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Jennifer Blake, RN
School Nurse
847-362-0730 ext.333
Fax 847-362-8130
My background and credentials:
- Associate Degree in Nursing from College of Lake County
- This is my 1st year in School Nursing
- I have been certified in CPR since 2018
- Member of the National School Nurse Association (NSNA) and Illinois School Nurse Association (ISNA)
Thank you for visiting this page. My name is Jennifer Blake and this is my first year at St. Joseph Catholic School (SJCS). I grew up Libertyville and attended the public school system. After graduating from Libertyville High School, I attended the College of Lake County where I earned my nursing degree. I started my career at Chicago Behavioral Hospital in Des Plaines, and now I am excited to start my career in School Nursing. I enjoy continuing my education, and I am currently attending Illinois State University for my Bachelors in Nursing.
I live in Libertyville with my son Kenny, and parents Patrick and Kathy. I enjoy cooking, reading, exercising and spending time with my family.
Please be sure to periodically check back or subscribe to my page for health updates and information throughout the school year. My door is always open so please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Thank you and I look forward to working with your children this upcoming school year.
Kindly,
Ms. Blake, RN
Posts
How Much Sleep Do Students Need?
- Infants 4 months to 12 months old: 12 to 16 hours (including naps)
- Children 1 to 2 years old: 11 to 14 hours (including naps)
- Children 3 to 5 years old: 10 to 13 hours (including naps)
- Children 6 to 12 years old: 9 to 12 hours
- Teens 13 to 18 years old: 8 to 10 hours
- Model healthy habits and promote a bedtime and rise routine.
- Dim lighting, (adolescents who are exposed to more light from (such as room lightening or from electronics) are less likely to get enough sleep.
- Implement a media curfew and ban all electronics from the bedroom 1-2 hours before bedtime.
The Nurse's Office Kindly Accepts Donations
Illness on the Rise
- sore throat that comes on quickly and is especially painful when swallowing.
- fever
- red and swollen tonsil with white patches or streak on them
- painful or swollen neck glands
- headache
- stomach pain
- nausea and vomiting
- loss of appetite
- rash
- Wash the sick person's dishes, utensils, and drinking cups in hot soapy water or run through the dishwasher for sanitation.
- Avoid sharing food, drinks, napkins, towels, etc. with the sick person.
- Frequent handwashing using warm water and soap. Lather for 20 seconds, rinse and dry well.
- Change out the infected persons toothbrush after they have been on their antibiotic for 24 hours.
- Cover all sneezes and coughs. Use tissues and avoid sticking fingers in the nose or mouth.
- Stay home from school, work, sports when not feeling well to avoid spreading germs.
- A fever of 100 degrees F or higher.
- Signs they are tired or weak- common with the flu
- Diarrhea- having 1 or more episodes in a 24 hour period
- Vomiting-having 1 or more episodes in a 24 hour period
- Coughing that disrupts normal activity
- Wheezing, shortness of breath or any severe breathing difficulties
- Earache, headache, or sore throat lasting longer than 12 hours
- Yellow, green discharge from the eye(s)
- A new rash- Can return to school once it has been diagnosed as non infectious.
- Recent injury, surgery, dental procedure that impedes daily activities.
- Overall not feeling well or anything that will make it difficult to participate in the school day.
- Any contagious disease such as strep, pink eye, flu, etc. or anything requiring an antibiotic. They may return after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment and improvement of symptoms.
Increase in Pink Eye Cases
Increase in Pink Eye in Pre K- 2nd Grade
We are seeing an increase of Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) in our lower grades, especially Preschool.
Pink Eye is often highly contagious. It can be caused by a viruses, bacteria, allergens, or irritants. Symptoms include the following:
- Redness or swelling
- Watery eyes
- A gritty feeling
- Itchiness, irritation, or burning
- Discharge
- Crusting of the eyelids or eyelashes
- Symptoms that get worse or don’t improve
- Eye pain or sensitivity to light
If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, please keep them home from school and consult with their doctor. If an antibiotic is prescribed, they cannot return to school until they have been on the medicine for 24 hours and symptoms have improved.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping to keep our students healthy.
Kindly,
Mrs. Wegener
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/conjunctivitis.html
Reminder: Health History Form due tomorrow!
To be completed by a parent/guardian for each child attending SJCS for the 2023-24 academic school year, no matter what grade
As with each new school year, it is necessary to update your child’s health information as things may have changed over the past year. This information will inform the school nurse of your child’s health history, any current/long-term medications being taken, any life-threatening allergy/condition(s), and/or any general medical concern(s).
This information is confidential, and will remain so, unless of a medical emergency occurring on school premises. Please complete THIS STUDENT HEALTH HISTORY FORM for each of your SJCS students by Friday, June 30th. This link will not be posted on the school website.

*Health Reminders for '23-'24 (eblast copy)

Yearly Health History Form is Due on 8/19
If you haven't done so already, please complete and submit your student(s) yearly health history.
Previously communicated
Yearly Health History Forms
As with each new school year, we need a health history form completed for every student attending SJCS for the 2022-23 academic school year. The information provided will inform the school nurse of your child’s health history, any current/long-term medications being taken by your child, any life-threatening allergy/condition(s), and/or any medical concern(s).
This information is confidential and only the school nurse and administration will have access to it. Please complete THIS STUDENT HEALTH HISTORY FORM for each SJCS student in your family by August 19th.
Thank you,
Mrs. Wegener
Sports Physical Reminder 5th-8th Grade
- Sports physicals are required every year for all athletes in grades 5, 7, and 8. A complete physical is required for all students in 6th grade.
- Physicals are due to the school office before the athlete can practice. Please email, upload or drop off to the school office completed physicals before the first day of practice.
- All physicals must be in the school office before a student will be allowed to practice to avoid exclusion.
- Please ensure that the entire form is filled out and completed by all required parties.

School Nurse is Back to School
March is National Nutrition Month
- Encourage them to pack or help you pack their lunch. If they have a role in putting it together, they are more likely to eat it.
- Plan lunches menus around special days. For example, pack all green veggies or fruit sides, or make a rainbow fruit salad for St. Patrick's Day.
- Bring your child to the grocery store to pick out some new fruits or vegetables. This will encourage an interest in trying new foods and may be helpful for picky eaters.
- Pack a salad with lots of veggies and see how many different colors that you can add- fruit is a tasty addition to salads.
- Fruit salad with the colors of the rainbow and add a few mini marshmallows for fun.
- Add peas, broccoli, or carrots to mac and cheese
- Minestrone soup/Vegetable Soup
- Use mini whole grain pitas, tortillas, crackers, English Muffins instead of bread.
- whole grain cereal
- soup
- mac and cheese
- cheese and crackers
- whole grain English Muffin pizza
- pasta
- A quality insulated lunch bag in a fun print and insulated food container will enable your child to take a wider variety of food options. Also, remember to use an ice pack to keep cold foods cold if your child's lunch box/bag is not insulated to prevent food poisoning.
- Bento boxes Best Bento Boxes 2022