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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

Donations Wanted

Good morning SJCS families,
Your kindness is much appreciated. As a school we have gone through one big tube of Aquaphor, 9 boxes of ice bags, and multiple boxes of alcohol pads. These items are on my wish list and any donations for these highly used items would be much appreciated. Thank you for your kindness. 
 
Thank you,
 
Ms. Blake

Hello SJCS families,
If you have not already done so, please complete and submit your student's required medical forms (dental, eye and/or physical forms). These forms are due by Oct 15 2024.  Additionally, I am a new school nurse here at SJCS so it is crucial every family completes this years Yearly Health History form for each student. The information provided will inform the school nurse of your child’s health history, any current/long-term medications being taken by your child, any life-threatening allergy/condition(s), and/or any medical concern(s), which is necessary to know in order for me to care your children safely and effectively. 
 
This information is confidential and only the school nurse and administration will have access to it. Please complete THIS STUDENT HEALTH HISTORY FORM for each SJCS student in your family by Sept 30th.
 
Thank you,
Ms. Blake 

How Much Sleep Do Students Need?

As we get back into the swing of school routines and activities, sleep is often something that gets overlooked. Adequate sleep contributes to a student's overall health and well-being. Student's who get the proper amount of ZZZ's have better focus, improved concentration and academic performance. 
 
Those who do not get a sufficient amount of sleep have a higher risk for many health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, poor mental health and injuries. Also, they are more likely to have attention and behavior problems, which can contribute to poor academic performance in school. 
 
HOW MUCH SLEEP DO STUDENTS NEED?
 
To promote optimal health, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that children should get the following amounts of sleep on a regular basis:
  • Infants 4 months to 12 months old: 12 to 16 hours (including naps)
  • Children 1 to 2 years old: 11 to 14 hours (including naps)
  • Children 3 to 5 years old: 10 to 13 hours (including naps)
  • Children 6 to 12 years old: 9 to 12 hours
  • Teens 13 to 18 years old: 8 to 10 hours
 
What Parents Can Do
  • Model healthy habits and promote a bedtime and rise routine.
  • Dim lighting, (adolescents who are exposed to more light from (such as room lightening or from electronics) are less likely to get enough sleep. 
  • Implement a media curfew and ban all electronics from the bedroom 1-2 hours before bedtime.
 

 
Thank you to all those who donated supplies to the nurse's office. Your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated. I am now well stocked on supplies, but could always use sanitary napkins and band aids. 
 
Kindly, 
Mrs. Wegener

The Nurse's Office Kindly Accepts Donations

The nurse's office is a busy place and can always use supplies donations. The following items would greatly accepted and appreciated:
 
Maxi pads
cotton balls
small tissue packs
Life Savers Wintergreen mints
Aquaphor Ointment 
Q tips
 
Thank you,
 
Mrs. Wegener
 

Illness on the Rise

Illness is on the rise again and Strep is the star of the week. We are seeing it in multiple grade levels and it's affecting not only students but staff as well.
In this communication, I have highlighted some important information on Strep t and when to keep your child home from school. When your child is sick, it's important that they stay home to rest, get better and to prevent the spread to others. 
 
Strep Throat
 
Strep is an infection caused by a type of bacteria. Strep throat needs treatment with antibiotics and most people get back to normal activity within a few days. 
 
What are the Signs & Symptoms of Strep Throat?
 
Most common symptom's:
  • sore throat that comes on quickly and is especially painful when swallowing.
  • fever
  • red and swollen tonsil with white patches or streak on them
  • painful or swollen neck glands
Other symptoms:
  • headache
  • stomach pain
  • nausea and vomiting
  • loss of appetite
  • rash
Not all sore throats are strep. Most sore throats are caused by viruses, not bacteria. If a child has cold symptoms (runny nose and cough), a hoarse voice, or pink eye, their sore throat is more likely due to a virus and not bacteria. 
 
