Nurse Update

June 13, 2025
RETURN OF EPI-PEN AND INHALER MEDICATIONS: 💊💉⚕️

• All inhalers will be put in your student’s backpack on the last day of school. If your student is leaving before the last day, you must inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

• If your student has an Epi-pen or other prescription medications:

Preschool - I will return all medication in your student’s backpack on Monday.

Grades K, T, and 1 - I will contact parents by email to arrange the return of student medication(s). 

Grade 2 - **update** I will put your student's medication in their backpack before the Clap Off Parade. 

• Feel free to contact me at mphilpot@littletonps.org if you want to make other arrangements for the return of medications.

• During the summer, please remember to get a new doctor’s order and any

allergy/asthma/seizure action plans for the new school year in August. New blank parent permission forms for 2025-2026 will be included with the returned Epi-pens and inhalers.

Summer Safety: Summer is around the corner! 🌞

Please see this link for safety tips including:

• Sun safety: limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest. Wear a hat and use sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 30. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply it every two hours if children are outside for more than an hour, and more often if they are playing in water.

• water safety

• preventing dehydration

• avoiding poison ivy

• tick removal

• playground and bike safety.

Measles and Traveling:

If you are planning to travel this summer, it is recommended to be protected from measles through vaccination. Cases of measles have been on the rise in certain parts of the world, as well as in some areas nationally. Per the CDC, as of June 5, 2025, a total of 1,168 confirmed measles cases were reported by 34 jurisdictions: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

If you travel, you should  watch for signs and symptoms of measles for 3 weeks after return, especially if you are not vaccinated. Individuals developing fever and rash during this period should call their healthcare provider and tell them about the recent travel and symptoms so the provider can arrange to evaluate the patient without exposing others.

What are the signs and symptoms of measles?

The illness typically starts with a fever and generally feeling unwell before the actual onset of the rash. A clinical case of measles is defined as an illness characterized by these typical symptoms:

• Generalized rash lasting 3 or more days

• Temperature of 101°F or higher (38.3°C or higher)

• Cough 

• Runny nose 

• Conjunctivitis (red, watery eyes)

What should I do if I suspect that someone has measles?

Measles is highly contagious. A person with measles is infectious up to 4 days before through 4 days after the day of rash onset. Patients with suspected measles should be isolated immediately.  Contact a physician for further guidance as soon as possible.

For more information, please see this link and https://www.mass.gov/info-details/measles.

HAVE A WONDERFUL AND HEALTHY  SUMMER!! ⛱️ 😎

June 6, 2025
RETURN OF EPI-PEN AND INHALER MEDICATIONS: 💊💉⚕️

• All inhalers will be put in your student’s backpack on the last day of school. If your student is leaving before the last day, you must inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

• If your student has an Epi-pen or other prescription medications:

Preschool - I will return all medication in your student’s backpack on the last day of school.

Grades K, T, and 1 - I will contact parents by email to arrange the return of student medication(s). Please make sure to check your email next week.

Grade 2 - Please stop by my office either before or after the Clap Off Parade to pick up medication(s). 

• Feel free to contact me at mphilpot@littletonps.org if you want to make other arrangements for the return of medications.

• During the summer, please remember to get a new doctor’s order and any

allergy/asthma/seizure action plans for the new school year in August. New blank parent permission forms for 2025-2026 will be included with the returned Epi-pens and inhalers.

SNACKS - WATER BOTTLE – SNEAKERS -  It’s warming up outside!
Please remember to send your child with a healthy snack and a water bottle daily. It's important that children stay hydrated and nourished during a busy school day.
Check to be sure your child is dressed properly for outdoor activities (PE class, recess, field day, etc.)

• Dress in layers- the weather changes quickly 

• Sneakers, not crocs, are safer for running and physical activity 

• Sunscreen and bug spray (to keep the ticks and mosquitos away)

Kindergarten families:
Students entering 1st grade this fall are required to submit a physical to school next year.  Please feel free to send it now if it is dated January 2025 or later. Thank you!

GENERAL ILLNESS GUIDELINES:

• Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face. Strep throat is going around and some illnesses are trying to make a come back like the flu!

• 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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

May 30, 2025
I would like to say many thanks to the families who donated clothes to the health office.  We appreciate you! 🙏

SNACKS - WATER BOTTLE – SNEAKERS -  It’s warming up outside!
Please remember to send your child with a healthy snack and a water bottle daily. It's important that children stay hydrated and nourished during a busy school day.
Check to be sure your child is dressed properly for outdoor activities (PE class, recess, field day, etc.)

• Dress in layers- the weather changes quickly 

• Sneakers, not crocs, are safer for running and physical activity 

• Sunscreen and bug spray (to keep the ticks and mosquitos away)

Kindergarten families:
Students entering 1st grade this fall are required to submit a physical to school next year.  Please feel free to send it now if it is dated January 2025 or later. Thank you!

GENERAL ILLNESS GUIDELINES:

• Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face. Strep throat is going around and some illnesses are trying to make a come back like the flu!

• 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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

April- May is the peak time for Spring Allergies!

If you know your student suffers from seasonal allergies, please be sure they

take their allergy medication DAILY before going to school.

GENERAL ILLNESS GUIDELINES:

• Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face. Some illnesses are trying to make a come back like the flu!

• 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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

April- May is the peak time for Spring Allergies!

