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Jennifer Blake, RN 

School Nurse

847-362-0730 ext.333

Fax 847-362-8130

[email protected]

 

 

 

      

 

My background and credentials:

 

  •  Associate Degree in Nursing from College of Lake County
  • This is my 1st year in School Nursing
  • I have been certified in CPR since 2018
  • Member of the National School Nurse Association (NSNA) and Illinois School Nurse Association (ISNA)

 

Thank you for visiting this page. My name is Jennifer Blake and this is my first year at St. Joseph Catholic School (SJCS). I grew up Libertyville and attended the public school system. After graduating from Libertyville High School, I attended the College of Lake County where I earned my nursing degree. I started my career at Chicago Behavioral Hospital in Des Plaines, and now I am excited to start my career in School Nursing. I enjoy continuing my education, and I am currently attending Illinois State University for my Bachelors in Nursing. 

 

I live in Libertyville with my son Kenny, and parents Patrick and Kathy. I enjoy cooking, reading, exercising and spending time with my family. 

 

Please be sure to periodically check back or subscribe to my page for health updates and information throughout the school year. My door is always open so please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Thank you and I look forward to working with your children this upcoming school year.

 

Kindly,

Ms. Blake, RN 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

Posts

Everyday illnesses vs. COVID-19

Being sick in today's world looks a bit different than it has in the past. Families are so focused on ruling out COVID-19, that they are forgetting about the other common illnesses such as the common cold, influenza, gastroenteritis, etc. It is always a good idea to have your child tested through their doctor's office if they are not feeling well. This way, they can be fully evaluated and get the proper care and guidance they need to feel better.  Testing facilities  

Safe Treats for Halloween and other Classroom Parties

I am often asked of safe treat/foods that can given at classroom parties and I wanted to share food items that are safe for all. Although, not required a healthy option is highly encouraged. This can include fruit, yogurt, popcorn etc.
 
As an added safeguard, please check ingredient labels each time of purchase to make sure there is still no peanuts/tree nuts or cross contamination statements. Ingredients can change without warning.
 

Safe Party Foods/Snack List

Peanut & Tree Nut Free


Please avoid snacks that contain peanuts (including peanut flower, peanut oil, or peanut butter) or tree nuts (including almonds, cashews, pecans, macadamias, hazelnuts/filberts, Brazil nuts, pistachios, pine nuts, walnuts, and coconut, or any flour, oil or butter).

Please read labels carefully to make sure the products are safe. This includes avoiding labels with cross contamination warnings such as:

  • May contain traces of peanuts/tree nuts”
  • “Produced in a facility that also processes peanuts/tree nuts”
  • Or any similar statement.
FOOD LABELS/INGREDIENTS MAY CHANGE AT ANY TIME,  SO PLEASE CHECK THE LABEL BEFORE PURCHASING SNACKS, EVEN THOSE ON THIS LIST. 

Fruits/Vegetables

All fresh fruit, Prepackaged/Bagged fruit

Market Pantry Raisins

Ocean Spray Craisins- Plain only

Sunmaid Raisins

All fresh vegetables-Pre Packaged/bagged

Fruit Cups/Applesauce

Fruit Cups- Delmonte, Dole

Applesauce- Musselmans, Mott’s

GoGo Squeez Applesauce on the go

Mott’s Snack and Go

Dairy

Yogurt in individual cups/tubes (NO nut based alternatives or flavors)

String cheese-Kraft, Frigo, Horizon Organic

Yogurt- Yoplait, Stonyfield Farms, Horizon Organic, Dannon, Trader’s Joe’s (Squishers tubes), GoGurts, 

Crackers/Chips/Snack items

Triscuits and Triscuits Thin Crisps

Cheez Its

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers

Honey Maid Grahams

Back to Nature-Honey Graham Sticks

Teddy Grahams

Keebler Scooby-Doo Graham Cracker Sticks

Fruit Newtons

Animal Crackers ( Specific brands- Austin’s, Barnum and Annie’s)

Nilla Wafers

NAbisco Ginger Snaps

Pirates Booty

Clif Kid ZFruit or Z Fruit and Veggie bars

Nutri Grain soft baked cereal bars

Cheetos and Simply cheetos, Doritos, Tostitos

Sun Chips

Lays or Simply Lays

Skinny Pop

Boom Chicka Boom

Pretzels:

  • Keebler town house flipsides pretzel crackers
  • Rold Gold
  • Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps

Kellogg’s Rice Krispie Treats

Chips Ahoy

Oreo:

  • Original
  • Double stuffed
  • Mini’s
  • 100 Calorie Pack
  • Thins
  • Mint

Enjoy Life Brand cookies

Hostess Donettes ( Not crunch variety)

Pudding- Handi snacks, Snack Pak

Fruit Snacks:

  • Florida’s Natural Au’Some Fruit Nuggets
  • Cliff Kids- organic fruit rope
  • Mott’s Original assorted fruit snacks
  • Welch’s fruit snacks
  • General Mills fruit snacks

Bakery Items

Nutphree’s bakery products: cupcakes, frosted sugar cookies ( Jewel, Walmart, Mariano’s, Whole Foods)

Lee Donut Shop- Donuts (nut free store)

Candy/Marshmallows

Airheads

Dots

Tootsie Brand Candies (all)

Candy Canes (Spangler Brand)

Starburst

Dum Dum suckers

Gummies- Albanese brand

Hershey Kisses- milk chocolate only

Junior Mints

Laffy taffy

Pixy stix

Ring pops

Correction to "Snack time" post

Dear Parent,
 
I apologize, but there was a mistake in my post that recently went out regarding classroom snack time.
Correction:    Snacks for snack time MUST BE NUT FREE. 
I apologize for the mistake and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
 
Kindly,

Mrs. Wegener

Nurse Notes

Summer Break is so close and we have successfully navigated through a school year like no other. To continue down this path I have posted some reminders and information that I think will be helpful. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
 
Kindly,  
Mrs. Wegener
Hand washing is one of the most important things we can do to prevent the spread of germs and protect ourselves from illness. I have posted a link to an informative article that teaches proper hand cleaning technique, details safe and unsafe hand sanitizers, and provides tips on how to make hand washing fun for little ones. I hope everyone is staying safe! 
 
