Dear Families and Students,          

As we enter the warmer months, we would like to remind everyone that tick season is upon us. Ticks are commonly found in grassy, wooded, and brushy areas, and they can carry illnesses such as Lyme disease. Taking a few simple precautions can help keep everyone safe. 

How to Prevent Tick Bites:

• Wear light-colored clothing to help spot ticks more easily
• Wear long sleeves, long pants, and tuck pants into socks when in wooded or grassy areas
• Use an insect repellent that contains DEET or permethrin (as appropriate)
• Stay on clear paths and avoid tall grass when possible

After Being Outdoors:

• Check your body, clothing, and pets for ticks as soon as you come inside
• Pay close attention to areas such as behind the knees, underarms, around the ears, scalp, and waistband
• Showering soon after being outdoors may help remove unattached ticks

If You Find a Tick:

• Remove it promptly using fine-tipped tweezers
• Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure
• Clean the area with soap and water after removal

Please monitor for any signs of illness after a tick bite, such as rash, fever, or flu-like symptoms, and contact your healthcare provider if you have concerns.

We encourage students to report to the school nurse if they find a tick during the school day or feel unwell.

Thank you for your attention to this important health reminder.

Sincerely,
Nichole Russell RN, MSN