Strep is very contagious. Anyone can get it, but it mostly affects children and teens. Strep peaks in the winter and early spring when people tend to have more close contact with each other. 
 
If your child has a sore throat and other strep symptoms, call your doctor to schedule an appointment. Strep can be diagnosed in their office with a rapid test. If the test comes back positive, the doctors usually prescribe about 10 days of antibiotic medicine to treat the infection. Antibiotics will improve symptoms and after 24 hours of taking them, the infection can no longer spread to others.
 
Prevention
There is no vaccine to prevent strep throat, but you can take the following measures to help stop the spread:
  • Wash the sick person's dishes, utensils, and drinking cups in hot soapy water or run through the dishwasher for sanitation.
  • Avoid sharing food, drinks, napkins, towels, etc. with the sick person.
  • Frequent handwashing using warm water and soap. Lather for 20 seconds, rinse and dry well.
  • Change out the infected persons toothbrush after they have been on their antibiotic for 24 hours.
  • Cover all sneezes and coughs. Use tissues and avoid sticking fingers in the nose or mouth.
  • Stay home from school, work, sports when not feeling well to avoid spreading germs.
Home care consists of rest, taking the entire course of prescribed antibiotics, (even if symptoms have subsided), lots of fluids to prevent dehydration and avoiding citrus drinks/foods. Popsicles, smoothies, soup and warm liquids can be soothing and help provide some nourishment  Over-the-counter medicine such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen can be used for fever or pain. 
 
Returning to school
A student may return to school after they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours and symptoms have improved. If your child is not showing improvement after a few days, please check in with your doctor.
 
Some other illnesses or symptoms that your child should stay home for (not limited to).
  • A fever of 100 degrees F or higher.
  • Signs they are tired or weak- common with the flu
  • Diarrhea- having 1 or more episodes in a 24 hour period
  • Vomiting-having 1 or more episodes in a 24 hour period
  • Coughing that disrupts normal activity
  • Wheezing, shortness of breath or any severe breathing difficulties
  • Earache, headache, or sore throat lasting longer than 12 hours
  • Yellow, green discharge from the eye(s)
  • A new rash- Can return to school once it has been diagnosed as non infectious.
  • Recent injury, surgery, dental procedure that impedes daily activities.
  • Overall not feeling well or anything that will make it difficult to participate in the school day.
  • Any contagious disease such as strep, pink eye, flu, etc. or anything requiring an antibiotic. They may return after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment and improvement of symptoms.
I hope this has provided some guidance. As always, please feel free to reach out with questions or concerns.
 
Kindly,
Mrs. Wegener

Increase in Pink Eye Cases

Increase in Pink Eye in Pre K- 2nd Grade

 

We are seeing an increase of Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) in our lower grades, especially Preschool.

Pink Eye is often highly contagious. It can be caused by a viruses, bacteria, allergens, or irritants. Symptoms include the following:

 

  • Redness or swelling
  • Watery eyes
  • A gritty feeling
  • Itchiness, irritation, or burning
  • Discharge
  • Crusting of the eyelids or eyelashes
  • Symptoms that get worse or don’t improve
  • Eye pain or sensitivity to light

 

If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, please keep them home from school and consult with their doctor. If an antibiotic is prescribed, they cannot return to school until they have been on the medicine for 24 hours and symptoms have improved.

 

Thank you for your cooperation in helping to keep our students healthy.

 

Kindly, 

 

Mrs. Wegener



https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/conjunctivitis.html

 

Reminder: Health History Form due tomorrow!

This was included in the June 13th communication. 
 
 

To be completed by a parent/guardian for each child attending SJCS for the 2023-24 academic school year, no matter what grade 

As with each new school year, it is necessary to update your child’s health information as things may have changed over the past year. This information will inform the school nurse of your child’s health history, any current/long-term medications being taken, any life-threatening allergy/condition(s), and/or any general medical concern(s). 

