Dear Parents,

Finally, summer is here. The weather has finally turned and the days are much warmer. We will be closed July 4th for the observance of Independence Day. For those of you who are traveling for vacations, be safe and have fun.

Please join us July 3rd from 4:00 to 6:00 for our Independence Day celebration BBQ. This is an opportunity to meet other parents and relax, enjoy some good food and have some fun.

For parents who are obtaining immunizations, well-visits with Pediatricians, please be sure to provide a copy to Sunset as this is a requirement for State Licensing to insure children’s records are complete and up-to-date.

REMINDER:
We will be closing at 4:00 p.m. on Friday July 12 for our monthly staff training.
All Summer Campers need to remember to have water bottles, wear appropriate shoes like tennis shoes and sack lunch that doesn’t require heating or refrigeration.

Please apply sunscreen to your children before bringing them to school. During the day, we will reapply sunscreen as needed throughout the day.

Parenting Tip – Summer Safety – Preventable Injuries
Summer has arrived and with that comes the opportunity for all the great fun summer activities such as summer sports (baseball, Frisbee, soccer, water sports, etc.). It is important to ensure safety to have a fun and injury free summer.

Eye Injuries:
When children participate in sports, recreation, crafts or home projects, it is important for them to know eye safety practices and use protective glasses as appropriate. More than 90 percent of all eye injuries can be prevented through use of suitable protective eyewear.

Concussions:
With many sports comes the risk of concussion. A concussion is a type of brain injury that changes the way the brain normally works. It is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Concussions can also occur by a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. Concussions can have a more serious effect on a young, developing brain and need to be addressed correctly. Insuring helmets are worn with playing baseball, skateboarding, bicycling or any other sport where there is risk is imperative to prevent concussions.

Nursemaids Elbow:
Also known as dislocation of the elbow or subluxation is a preventable injury commonly sustained by children. While children may squeal with delight when they are swung around by the arms, this fun activity can dislocate the elbow. The elbow bone (radius) is connected to the elbow joint (humerus) by elastic bands called ligaments. These ligaments grow stronger and tighter as a child grows. In little children and babies, the ligaments are still loose. This makes it easy for the elbow to slip out of place.

Nursemaid’s elbow is common among toddlers and preschoolers. The injury is not often seen in children older than 5 or 6 years of age. That is because as children grow their bones harden and the ligaments get tighter and thicker. This helps keep the elbow firmly in place. Girls are slightly more likely than boys to have nursemaid’s elbow.

Poisoning:
While there are any number of things children can consume that are potentially poisonous, citronella oil is one we don’t commonly think about. With summer, we tend to break out the citronella candles for their insect repelling qualities. Tiki torches around the patio or candles placed on tables are common.
Simply keep these out of children’s reach. During the burning stages, watch children carefully to avoid their picking up a container, if for no other reason than the potential burn factor. But during the day when the items are typically not in use, do not leave them sitting on picnic tables and areas easily accessed by small children.
Keep the number for poison control handy at all times. Stickers are available to attach to your phones. Or simply write the number on note pads that are distributed around the house (1-800- 222-1222).

Additional Resources:

https://www.webmd.com/children/nursemaid-elbow 2017

https://www.aao.org, “Children’s Eye Injuries: Prevention and Care,” March 1, 2016.

https://www.cdc.gov, “Heads Up,” fact sheet for head injury. February 3, 2017.

My office is always open. Feel free to drop in if you have any questions or concerns you would like to address.

Each classroom has provided an update in their classrooms, please click into the individual classrooms to read on this page.

Nina Emmer
Director-Sunset Academy