• Flu Season and Schools

• Benefits Corner

• Safety Tip!

• Spotlight in Wellness

• Wellness Staff Development Sessions

• Kickboxing

• Salsa Dancing Lessons

• Water Aerobics

• Employee Assistance Program

Holiday Safety

CPSC, AARP ask consumers to pay attention to age labels

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and AARP are working together to make this holiday season a safe one by warning all gift givers about the five toy hazards that can take all the fun out of any celebration. For a list of holiday safety tips from CPSC and AARP log on to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/
prhtml07/07032.html

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

http://www.cpsc.gov/

Kickboxing

Salsa Dancing Lessons

Water Aerobics

Wellness...a way of life!

FAST FLU FACTS

Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm

• Flu symptoms include fever, headache, chills, body aches, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion.
   

• Flu is spread when a person who has the flu coughs, sneezes, or speaks and sends the flu virus into the air. The virus enters the nose, throat or lungs of a person and multiplies. Flu spreads less frequently when a person touches a surface that has flu viruses on it.
   

• If you get the flu: rest, drink plenty of liquids, and avoid alcohol and tobacco.
   

• Antibiotics like penicillin will not cure the flu. The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot. However, in October 2004, the American flu vaccine supply was cut in half. CDC and the U.S.-based influenza vaccine manufacturer have prioritized the populations eligible for the limited supply. Initially, priority populations include: hospital staff, long-term care providers, nursing homes, and private providers who care for young children. Additional priority populations eligible to receive vaccination with inactivated influenza vaccine include all children aged 6-23 months, adults 65 years of age and older, persons aged 2 to 64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions, residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities, all women who will be pregnant during the influenza season, children 6 months to 18 years of age who are on chronic aspirin therapy, health care workers with direct patient care, out-of home caregivers and household contacts of children under 6 months of age.
   

• Over-the-counter medications may relieve symptoms of flu. The National Institute for Allergies & Infectious Diseases recommends acetaminophen (Tylenol) for children; aspirin or acetaminophen for adults. Decongestants, cough suppressants, and use of a humidifier can provide symptomatic relief.
   

• Three antiviral medicines are available by prescription that will help prevent flu infection: Tamiflu, Flumadine and Symmetrel.

http://www.healthinschools.org/sh/influenza.asp

Cafeteria Plan Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Participants in the Flexible Spending Accounts for the 2006 plan year need to be aware that eligible expenses need to be incurred by December 31, 2006 to be considered for reimbursement. Claims for expenses incurred January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006 must be submitted to the District’s FSA Administrator, Wage Works, no later than March 31, 2007. In accordance with the plan guidelines, any balance in the account after March 31, 2007 will be forfeited. For a list of eligible expenses, claim form or other related information log on to www.wageworks.com.

Participants that enrolled in the Cafeteria Plan Medical Expense Reimbursement Account for the 2007 plan year need to be aware of some new Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines for the use of the health debit cards. This change impacts where participants can use the Health Care Choice Card available through Wage Works.

Effective January 1, 2007, the IRS will no longer allow health care debit cards to be used at the following types of merchants: Discounts Stores, Grocery Stores, Supermarkets, Wholesale Clubs, Department Stores, Colleges and Universities. While the card may not be accepted at these locations for the purchase of qualified over-the-counter items and prescriptions, participants may continue using the Pay Me Back paper claim option for filing for reimbursement. The Health Care Choice Card will continue to be accepted at health care providers and authorized pharmacies.
Participants in the Plan can expect additional information in the mail from Wage Works. Additional information is also available at: http://www.wageworks.com/irs.htm.

Visit the MISD Employee Benefits Department web site for up-to-date benefit forms and information.

Mr. Andres Silva is the Director of Employee Benefits/Risk Management

It gives me great pleasure to introduce you to Lydia Gomez. Lydia is the competent secretary for Mrs. Melba Fuentes, and has been participating in the Wellness Program at the Administration Building since last April. She actually began power-walking about one year ago, but it was not until she started weighing-in weekly that she got very serious about modifying her lifestyle in other ways.

Lydia has lost more than twenty seven pounds since April!!! How did she do it?

In addition to power-walking six days a week from 5 - 6am, Lydia began to modify her eating pattern last June, choosing more baked/broiled fish, and more green vegetables. She says she began to select green vegetables rather than potatoes and rice, and never knew how delicious were Brussels sprouts, broccoli, spinach and zucchini. “I really enjoy eating them so much. I just never knew how good they are.” She confidently states, “I am not a diet, I am simply eating the way I should.”

Lydia’s life style changes have had a profound effect upon her family as well. Her children, ages fifteen, twelve and four, now enjoy eating salads and vegetables too. They have lost weight and have more energy—something a parent should be very proud to report considering the serious obesity problem in America’s youth today.

When Lydia talks about her new life style, her face lights up. Her eyes are bright and her smile says, “I am proud of my accomplishments!” She admits she is more self-assured and has more confidence in everything she does. Lydia, you deserve a gigantic pat on the back for what you are modeling for your co-workers, and especially for your children. I am pleased to place you “in the spotlight”. May you and your family enjoy many more years of good health!

Sharon B. Wilkes, RN, MA, CPS, CCS, Coordinator, Prevention Services

Lunch and Learn Sessions

All sessions will take place in the Board Room of the McAllen ISD Administration Office from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm.