Pooled Testing:
Remember, pooled testing is only a screening and is NOT intended for sick students or staff. It does not take the place of individual testing for a person with symptoms. If your child has ANY of the symptoms listed below, they should stay home, call the attendance line, and contact the school nurse.
● Temperature 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
● New onset of cough, shortness of breath (if chronic allergic/asthmatic cough - a change from baseline)
● Sore throat Headache (with other symptoms)
● Fatigue (with other symptoms)
● Body or muscle aches
● Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
● Nasal congestion or runny nose (with other symptoms)
● New onset of loss of taste or smell
You may still give consent for your child to be included in pooled testing using this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfiv5E0BikQXmHf1vrh8CYiLmCzR6W1jrx4PdQyhk6stbUd6w/viewform
● New consents received by Thursdays at 5pm will be included in the following week’s pooled testing collection.
● If your child participated in pooled testing, you will be notified individually only if your child was a member in a positive pool. So remember, no news is good news!
● Thank you to those who have already registered your child(ren) on the Project Beacon Portal. Project Beacon is used only if a follow-up test is needed. So if your child is in a positive pool, you will be notified to arrange for the follow-up test using the BinaxNOW rapid antigen test as soon as possible with the school nurse. The follow-up test will result in 15 minutes, and you can access the test result in your Project Beacon account that you created. If you have not created one yet for your child, please register at https: https://app.beacontesting.com/register/with-code?code=LTTLPG
● Individuals who have previously tested positive (on an individual, not pooled, test) in the past 90 days should be excluded from pooled testing. After 90 days, they may be included again in the pools. Please note that guidance on this point will soon be revised from 90 to 180 days after a positive individual test result.
Travel outside of MA:
Anyone considering travel outside of the state, must follow Massachusetts travel orders: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order and inform the school nurse for a safe return to school plan. Upon return to MA, the traveler must quarantine for 10 days or test out of quarantine with a PCR test. Should you opt for the test, please submit the test result to me by email at cporell@littletonps.org
Stop the Spread sites usually produce test results the fastest and the tests are free. There are not many sites left but the closest ones are:
AFC Urgent Care - Stop the Spread
181 Boston Post Rd. West, Marlborough
10:00am-4:00pm Mon-Fri, 9:00am-4:00pm Sat-Sun, Appt required
Marlborough Hospital - New England Sports Center
121 Donald Lynch Blvd, Marlborough
8a-12p Mon-Fri
No appt needed, drive-thru
UMass Memorial - Marlborough Hospital
157 Union St, Marlborough, MA 01752
8:00am-12:00pm Mon-Fri
No appt needed, drive-thru
Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (Methuen site)
147 Pelham St, Methuen
1:00pm-6:00pm Mon-Fri / 9:00am-12:00pm Sat, no appt needed
Lawrence Community COVID-19 Testing Center - Stop the Spread
70 General St,
Lawrence
8:00-4:30 Mon-Sat, 9a-1p Sun, No appt needed, drive-thru
COVID-19 Vaccination
Everyone in Phase 1, and the first 2 groups in Phase 2 (individuals who are ages 65+, and individuals with at least 2 certain medical conditions) are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. If you are eligible, find a test site and the appointment guide here. For more information about the COVID-19 Vaccination Program, please visit https: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccination-program
Starting this week, teachers and school staff are eligible to get vaccinated at select CVS pharmacies! Starting March 11, they will be eligible to make appointments at Mass vaccination sites.
Substitute Nurse Opportunities: Support your community while enjoying parent hours and a short commute. Littleton Public Schools are in need of substitute school nurses. If interested, please contact your school nurse for more information or contact Dorothy Mulone at Central Office for an application - dmulone@littletonps.org
From Nurse Porell
Spring Allergy Season has Sprung
How Can I Prevent an Allergic Reaction to Pollen?
There are actions you can take to reduce allergic reactions to pollen:
Limit your outdoor activities when pollen counts are high. This will lessen the amount of pollen allergen you inhale and reduce your symptoms.
Keep windows closed during pollen season and use central air conditioning with a CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® filter filters attachment. This applies to your home and to any vehicle (car, bus, train, etc.).
Start taking allergy medicine before pollen season begins. Most allergy medicines work best when taken this way. This allows the medicine to prevent your body from releasing histamine and other chemicals that cause your symptoms.
Bathe and shampoo your hair daily before going to bed. This will remove pollen from your hair and skin and keep it off your bedding.
Wash bedding in hot, soapy water once a week.
Wear sunglasses and a hat. This will help keep pollen out of your eyes and off your hair.
Limit close contact with pets that spend a lot of time outdoors.
Change and wash clothes worn during outdoor activities.
Dry your clothes in a clothes dryer, not on an outdoor line.
For more information, go to https://www.aafa.org/pollen-allergy/