Autism Acceptance Week @ Tuscan April 4, 2022 - April 8, 2022!
Dear Tuscan Family,
As a Tuscan family we want to educate and teach our children about autism and neurodiversity. Everyone deserves to be accepted and embraced for who they are. By celebrating our children’s differences and things that make them unique, we are teaching our students how to appreciate uniqueness in others too. Traditionally the puzzle piece and blue have been the symbols and color that represent Autism Awareness. Over the last few years, autism self-advocates have been very vocal that they are not a puzzle to be solved and they are moving toward the infinity symbol for neurodiversity.
April 4th-8th we will celebrate Autism Acceptance Week at Tuscan with some fun themed days. Overall, we want to help our students understand that both awareness and acceptance are required to ensure that our family and friends with autism thrive and enjoy the benefits of inclusion, equality and support within the educational system, workplace and society.
Thank you teachers, students and parents for joining us in a week long opportunity to celebrate diversity and acceptance by participating as best you can.
See below for the calendar of events for April 4, 2022 - April 8, 2022.
A Message from Our School Nurse Ms. Thompson
In the spring and fall, tree, grass, and weed pollens float into the air and can result in a runny nose, sneezing, and itchiness in the nose, throat, and eyes. Doctors call it allergic rhinitis (when it affects the nose) or allergic conjunctivitis (when it affects the eyes). What steps can be taken so allergies do not interfere with your child’s school, activities, or life? Minimizing pollen exposure and considering allergy medication may help reduce symptoms of seasonal allergies.
Tips to Minimize Allergic Symptoms: Natural Steps to Avoid Pollen
- Consider wearing natural fabrics. When you choose natural fabrics such as cotton, you may attract less pollen, some experts say. Silks and synthetic fabrics tend to build up static electricity, which attracts pollen.
- Dry your clothes in a clothes dryer if available, not on an outdoor line. Pollen can collect easily on clothing or bed linens left outside.
- Wipe your pet’s fur. If you have a pet that goes outside, wipe his fur off before he comes back in. Pets can bring pollen indoors on their fur.
- Remove your shoes at the door at home. Take off your shoes before you come into the house, so you don’t track in pollen.
- Shampoo and shower before bed. That way, pollen that collected on your skin and hair during the day won’t rub off on your pillow.
- Change your clothes before bed. Pollen that collected on your clothes during the day won’t rub off on your sheets.
- Wash your face (and eye glasses if you wear them) after being outside. Wash away the pollen that may have collected on your face, eyebrows, and eyelashes during outdoor activities.
- Wear oversized sunglasses. Especially on windy days, big sunglasses will help keep pollen out of your eyes.
- Consider outdoor time in the morning and late afternoon. Pollen counts are usually highest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pollen sticks around in moderate temperatures with low humidity. Pollen is carried by the wind. Rain washes pollen away
Consider Allergy Medication
Sometimes avoiding pollen isn’t enough, and often it is just not possible. Your child may benefit from allergy medicine. Although there are many over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants, eye drops and nasal sprays, it is important that you work with your pediatrician to make sure that your child’s allergy is correctly diagnosed and the symptoms are properly treated. A 24-hour non-drowsy medication is often suggested.
And Remember - Sneeze in Your Sleeve!
To learn more, visit aafa.org
Please feel free to reach out to me by email.
Ms. Thompson athompso@somsd.k12.nj.us
TUSCAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The School District of South Orange and Maplewood
Email: ROARforTuscan@somsd.k12.nj.us
Website: www.somsd.k12.nj.us/tuscan/
Location: 25 Harvard Avenue, Maplewood, NJ, USA
Phone: 973-378-5221