The red tier—and reopening—is in sight!
Yesterday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced they anticipate being moved into the red tier by next Wednesday. This means more reopenings, including grades 7-12. We are working closely with the Pasadena Public Health Department on our reopening plans. In the meantime, we ask that everyone does all they can to stay healthy. Thank you for all you’ve done to get us to this point!
One component of keeping our Mayfield community healthy includes vaccinations. Over 95% of our faculty will be completely vaccinated against COVID-19 when we reopen. We strongly encourage everyone to be vaccinated as another measure to keep our community healthy. For information on when you qualify for a vaccine and to schedule an appointment, sign up for L.A. County’s vaccination newsletter. Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers.
In honor of National Women’s History Month, I want to continue celebrating and recognizing the contributions of women to medicine. Clarissa Barton, known as Clara, is one of the most honored women in American history. She became a teacher at the age of 18, founded a school for workers’ children at the age of 24 and later established the first free school. She resigned when she discovered that the school had hired a man at twice her salary, saying she would never work for less than a man. During the Civil War, Barton made it her mission to care for wounded Union soldiers. Since nursing education was not formalized, she provided self-taught nursing care. In 1881, at the age of 59, Barton founded the American Red Cross and led it for the next 23 years.
To continue the discussion on learning to make informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits during National Nutrition Month, here are 7 helpful tips for smarter snacking.
This weekend we “Spring forward,” and lose an hour of sleep. This can be hard for many of us, especially teenagers. Teens typically don’t get enough sleep, so they are starting the weekend already at a sleep deficit. At puberty, brain changes cause the sleep hormone melatonin to be secreted later at night, causing most teens to naturally stay awake later. This makes it really hard for them to “just go to sleep earlier” to make up for the lost hour of sleep. Car accidents, mood disturbances, injuries and cardiac events all increase in the week following the start of daylight saving time. Here are some tips that you can use to help your teenage daughter be healthier and safer next week:
- Discourage later-than-normal nights this weekend.
- Entice waking up within 30 minutes of normal wake-up time on Sunday morning (according to the new clock).
- Plan a Sunday and Monday morning walk outside in the sunlight if possible, or at least draw the curtains and let in the light.
- Have a quick and easy breakfast available all week.
- Give space, grace and de-escalate. They are more likely to be moody.
- Inexperienced and tired drivers should be extra careful and have fewer distractions when they drive.
- Allow 5 days to get back to baseline.
Stay healthy,
Cathy Cota, RN, BSN, PHN
Remember the 3 Ws: wear a face covering, wash your hands, watch your distance
Avoid the 3 Cs: crowds, confined areas, close contact
Practice the 3 Rs: relationships, routines, reassurance
Practice the 3 Rs: relationships, routines, reassurance
Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.
