Reminders about COVID:
·If you need testing for COVID, please ask for a PCR test even though results can take up to 48 hours to receive. Per the board of health, rapid antigen tests are less sensitive tests and would need a PCR test to confirm them, regardless if it is a positive or negative result. To find a COVID test site:
· contact your PCP
· Emerson Urgent Care 978-287-8990
· Circle Health Urgent Care Westford 978-323-0302
go to: https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-testing
· There are also Stop The Spread tests sites in certain towns that provide free PCR COVID testing to all MA residents, even if you do not have any symptoms.
·If you travel to a “red” state, please make sure that all family members get a PCR COVID test upon returning, even for children under 10. Per our local board of health, if children under 10 do not get tested, they must quarantine at home for 14 days.
·The vast majority of COVID-19 clusters in MA are associated with households. If someone in your household has COVID-like symptoms, please take precautions even when in the home including:
· have the symptomatic individual get tested and self-isolate immediately in the home whenever feasible
· everyone should wear masks within shared spaces in the household
· wash hands frequently
· avoid sharing utensils
· regularly clean and disinfect surfaces
Flu vaccines due by December 31, 2020!
The seasonal flu vaccine is required by the state for all students by December 31, 2020, regardless of which learning plan they are participating in. Please make an appointment with their PCP, at Urgent Care Centers, or at CVS MinuteClinic for the flu shot. Local pharmacies such as CVS (ages 3+) and Walgreens (ages 4+) can also provide flu shots. Please request documentation of the flu shot and submit it to the school nurse. Should you need a medical or religious exemption form, please reach out to the school nurse.
Several Student Emergency Health Information Sheets are still missing!
The school nurse needs one for every student regardless of whether your child is in the hybrid or fully remote plan. Kindly print this sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y_arkSz-Zuc4Xxt1g6xw3H9bQ3694SHD/view?usp=sharing and send the completed form to the school nurse.
Family-friendly Help with Mental Health for Children ages 6-12
HandholdMA.org is a family-friendly website designed for Massachusetts parents who are worried about their school-aged children’s mental health. This site is designed to help families figure if their child’s behavior is something to worry about and if so, what next steps can they take. Is available in five other languages: Spanish, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Haitian Creole, and Vietnamese.