Notes from Nurse Robyn

A topic that often comes up in conversation with both parents/caregivers and teachers, is the concerns many of us have surrounding technology use with school-aged children. Many of the sources I researched do differentiate between the positive impacts of technology being used for educational purposes versus the potentially adverse effects of non-educational technology usage. The specific guidelines for the exact amount of time suggested for kids to be using technology was a bit confusing to pinpoint and contradictory unfortunately. The overarching message though encouraged parents/caregivers to co-view media with children whenever possible to help them understand what they are viewing and apply it to the world around them, to place consistent limits on the amount of non-educational technology children are exposed to based on your own family structure, and to encourage children to participate in physical play and outdoor play whenever possible.

Some of the health risks associated with excessive use of technology includes:

·       Difficulties with sleep (falling asleep, staying asleep, waking rested)

·       Elevated body weight

·       Decreased muscle strength

·       Increased risk for heart disease

·       Poor self-image and body image

·       Difficulties regulating mood and emotions

·       Delayed speech development

·       Addiction to technology

I have included links to the sources I reviewed below. Each article has incredibly helpful information for parents/caregivers to help you in making the safest choices for your child and family.

Links:

Screen Time a Big Time Problem (2015) https://www.nmhealth.org/news/information/2015/8/?view=296

How Much Screen Time is Too Much for Young Children? (1/2/2023) https://momentsnm.org/2024/01/02/how-much-screen-time-is-too-much-for-young-children/

Screen Time and Children (6/2025) https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx

Back to School: How Screen Time Affects Children’s Developing Brains. (8/28/2025) https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/back-to-school-how-screen-time-affects-childrens-developing-brains/

What Does Too Much Screen Time Do to Children’s Brains? (8/24/2023) https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-does-too-much-screen-time-do-to-childrens-brains/

Excessive screen time among youth may pose heart health risks (8/6/2025) https://newsroom.heart.org/news/excessive-screen-time-among-youth-may-pose-heart-health-risks

Screen Time at Home (2019) NM Public Education Department. https://web.ped.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PreK-Screen-Time-2019-web.pdf

Happy New Year San Antonito families!

Cold weather along with the return to school after our much-needed break can bring sniffles, coughs and upset stomachs too. I am often asked about a variety of communicable illnesses and when to keep your student(s) home from school related to illness. Below is a summary of the APS sick day guidelines:

Fever: A temperature above 100.4°F (38°C) is a fever.

Your child may return to school if they have had no fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication (acetaminophen, Tylenol®, ibuprofen, etc.) and if they feel well/are improving.

Vomiting and/or diarrhea with or without a fever; three or more times in six hours.

Your child may return to school if 24 or more hours have passed from the last episode of vomiting/diarrhea, and/or at least 24 hours fever free as above, and symptoms are improving.

·          Respiratory Tract Illnesses: cough/runny nose/other severe cold symptoms.

Your child has symptoms that keep them from participating in school, such as: fatigue, extreme tiredness, persistent cough, sneezing, headache, body aches, earache and/or chills (especially if accompanied by fever), severe sore throat, especially if accompanied by headache/upset stomach.

Unknown/undiagnosed rash or other untreated skin conditions

Eye irritation: Eye drainage, crusting, pain, and/or redness may be a sign of infection and may need to be checked by a provider. Your child may be at school as long as there are no other symptoms that prevent them from participating (fever, pain, etc).

If antibiotic treatment is needed, your child should remain home for the first full 24 hours of medication (e.g., if your child has three doses per day ordered, then three doses must be given before the child returns to school) 

If your student needs to have medication, including cough drops, while they are at school, please contact me so the necessary form and procedure can be followed.

As always, please contact me with any health-related questions, concerns or changes to your student’s health needs while at school.

Wishing all a healthy New Year!

Winter is fast approaching for our East Mountain community! Here are a few winter weather tips to keep our SASM students and families healthy and safe:

·         Temperatures less than 40˚F can cause hypothermia and/or frostbite.

·         Layering clothing and wearing jackets can slow or eliminate the dangerous effects of the cold.

·         Minimizing the amount of skin exposed to the cold air by wearing hats and gloves, will reduce the chance of cold exposure injuries.

·         Some health conditions, like asthma, can be exacerbated by exposure to cold air.

The cold weather does not cause illness however, colds, flus and other respiratory illnesses are more common in colder months because people are indoors more often, allowing viruses to pass more easily from one person to another. (www.hopkinsmedicine.org)

Teaching your students proper hand-washing techniques, when to wash hands and how to cover coughs/sneezes (using your elbow instead of your hand) will also help to slow the spread of illnesses common in the winter and throughout the year.

If your student needs to have medication, including cough drops, while they are at school, please contact me so the necessary form and procedure can be followed.

With warm and healthy wishes,

We have had a great start to the school year!

I have partnered with the Nurses at Roosevelt MS and A Montoya ES in the creation of the 4th ANNUAL EAST MOUNTAIN EXTRAVAGANZA! We are excited to be able to bring a free vaccine clinic to our neighborhood for students, families, and the community! Additionally, we will have health-related information booths, music, food, games, performances and lots of family fun! We hope to see all the SASM families there!

EAST MOUNTAIN EXTRAVAGANZA

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2025

10AM-2PM

ROOSEVELT MIDDLE SCHOOL

 Ms. Michelle and I have also been busy verifying that all SASM students are up-to-date on their state-required vaccinations (or have the proper yearly exemption on file). If you haven’t already done so, please make sure we have your student’s vaccine information as soon as possible. If you have questions about vaccines, please let me know.

During the months of October and November, I will be completing the state-required vision, hearing and dental screenings for all Kindergarteners, 1st graders, 3rd graders, and any other student who is new to San Antonito. If you have any questions about this process or are concerned about the way your child is hearing or seeing, please contact me. I will send home the results of your child’s screening in their backpack or contact you directly with the results. 

ALL medications are to be stored and administered through the health office. Please call Nurse Robyn to discuss the procedure if your child needs any medication while at school. Please know that cough drops contain medication, and therefore cannot be sent to school in your student’s backpack.

Please call the health office with any questions about illness related absences, updates to your student’s health profile (such as new diagnoses, medications, or concerns) or any other health related questions. 

With healthy regards,

Dear Families!

Welcome back to school! We hope you and your family had a fun and healthy summer break.

It’s time for our students to get back to their studies.

These early months of school are also when colds, the flu, and other illnesses spread the most.

Albuquerque Public Schools wants to work with you to help stop these illnesses and reduce missed school days.

Here are some ways you can help your child stay healthy:

● Keep shots up-to-date. Vaccines help protect your child and others from serious Diseases.

● Encourage hand-washing. Washing hands with soap and water before eating and after using the bathroom is a great way to stop germs from spreading.

● Teach good habits. Teach your child to cough or sneeze into their sleeve to help stop germs from spreading.

● Don’t share food or drinks. At lunch, it’s fun to talk to friends, but it’s also easy for germs to spread. Remind your child not to share food, drinks, or eating utensils with others.

● Keep sick children home. If your child is sick or has a fever, keep them home from

school. This helps stop illness from spreading.

● Lice are not a disease, but they can still be annoying. Lice spread when heads touch or by sharing things like hats or brushes. You can check your child’s hair for lice or eggs,and remind them not to share their personal things with others, even friends or siblings.

Parents or guardians can give the school over-the-counter (OTC) medicine for their child to use

during the school day. Only OTC medicines that are approved by the New Mexico Department

of Health (NMDOH) can be given. Please ask the School Nurse for a list of approved medicines.

If the medicine your child needs is not on the list, you'll need an order from your child’s provider.

Albuquerque Public Schools is committed to maintaining a healthy environment for all in our schools. Our rules help keep students safe and healthy.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your child’s health needs, please do not hesitate to contact the health office.

Our weather in the East Mountains is starting to become cooler. With the cooler weather, comes an increased number of illnesses. 

Below are the APS Sick Day Guidelines: 
If your child becomes ill and doesn’t feel well enough to take part in school, as parents or guardians, you should keep your child home until the symptoms improve. This also can help to prevent the spread of the illness to others at school. These are some of the examples of when your child should be kept home:

• Fever: A temperature above 100.4°F (38°C) is a fever.

Your child may return to school if they have had no fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication (acetaminophen, Tylenol®, ibuprofen, etc.) and if they feel well/are improving.

• Vomiting and/or diarrhea with or without a fever; three or more times in six hours.

Your child may return to school if 24 or more hours have passed from the last episode of vomiting/diarrhea, and/or at least 24 hours fever free as above, and symptoms are improving.

• Respiratory Tract Illnesses: cough/runny nose/other severe cold symptoms.
• Your child has symptoms that keep them from participating in school, such as: fatigue, extreme tiredness, persistent cough, sneezing, headache, body aches, earache and/or chills (especially if accompanied by fever), severe sore throat, especially if accompanied by headache/upset stomach.

• Unknown/undiagnosed rash or other untreated skin conditions
• Eye irritation: Eye drainage, crusting, pain, and/or redness may be a sign of infection and may need to be checked by a provider. Your child may be at school as long as there are no other symptoms that prevent them from participating (fever, pain, etc).If antibiotic treatment is needed, your child should remain home for the first full 24 hours of medication (e.g., if your child has three doses per day ordered, then three doses must be given before the child returns to school) 

If your student needs to have medication, including cough drops, while they are at school, please contact me so the necessary form and procedure can be followed.

As always, please contact me with any health-related questions, concerns or changes to your student’s health needs while at school.