Thermalito Union Elementary School District School Nurse & Health Services

"Educational" doesn't always mean beneficial.

Research continues to show that screen time can reduce opportunities for the conversations young children need to build speech and language skills. This short JAMA Pediatrics article offers helpful guidance for families navigating screens in today's world.

What Parents Need to Know About Screen Time and Language Development This JAMA Pediatrics Patient Page discusses how screen time may affect language development in children.

https://www.edjoin.org/Home/JobPosting/2201119

Did you know there is a NEW strategy in burn first aid care??

Current best-practice, evidence-based first aid for burns is well defined as 20 MINUTES OF COOL RUNNING WATER within the first three hours of burn injury.

Adequate cool running water delivered, either consecutively or collectively, significantly decreases the depth of burn injury and improves healing outcomes. A three-hour window provides a limited opportunity for caregivers, bystanders, EMS and/or Emergency Departments to deliver effective treatment.

Want to know more? Click this link --> https://www.20crw.org/

We are excited to share upcoming RAP group opportunities for youth ages 11-16 years old.

RAP-A is a universal resilience-building initiative aimed at preventing depression and promoting positive mental health among adolescents.

February is National Children's Dental Health Month!

Medi-Cal Dental covers free dental services for families.
• Children under 21 can get two free dental check-ups each year, or more.
• Adults can get one free check-up each year.
• Cleanings, X-rays, fluoride treatments, and many other services are covered at no cost for members of all ages!

Need Help Seeing a Dentist?
If your child does not have a dentist, I want to help!
I can:
• Help find a dentist
• Make a referral
• Answer dental questions
📞 Please contact your School Health Office

For TK, Kindergarten & New 1st Grade Students:

California law requires students in Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and 1st grade students new to public school to have a Dental (Oral Health) Assessment on file.

What to Do
• Schedule a dental visit for your child
• Bring the Dental Health Assessment Form to the appointment
• Have it completed by a dentist or dental hygienist
• Return the completed form to the school office

✔️ A dental exam completed within the last year meets the requirement.

Why This Matters
Regular dental checkups help keep kids healthy and ready to learn.
Dental visits every 6 months are recommended and are covered by most public and private dental insurance plans. Most dental-related school absences are preventable. Tooth decay is the most common preventable chronic condition in children, yet it causes hundreds of thousands of missed school days each year.

Need a Dentist?
If you need help finding a dentist for your child, please contact the health office — we’re happy to make a referral for you!

Thank you for helping us keep our students healthy!

Sleep is essential for a healthy immune system!

What's one great habit to start in the New Year? Making sure everyone in your house is getting the sleep they need! Check out the chart below to see how much your child should be sleeping.⬇️

Ready or not... vacation is coming to a close!

Back-to-School Countdown: Friday Reset

School starts again on Monday — and today is about helping children’s bodies and brains remember what school rhythm feels like.

Not a full reset.
Not strict routines overnight.
Just gentle preparation.

Easing bedtimes.
Bringing wake-ups a little earlier.
Returning to predictable meals and snack times.
Talking about school in calm, curious ways — who they’ve missed, what they’re looking forward to, what they’d love in their lunchbox.

These small shifts help reduce stress before it shows up as behaviour.

Preparation isn’t pressure.
It’s support.

👉 Come back tomorrow morning for an emotional prep post, including a FREE DOWNLOAD Parent Handout — supporting worries, big feelings, and the transition back into school-ready mode.