Regards,
Mrs, Wegener
 

Optional Medication Pick Up Tomorrow

Dear Parent,
 
If your child has medication in my office at school and you would like to pick it up for the time being, I will be in my office tomorrow  from 9-Noon. This is not required and you may leave it, but this will be the only day I will be in my office until further notice. If you have any questions or concerns, I will be checking my email daily.
 
Kindly, 

Supplies Wish List

Dear Parents,
 
I understand the demand is high for cleaning and sanitizing products, but if you come across the following, I am kindly asking for donations:
 
  • Clorox or any brand of sanitizing wipes
  • Purell or any brand of hand sanitizer
  • 1- Aquaphor Healing Ointment
  • Band Aid Brand, Neosporin Brand or any  generic form of Antiseptic/ First Aid Wash
  • Sanitary pads, Ultra Thin
  • Life Saver Mints Pep O Mint
  • Large flexible bandages
  • Travel sized Tissue packs
  • Jumbo sized cotton balls
  • Large latex-free exam gloves
Thank you for your continued support to keep our students healthy! 
 
 
 

Frequently Asked Questions About Whooping Cough

As you know, we have had another diagnosed case of Pertussis in the school.
There's been many inquiries on this is happening, especially since our students are vaccinated to prevent Pertussis. Unfortunately, the vaccine offers the best coverage in the first two years and then declines over time. With this decline, it can cause a student to contract Pertussis, but the illness tends to be mild. 
 
"CDC estimates that in the first year after getting vaccinated with Tdap, it protects 7 out of 10 people who receive it. About 3 or 4 out of 10 people are fully protected 4 years after getting Tdap."
 
For FAQ's on Whooping Cough please click below:
 
 
 

Fever and Illness Reminder

 
 
  • If a student has a fever of 100 degrees or above, he/she may not return to school until they have been fever free (without the use of any fever reducing medications) for 24 hours.
  • If the illness requires the use of an antibiotic, the student must be on the medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
  • If a student is vomiting due to illness, they may return to school after 24 hours of non-vomiting.
Coronavirus Information:
 
We continue to watch and learn new information on the Coronavirus and how it will effect our lives in the upcoming weeks. As I continue to learn and find helpful resources, I will share to my website for you to see. 
 

Gentle Dental Reminder

REMINDER: Dental Exam Forms Due Soon!!!
 
Dental Exam forms are due on May 15, 2020 for the following grade levels only:
 
  • Kindergarten
  • Second Grade
  • Sixth Grade
 
 
If you have not submitted your students form please due so by the May 15th deadline. Forms can be faxed directly to school at 847-362-8130 Attn: Mrs. Wegener    

Be on the Lookout..........Germs of the Joe!!

Be on the Lookout........
Here is what I am seeing illness and health wise in the past week or so. If you think your child may sick please follow the 24 hour rule when deciding if they should stay home or not.
Lice: Check you child's head weekly using a fine tooth comb paying close attention to behind the ears and the nape of the neck. Lice tend to look like dandruff. The way to tell the difference is that nits are firmly attached to hair, while dandruff, dirt, or other particles are not.
Flu: It's not to late to get a flu shot!  There's no guaranteed way to avoid the flu. But get getting the flu vaccine  every year can help. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get it each year.
Fifth Disease: Fifth disease is a viral illness that most kids recover from quickly and without complications.Common in kids ages 5-15. It causes a distinctive red rash first appearing on the face, then spreading to the trunk and extremities. The child is no longer contagious when the rash appears.
Mono: One case of Mono has been reported in middle school. The symptoms include fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes or glands and fatigue. Additional symptoms may occur and for more information please click on the link. Mono Information  
Strep Throat: 
 
I am hoping with the shift in weather, it will give us the opportunity to open windows and eliminate some of these nasty germs! Please continue to encourage good hand washing, frequent washing of school items such as lunch bags, gym uniforms, etc. 
 
I hope this helps and stay well!!
 
 

When to Keep Your Child Home from School

 
Since returning from break I have seen an increase in illnesses, especially Influenza and Strep throat. If your child is not feeling well and you are unsure if they should attend school, please follow these general guidelines to help make the decision. Your child's well being, and the possibility of infecting classmates should also contribute to making the decision to keep your child home.
 
As general guidelines, keep home if:
  •  If they have a fever of 100 degrees or higher (they cannot return to school until they have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of a fever reducer such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen). This is a school policy.
  • Appears ill, and not well enough to participate in class
  • You think they may be contagious to others
If your child has been ill but is feeling better, yet has still awakened with a minor problem, such as a runny nose or slight headache, you can send them to school if none of the three circumstances listed above are present. If you are still unsure what to do, please consult with your physician for further guidance.
 
One last thing.....
 
Remember to report your child's absence to Mrs. Lentino before 8 am.
 
Kindly,
 
Mrs. Wegener

How To Stop A Nosebleed

With the recent cold burst and weather fluctuations, I've seen an increase in nosebleeds. Nosebleeds are extremely common and usually do not require medical attention. About 60% of people experience a nosebleed at some point in the their life, and only 10% of nose bleeds are serious. With this is mind, I am sharing a helpful article from the AAP to manage and prevent a nosebleed.