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Tips for a Safe and Healthy School Year
Clallam County Health and Human Services
August 2003
As summer is drawing to an end and families around Clallam County are preparing for the back to school rush, Clallam County Health and Human Services offers the following tips for a safe and healthy school year.
Immunizations
A healthy school year begins with making sure your child's immunizations are up to date. Children whose immunizations are not up-to-date will not be able to enroll in public schools or daycare centers in Clallam County. Childhood immunizations are a safe and effective way to keep children healthy. When you vaccinate your child you are protecting your child and the whole community from deadly diseases.
As part of National Immunization Awareness Month, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the U.S. Public Health Service are encouraging children aged 12 months and older, who have not had chickenpox, to get vaccinated with the varicella vaccine. The risk for serious complications from chickenpox disease increases for children who are 11 years of age and older and adults who become infected. If you or your older child hasn't had chickenpox, get vaccinated.
The Health Department offers immunizations at its clinics in Port Angeles and Forks. Walk-in immunization clinics are held at the Health Department in Port Angeles (Clallam County Courthouse lower level) every Wednesday afternoon from 1:00 to 4:00 PM and an evening clinic is held on the second Monday of each month from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Immunizations are offered at the Forks Health Department (140 C Street, Forks) on the third Tuesday of each month from 9:30 AM to Noon and 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM. A parent or legal guardian must accompany a child to the clinic and must bring a complete record of the child's immunizations. Payment is requested on the day of service by cash or by check - Health Department clinics do not accept credit or debit cards. Medical coupons are accepted. We are not able to bill private insurance companies, but will provide you with a claim receipt to submit to your insurance company. All fees for the recommended childhood immunizations may be adjusted according to your income or will be entirely waived upon your request. Please call Clallam County Health and Human Services if you have any questions or would like more information on childhood vaccinations: Main Clinic (Port Angeles): 360.417.2274; Forks Health Department (Forks): 360.374.3121.
Safe Traveling
Traveling back and forth from school can be an anxious time for both you and your school-aged children. Here are some ways to make the journey safer for your child.
- Teach your children – whether walking, biking or riding the bus to school – to obey all traffic signals, signs, and safety patrols.
- All children riding bikes in Port Angeles must wear helmets – it's the law!
- All children and family members must be properly restrained in the vehicle – this includes seat belts and age appropriate car seats. (Call Clallam County Health and Human Services for more information on proper car seat installation at 360.417.2274)
- If your child walks to school, plan out a walking route and review it with your child and make sure your child walks to and from school with others.
- Be sure your child knows how to contact you and how to dial 911 in an emergency.
Backpack Safety
Although a backpack is necessary for most school-aged children, backpacks that are too heavy or worn improperly can cause pain and injuries to you child. Look for a rolling backpack or one with two wide padded straps and always use both shoulder straps. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the child's total body weight so pack light. Make sure your child knows to bend at the knees – not the waist – when wearing or lifting a backpack. And finally, pack heavier items closest to the center of the back, and organize the backpack to use all the compartments.
Rest and Nutrition
Getting enough sleep and eating healthy are very important to your child's performance in school. Although your child may have negotiated a later bedtime during the summer, once school is back in session, it is very important that your child gets the proper amount of rest – school-aged children require at least eight to ten hours of sleep per night.
A good breakfast means your child will have the energy necessary for the school day. Be sure to start your child off with a healthy, nutritious breakfast. Also, be sure your child eats a well balanced diet including at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, at least 6 servings of breads, cereals and other grains (several should be whole grain products), and 2-3 servings of both protein (meat, poultry, fish) and dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt).
Clallam County Health and Human Services wishes every family in the community a safe and healthy school year. For more information on any of the "safe and healthy school" tips listed above, please call 360.417.2274.
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