Nurse

GENERAL ILLNESS GUIDELINES:

• If your student has had vomiting and/or diarrhea, they need to stay home for 24 hours from the last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhea.

• If your student has had a fever of 100 degrees or higher, they need to be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine before they may return to school.

• Please test for COVID if they have any COVID-19 symptoms.

• Current COVID guidelines issued by MA DPH

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL DENTAL HYGIENE MONTH

Practice the "Daily Four" for Good Oral Hygiene:

1. Brush Twice a Day x 2 minutes: Brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque and bacteria from the teeth and gums.

2. Floss Daily: Removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth and below the gumline, areas that a toothbrush can’t reach.

3. Rinse with Mouthwash: Using an antimicrobial or fluoride mouthwash can help kill bacteria, reduce plaque, and strengthen tooth enamel. Rinsing after meals or before bed adds extra protection against gum disease and tooth decay.

4. Chew Sugar-Free Gum: Chewing sugar-free gum after meals stimulates saliva production, which neutralizes acids in the mouth and washes away food particles. It’s an easy way to maintain oral hygiene throughout the day.

Say Boo to the Flu!
MA Department of Public Health recommends the flu and Covid vaccines to protect against severe illness and hospitalizations this coming winter season. Please see their recommendations for respiratory virus immunizations for each age group, pregnancy, and those who are immunocompromised.

Holiday Assistance Programs: 

  Applications for Beacon Santa and Littleton Parks & Rec Holiday Helpers have been mailed to eligible families. Completed applications must be mailed to both organizations.

BEACON SANTA DEADLINE: OCTOBER 31

HOLIDAY HELPERS DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 13

GENERAL ILLNESS GUIDELINES:

• If your student has had vomiting and/or diarrhea, they need to stay home for 24 hours from the last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhea.

• If your student has had a fever of 100 degrees or higher, they need to be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine before they may return to school.

• Please test for COVID if they have any COVID-19 symptoms.

• Current COVID guidelines issued by MA DPH

Flu and Covid Clinic is coming to Littleton again to The Senior Center on 10/14!
See the flyer in this Friday newsletter for more information.
MA Department of Public Health recommends the flu and Covid vaccines to protect against severe illness and hospitalizations this coming winter season. Please see their recommendations for respiratory virus immunizations for each age group, pregnancy, and those who are immunocompromised.

Holiday Assistance Programs: 

Beacon Santa applications were mailed this week to eligible families. The completed application with a letter must be mailed to Beacon Santa by October 31st.

Applications for Parks & Rec Holiday Helpers will be available soon. Both organizations help struggling families during the holidays.

GENERAL ILLNESS GUIDELINES:

● If your student has had vomiting and/or diarrhea, they need to stay home for 24 hours

from the last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhea.

● If your student has had a fever of 100 degrees or higher, they need to be fever free for

24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine before they may return to school.

● Please test for COVID if they have any COVID-19 symptoms.

● Current COVID guidelines issued by MA DPH

September is Asthma Peak Month:

September can be a challenging month as several asthma triggers tend to happen at the same

time - ragweed pollen, mold, and respiratory illnesses.

What You Can Do! You can consult with your PCP or allergist for an Asthma Action Plan to help

manage your asthma symptoms. View the Allergy & Asthma Network for more information,

including how to stay healthy during Asthma Peak Month and tips on managing asthma.

E-Bike Safety: Ride Smart, Stay Safe

E-bikes are becoming more popular with students to enjoy the outdoors, visit friends, or get to

school. Because e-bikes are heavier and travel faster, it is important for riders to understand

how to use them safely, including wearing a helmet, going slow and in control, following the

rules of the road, and staying visible at night. Please take a few minutes to review this E-Bikes

in MA flyer with your student.

Holiday Assistance Programs:

Applications will be available soon from Beacon Santa and Park & Rec Holiday

Helpers. Both organizations help struggling families during the holidays. If you are interested

and would like an application or information, please contact the school nurse.

GENERAL ILLNESS GUIDELINES:

● If your student has had vomiting and/or diarrhea, they need to stay home for 24 hours

from the last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhea.

● If your student has had a fever of 100 degrees or higher, they need to be fever free for

24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine before they may return to school.

● Please test for COVID if they have any COVID-19 symptoms.

● Current COVID guidelines issued by MA DPH

September is Asthma Peak Month:

September can be a challenging month as several asthma triggers tend to happen at the same

time - ragweed pollen, mold, and respiratory illnesses.

What You Can Do! You can consult with your PCP or allergist for an Asthma Action Plan to help

manage your asthma symptoms. View the Allergy & Asthma Network for more information,

including how to stay healthy during Asthma Peak Month and tips on managing asthma.

E-Bike Safety: Ride Smart, Stay Safe

E-bikes are becoming more popular with students to enjoy the outdoors, visit friends, or get to

school. Because e-bikes are heavier and travel faster, it is important for riders to understand

how to use them safely, including wearing a helmet, going slow and in control, following the

rules of the road, and staying visible at night. Please take a few minutes to review this E-Bikes

in MA flyer with your student.