This information is confidential, and will remain so, unless of a medical emergency occurring on school premises.  Please complete THIS STUDENT HEALTH HISTORY FORM for each of your SJCS students by Friday, June 30th. This link will not be posted on the school website.

Yearly Health History Form is Due on 8/19

If you haven't done so already, please complete and submit your student(s) yearly health history.

 

Previously communicated

Yearly Health History Forms

As with each new school year, we need a health history form completed for every student attending SJCS for the 2022-23 academic school year. The information provided will inform the school nurse of your child’s health history, any current/long-term medications being taken by your child, any life-threatening allergy/condition(s), and/or any medical concern(s). 


This information is confidential and only the school nurse and administration will have access to it.  Please complete THIS STUDENT HEALTH HISTORY FORM for each SJCS student in your family by August 19th. 

Thank you,

Mrs. Wegener

Sports Physical Reminder 5th-8th Grade

 
                   
 
 
For all 5th-8th grade students who will be participating in a school sponsored sport please read the following requirements:
 
  • Sports physicals are required every year for all athletes in grades 5, 7, and 8.  A complete physical is required for all students in 6th grade.
  • Physicals are due to the school office before the athlete can practice. Please email, upload or drop off to the school office completed physicals before the first day of practice.
  • All physicals must be in the school office before a student will be allowed to practice to avoid exclusion. 
  • Please ensure that the entire form is filled out and completed by all required parties.
Forms can be found here Sports Physical Form
 
Please reach out with any questions.
 
Thank you,
 
Mrs. Wegener

School Nurse is Back to School

 
 
 
 
Dear Families,
 
I hope this finds you well and you are enjoying the last lazy days of Summer! I will be back in my office starting 8/8 and available from 8:00-2pm. If you have any questions or needs for the upcoming school year, please reach out either by phone or email. Looking forward to seeing your kiddos soon :)
 
Kindly,
Mrs. Wegener
 
                                         

March is National Nutrition Month

 
 
 
 
                       
 
 
Break the Brown Bag Blues
 
In honor of National Nutrition Month, give your child's lunch a brown bag makeover. It is important to pack your child a healthy lunch to provide them with the nutrients they need for learning, growing and play, it's also important to make sure they eat it . To ensure your child's lunch doesn't go to waste, I have included some simple tips to help break the brown bag boredom.
 
Sit down once a week or before grocery shopping to plan lunches together. 
  • Encourage them to pack or help you pack their lunch. If they have a role in putting it together, they are more likely to eat it. 
Celebrate special days.
  • Plan lunches menus around special days. For example, pack all green veggies or fruit sides, or make a rainbow fruit salad for St. Patrick's Day.
Try new foods.
  • Bring your child to the grocery store to pick out some new fruits or vegetables. This will encourage an interest in trying new foods and may be helpful for picky eaters.
Incorporate the rainbow in each lunch.
  • Pack a salad with lots of veggies and see how many different colors that you can add- fruit is a tasty addition to salads. 
  • Fruit salad with the colors of the rainbow and add a few mini marshmallows for fun.
  • Add peas, broccoli, or carrots to mac and cheese
  • Minestrone soup/Vegetable Soup
Switch up the same old sandwich routine.
  • Use mini whole grain pitas, tortillas, crackers, English Muffins instead of bread. 
  • whole grain cereal
  • soup
  • mac and cheese
  • cheese and crackers
  • whole grain English Muffin pizza
  • pasta
Invest in fun containers.
  •  A quality insulated lunch bag in a fun print and insulated food container will enable your child to take a wider variety of food options. Also, remember to use an ice pack to keep cold foods cold if your child's lunch box/bag is not insulated to prevent food poisoning. 
  • Bento boxes Best Bento Boxes 2022
More fun ideas and recipes to help boost that brown bag!
 

Thank you :)

To all the kind and generous families that donated supply items to the nurse's office,
 
Your kindness and support is much appreciate and I am lucky to apart of this amazing school. 
 
Kindly,
 
Mrs. Wegener