March 2025

• National Women's History Month: International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8th. This month honors the contributions made by women to all aspects of life. It serves to raise awareness to the ongoing challenges affecting women globally. Please click HERE for more information.
• Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week: Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system. While it usually strikes during middle age, students in our community may have loved ones suffering from this disease. MS Awareness Week will be celebrated March 9-15th. Please click HERE for more information.
• Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month: Cerebral Palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement, muscle tone and posture caused by damage or abnormal development of the brain during or shortly after birth. Our school community has several students with varying degrees of this condition. Please click HERE for more information.
• National Nutrition Month: Started by Congress in 1980, the month of march was dedicated to educating people about the importance of nutrition in overall health and well being. Please click HERE for more information.

Reminders from the Health Office

• Sick Day Guidance: With the increased incidence of flu and respiratory viruses, our nursing team would like to call attention to our policy regarding fevers. If your child has a fever of 100 degrees or greater, please keep them home. A fever indicates that your student is infectious and is transmitting their illness to their peers. Administering Tylenol or Motrin products will improve symptoms but not stop the transmission of the germs. The policy states that a student should remain at home until fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication or cessation of symptoms.
• Screening Referrals: Our health offices are still awaiting vision and hearing screening referrals from many students. Please contact your school RN if you are having difficulties receiving follow up care.
• Annual Physical Exam and Immunization Documentation: The nursing department would like to thank everyone for their swift response to immunization compliance. To avoid having an issue in the future, please keep routine annual well child exam appointments and submit documentation to your school RN after the appointment.

How To Feed The Brain

• Many people think of weight loss and bone density when the topic of nutrition is addressed. However, our brains require good nutrition as well to maintain proper functioning.
• Proper nutrition from a healthy, well balanced diet reduces the incidence of conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease which are linked to the development of dementia in older adults.
• Research has shown that the following nutrients are critical in maintaining brain health:
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids: 60% of the brain is comprised of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as DHA which is an omega 3 fatty acid. The body is unable to produce these acids on its own. The best way to supply the body with these vital nutrients is by eating foods high in Omega 3s such as oily fish, seeds, nuts and plant oils.
• B Vitamins: All of the B vitamins are essential for breaking down homocysteine which is an amino acid found in proteins. High levels of homocysteine are often associated with diseases causing cognitive decline. Vitamin B also plays an important role in mental health but the research is evolving and remains unclear at this time. Food sources of B vitamins include leafy, green vegetables, meats, dairy, whole grains and legumes.
• Antioxidants and Phytonutrients: Free radicals are substances that attack healthy tissues in the body. Vitamins C and E, selenium, anthocyanins and lycopene work to minimize damage caused by free radicals. These nutrients can be found in fruits and vegetables like berries, apples, artichokes, grapes, tomatoes and apricots.
• Vitamin D: Vitamin D is found in every cell in the body. Vitamin D is proven to help prevent cognitive decline. Great sources of Vitamin D are found in dairy, oily fish and chicken or beef liver. Sunlight exposure also plays and important role with the conversion of calcium to Vitamin D within the body.
• Choline: Choline plays an important role of fat metabolism in the body. This nutrient is essential for.a variety of functions within the neurological system. Sources of Choline include meat, dairy, soy products and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.
• In addition to proper nutrition, a healthy lifestyle is critical to maintaining good cognitive functioning. Its good practice to maintain a proper sleep schedule, manage stress, keep hydrated and participate in regular physical activity.

Please click HERE for additional information.

Healthy Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 8 oz of whole grain macaroni noodles
• 1 TBSP butter spread
• 1 TBSP whole-wheat flour
• 10 oz bag (2 cups) cubed frozen squash, thawed
• 2 oz (1/2 cup packed) reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese

Please click HERE for full recipe, preparation instructions and nutrition information

• St. Patricks Day Trolley: This event begins at the Good Witch of Salem with a story about Leprechauns and rainbows. Guests will then embark on a magical trolley tour around Salem figuring out riddles related to the story. Please click HERE for schedule and ticket pricing.
• Anime Club: The Salem Public Library offers an anime club on Tuesday Nights at 6:30pm for children in 5th grade and up. Please click HERE for registration information.
• Sunset Hike to Cedar Point: This event is held at the Crane Estate on Saturday, March 15th and again on Saturday, March 29th. You will hike along the Cedar Point Trail at 3:30 and end in an area overlooking the Fox Creek Tidal Estuary complete with fire pits. Please click HERE for registration information.
• Salem Woods Nature Trail in Highland Park: This is a great hike or bike! Best of all, this is a free activity. For information about the trail and map, please click HERE
• Teen Volunteer NIght: The Salem Public Library will host this event Tuesday, March 25th for students in 6th grade and up. This is a great way for students to earn their volunteer hours for school. Please click HERE for registration information.