Holiday Assistance Programs:

Applications will be available soon from Beacon Santa and Park & Rec Holiday

Helpers. Both organizations help struggling families during the holidays. If you are interested

and would like an application or information, please contact the school nurse.

GENERAL ILLNESS GUIDELINES:

If your student has had vomiting and/or diarrhea, they need to stay home for 24 hours from the last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhea.

If your student has had a fever of 100 degrees or higher, they need to be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine before they may return to school.

Please test for COVID if they have any COVID-19 symptoms.

Current COVID guidelines issued by MA DPH

September is Asthma Peak Month:

September can be a challenging month as several asthma triggers tend to happen at the same time - ragweed pollen, mold, and respiratory illnesses.

What You Can Do! You can consult with your PCP or allergist for an Asthma Action Plan to help manage your asthma symptoms. View the Allergy & Asthma Network for more information, including how to stay healthy during Asthma Peak Month and tips on managing asthma.

Students Entering Grade 7:

Please forward a physical examination dated within 12 months to me. Updated physicals are required every three years (grades 1, 4, 7, and 10), or sooner if participating in a school team sport.

Holiday Assistance Programs:

Applications will be available soon from Beacon Santa and Park & Rec Holiday Helpers. Both organizations help struggling families during the holidays. If you are interested and would like an application or information, please contact the school nurse.

Yearly Mandated School Health Screenings: As required by MA DPH, I will be conducting

health screenings (see details below) to students at Littleton Middle School. I will begin the

screenings in October and ongoing throughout the year. The screenings are not diagnostic.

They are intended to identify students who may need further evaluation. Parents/guardians will

be notified by the school nurse if their child does not pass the screening and a referral for further

evaluation is necessary. If you would like your child to opt out of a health screening(s), please

notify me in writing to ccaley@littletonps.org

Vision: Required for 7th Grade. If you have already submitted your child’s current physical

exam that shows that they passed vision screening, then I will not be conducting their vision

screening at school.

Hearing: Required for 7th Grade. If you have already submitted your child’s current

physical exam that shows that they passed hearing screening, then I will not be conducting

their hearing screening at school.

Scoliosis: Required for 6th, 7th and 8th Grade. If you have already submitted your child’s

current physical exam that shows the scoliosis screening has been completed, then I will

not be conducting their scoliosis screening at school.

Heights and Weights: Required for 7th Grade. The child’s height and weight are taken and

calculated to find the body mass index (BMI). Results are reported to DPH confidentially. If

you have already submitted your child’s current physical exam that shows height and

weight, then I will not be conducting their heights and weights at school.

SBIRT: Required for 7th Grade - will not be done until Spring time, please look for

additional information regarding this

Medications: If your student needs to have medication at school, (e.g. EpiPen, inhaler, or OTC

medication) please drop it off to the school nurse with a current doctor's order. Parent

permission forms are available on the LPS Health Service website.

Students Entering Grade 7: Please forward a physical examination dated within 12 months to

me. Updated physicals are required every three years (grades 1, 4, 7, and 10), or sooner if

participating in a school team sport.

Preventing Head Lice at School: September is Head Lice Prevention Month! Please continue

to check your child’s hair and scalp regularly as there have been multiple cases of head lice

reported since the start of school. Regular checks at home can help detect lice early, making

treatment easier and reducing the spread to others.

I hope your child had a great first week of school!

Medications: If your student needs to have a medication at school, (e.g. EpiPen, inhaler, or

OTC medication) please drop it off to the school nurse with a current doctor's order. Parent

permission forms are available on the LPS Health Service website.

Health Information for the Bus Driver:

For privacy reasons, the school nurse cannot share student health information with outside

providers, including school bus transportation. Parents/guardians should notify Dee Bus Service

of any serious medical conditions, such as life-threatening allergies, asthma, diabetes, or

seizures. Please give a note to your child’s bus driver or call Dee Bus at 978-425-4706.

Students Entering Grade 7:

Please forward a physical examination dated within 12 months to me. Updated physicals are

required every three years (grades 1, 4, 7, and 10), or sooner if participating in a school team

sport.

Clothing Donations Needed for the Health Office:

The Health Office is looking for donations of gently used or new clothing for students who may

need a change of clothes during the school day. We especially need T-shirts and athletic shorts

in both boys/girls middle school sizes..

Thank you for helping us keep our students comfortable and prepared!

Preventing Head Lice at School:

Summertime is fun but it can also be a time when head lice tend to be more prevalent due to the

warmer months, attending summer camps, and traveling. As we get ready for the new year,

please take a few minutes to carefully check your child's head for lice and nits.

Regular head checks at home can help detect lice early, making treatment easier and reducing

the spread to others.

Feeling Sick? Know When to Stay Home

LPS General Illness Guidelines - Click Here

Flu, Covid, RSV: Recommendations to Prevent the Spread of Respiratory Illness