-14 year olds.

Child burn injuries cost ACC around 5 million dollars each year.Burn injury hospital admission rates have remained unchanged over the last ten years.

Keep hot drinks out of reach of kids.

Have working smoke alarms–they save lives.

Use a safety guard around a fire or heater.

First aid: Cool the burn under cold running water for at least 20 minutes ASAP.

A child’s skin is thinner than an adult’s:- At 54°C it takes 10 seconds to cause third degree burns.- At 60°C it takes 1-3 SECONDS.

Boys are burnt 1.5 times more than girls.

In the bath, run cold water first.

Make sure hot water at tap is 50°C (in cylinder it should be 60°C).

O-4 year olds account for 77% of injuries, mostly caused by hot drinks, food, hot water in the tap or bath.

"Children are one third of our population and all of our future."

— Select Panel for the Promotion of Child Health, 1981

QUOTE

NEW HANDWASHING KITThe Public Health Nurses now have 10 new handwashing kits available for schools and colleges to borrow. The revamped resource includes teaching plans for children from early child care entry through to high school. The resource is very useful and provides messages about the importance of handwashing. Speak with the school Public Health Nurse or contact 0800 150 042 to arrange to borrow.

Children from Awapuni School experimenting with the GloGel and handwashing kit

Public Health Services MidCentral Health Private Bag 11 036 Palmerston North 4442

Health Protection Officers Health Promotion Advisors Public Health Unit Community Health Village Palmerston North Hospital Phone (06) 350 9110 Fax (06) 350 9111

Public Health Nurses Vision & Hearing Technicians Health Information Resource Centre575 Main Street Palmerston North Phone (06) 350 4560 or 0800 153 042 Fax (06) 350 4561

Child & Adolescent Oral Health Rimu House Community Health Village Palmerston North Hospital Phone (06) 350 8619 or 0800 825 5833

Public Health Information Resource Centre

575 Main St Palmerston North Phone (06) 350 4560 or 0800 153 042 Fax (06) 350 4561 Email public.healthinfo@midcentraldhb.govt.nz

PUBLIC HEALTH HEALTH NEWS FOR SCHOOLS ONLINE. You can access ’Public Health News’ from the MidCentral District Health Board website: http://bit.ly/1QWrrIl

This latest issue, as well as back issues, are available on the website. So if you remember seeing an article that was of interest and you’d like a copy, it is now only a click away.

PUBLIC HEALTH HEALTH NEWS FOR SCHOOLS ONLINE. You can access ’Public Health News’ from the MidCentral District Health Board website: http://bit.ly/1QWrrIl

This latest issue, as well as back issues, are available on the website. So if you remember seeing an article that was of interest and you’d like a copy, it is now only a click away.

CONTACTS

PUBLIC HEALTH HEALTH NEWS FOR SCHOOLS

Please email any comments about the newsletter, and ideas for future articles (including health and wellbeing initiatives your centre would like to share) to: pam.owen@midcentraldhb.govt.nz. For any enquiries please phone 0800 153 042

- we are happy to provide you with information and answer any questions you have.

Season's Greetings, happy holidays and see you all in 2018!