PEA RIDGE — First, I need to make a correction in my previous note to you regarding the “shot news.” Regarding the upcoming T-dap clinic April 26 for the sixth graders, I wrote that students who already had a Tetanus shot may only need a Pertussis injection. Pertussis is not a single injection. It only comes in a combined injection vaccine. So, if it has been over two years since your student has had a tetanus shot, they will be required to have a Tdap.

Clear as mud? Just give a call to the nurse on campus and we will answer any questions you may have.

I apologize for the confusion.

Spring has sprung, though a bit chilly here lately, and we have a little over two months of school left. These are extremely important months as we start to close our year with our last quarter, Benchmark testing and final exams. The teachers have much to pack into their lessons in these final weeks.

We can all work together to provide the best learning experience as possible at a most important time.

This time of year can get a bit hurried as our calendar of events expands with ballgames, extracurricular activities and just plain “spring fever.”

Now more than ever, we can try to help our children “learn at their best” by giving them what they need to achieve their goals. Number one on this list is rest.

Young children still need nine to 11 hours of sleep per night. Sleep deprivation over a period of time will affect the immune system, concentration and over all well being for anyone.

Many children can manage on eight hours, but less than that for very long will affect them over time.

Next on the roll is nutrition. A good breakfast, whether at home or school is important. It’s a long time between supper last night and lunch today without anything in between to feed the body. Startingoff the day with a lowered blood sugar will end with headache, queasiness and muddle in the thought processes. If you are on a rushed schedule in the morning, try to have a breakfast plan the night before and food items ready to go as you hit the front door in the morning. Better yet, set the alarm for 10 to 15 minutes earlier during testing days to make sure everyone has a chance to feed their tummies. Provide snacks with protein for those days on the run after school, too! Boost the body with nutrients instead of empty calories like chips and soda. Milk, juice, cheese and fruits are good alternatives. Help your children form good eating habits now. Watch the power drinks, some are loaded with sugar. Become a label reader to see if you are getting a good nutritivevalue.

Exercise is always essential, too! Not every student is involved in sports or particularly likes athletics.

But getting some kind of activity, preferably outside when the weather is nice, is to their advantage.

Kids need sunshine for vitamin D, and many are lacking with the advent of advanced electronics.

You get my drift, I’m sure.

Anyone over the age of 50 knows that when we were children, if it was warm outside, we were outside playing. Usually we weren’t allowed inside until suppertime. Ha. Ha.

Make it a family affair and go for a leisurely walk after dinner. It’s a good way to play catch up with your children during a busy day.

We make the time to do the things we really want to do in our lives. We may need to ponder, on whether we are including the above three thoughts on our “things” list. They are the very foundations for our well-being. Valerie Colburn, RN, Pea Ridge Schools.

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Editor’s note: Val Colburn is a registered nurse and serves as the school nurse at Pea Ridge Intermediate School. She can be contacted at 451-1555. Nurse Nancy Brandt serves at Pea Ridge Middle School and can be reached at 451-0620 or [email protected].

School, Pages 8 on 04/06/2011