News from our Nurse--March 2025

March Health Tips from Your School Nurse: Staying Healthy and Safe

As we move into March, the change in seasons often brings both opportunities and challenges for staying healthy. As your school nurse, I want to take a moment to remind you of some important health tips and practices that will keep everyone feeling their best this spring.

1. Spring Allergies: What You Need to Know

With the arrival of spring, many students may begin to experience seasonal allergies. These are often triggered by pollen from trees, grasses, and flowers. Symptoms can include sneezing, runny noses, itchy eyes, and congestion. If your child is prone to allergies, consider:

• Keeping windows closed during high pollen days.
• Encouraging frequent hand washing to remove allergens from the skin.
• Using allergy medications as prescribed or recommended by your healthcare provider.

Remember to talk to your doctor if symptoms seem severe or persistent.

2. Handwashing: Still One of the Best Defenses

Though flu season may be winding down, handwashing remains one of the most effective ways to prevent illness. Teach your children to wash their hands properly (for at least 20 seconds) after using the restroom, before eating, and after coughing or sneezing. This simple practice goes a long way in maintaining a healthy school environment.

3.National Nutrition Month: Nutrition for Strong Muscles

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics eating protein doesn't equal big muscles. Instead, muscle growth is a complex process that relies on adequate consumption of protein and calories, hormones the body produces, including human growth hormone and testosterone, and a healthy dose of physical activity.

Here are a few facts and tips to keep in mind before you amp up your protein in search of a new physique.

Work Builds Muscle

Although eating protein doesn't build muscle on its own, the presence of protein in an athlete's eating pattern is important. Believe it or not, when you exercise, such as lifting weights or running, some of your muscle cells break down. Protein from food helps repair the damage from exercising and builds up more muscle, making them stronger.

Strike a Balance

While protein is important for building new muscles, eating the right amount of protein is key. Consuming more protein than your body needs may translate to excess calories that must be stored, usually in the form of fat. Too little protein consumption means your body has to supply it itself, which can result in muscle breakdown and loss. When you eat a balanced diet that includes enough calories and carbohydrates, your body won't use protein as a calorie source — it will use it to build and repair muscles when needed.   

Yours in Good Health, 

Nurse Lopez