If you know your student suffers from seasonal allergies, please be sure they

take their allergy medication DAILY before going to school.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

School Physicals available for students who do not have a primary care doctor (see dates and locations below):

Community Health Connections, our region's primary federally qualified community health center, has added well child clinics in June due to the popularity of their August and September clinics.  Additional details, as well as downloadable flyers in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, can be found here: https://chcfhc.org/Pediatrics

April- May is the peak time for Spring Allergies!

If you know your student suffers from seasonal allergies, please be sure they

take their allergy medication DAILY before going to school.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

LOAVES & FISHES PANTRY Upcoming Events:

Postal Workers' Food Drive: May 10, 2025

Our biggest food drive of the year! Just leave a bag of non-perishable items by your mailbox for your postal worker to pick up, or drop off your donations at your local post office!

For more information, visit https://loavesfishespantry.org/.

Tips for staying safe while cycling:

Wear a helmet: A properly fitted helmet is crucial for head protection. 

Be visible: Wear bright colors and use reflectors and lights, especially at night. 

Follow traffic laws: Obey traffic signals, signs, and lane markings. 

Check your bike: Ensure your bike is in good working condition before each ride. 

Stay alert: Pay attention to your surroundings and avoid distractions. 

Tips for Motorists:

Pass bicyclists on the road with care; allow at least three feet clearance. 

Look for cyclists before opening a car door or pulling out from a parking space.

Yield to bicyclists at intersections and as directed by signs and signals.

Look for bicyclists before making turns, either left or right.

Respect designated bicycle lanes; don’t use them for parking, passing or turning.

Never drive distracted or impaired. Always buckle up.

Watch this YouTube bike safety video with your kids.

For videos and fact sheets regarding proper helmets, visibility and bike safety, please visit NHTSA bike safety.

Pedestrian Safety is also important.

To stay safe as a pedestrian:

Prioritize using sidewalks when available.

Be visible to drivers by wearing bright clothing and reflective materials

and always be aware of your surroundings.

Use designated crosswalks and cross at corners, looking left, right, and left again before proceeding. 

Avoid distractions like cell phones and head phones, as they can impair your ability to react safely. 

Please watch this with your family for more details on walking safely:

YouTube video on walking safely

Spring Allergy Season is HERE!

If you know your student suffers from seasonal allergies, please be sure they

take their allergy medication DAILY before going to school.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

LOAVES & FISHES PANTRY Upcoming Events:

Spring Into Action 5K Fun Run/Walk is this Sunday!

May 4, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Walk, run, have some fun while raising money for Loaves & Fishes!

Postal Workers' Food Drive: May 10, 2025

Our biggest food drive of the year! Leave your bags full of non-perishable food for your local postal worker on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

For more information, visit https://loavesfishespantry.org/.

April 18, 2025

Happy April Vacation!!!!!

Please enjoy a safe and fun week off.

Don’t forget:

 bug spray - prevents mosquito and tick bites

 sunscreen

 bike and scooter helmets

 stay hydrated

 stay healthy- WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN!!

Spring Into Wellness! 

Wellness Committee Event for students and families of all ages:

The Wellness Committee is excited to announce our first-ever Spring Into Wellness Event

Join us on Tuesday, April 29th from 6-7pm at Littleton Middle School for relaxing activities such as: 

• yoga

•  art 

• guided mindfulness 

• painting flowers for the town center 

• spice tasting with Food Service Director Leah Botko 

• a dance party with glow sticks

• a guest appearance from our very own support dog Archie!!!

Students of all grades are invited to bring their parent/guardian and enjoy these activities together. Healthy snacks and fruit-infused water will be available. 

Wear your comfy clothes and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.

Please email the LPS Wellness Community with any questions! 

lbotko@littletonps.org or ncroteau@littletonps.org 

Brought to you by the LPS Wellness Committee

www.littletonps.org/community-resources/wellness-committee

LOAVES & FISHES PANTRY Upcoming Events:

Spring Into Action 5K Fun Run/Walk

May 4, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Walk, run, have some fun while raising money for Loaves & Fishes!

Postal Workers' Food Drive: May 10, 2025

Our biggest food drive of the year! Leave your bags full of non-perishable food for your local postal worker on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

For more information, visit https://loavesfishespantry.org/.

Spring Into Wellness! 

Wellness Committee Event for students and families of all ages:

The Wellness Committee is excited to announce our first-ever Spring Into Wellness Event

Join us on Tuesday, April 29th from 6-7pm at Littleton Middle School for relaxing activities such as: yoga, art, guided mindfulness, painting flowers for the town center, spice tasting with Food Service Director Leah Botko, a dance party with glow sticks, a guest appearance from our very own support dog Archie!!!

Students of all grades are invited to bring their parent/guardian and enjoy these activities together. Healthy snacks and fruit-infused water will be available. 

Wear your comfy clothes and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.

Please email the LPS Wellness Community with any questions! 

lbotko@littletonps.org or ncroteau@littletonps.org 

Brought to you by the LPS Wellness Committee

www.littletonps.org/community-resources/wellness-committee

Spring Allergy Season has Sprung!

• Start taking allergy medicine before pollen season begins for it to work best. 

• If your child needs to take any allergy medication while in school, please have the physician write an order and make arrangements to drop off medication.

Here are great tips from Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America:

•  Keep windows closed during pollen season and use central air conditioning with a certified asthma & allergy friendly filter attachment. 

• Shower daily before going to bed. 

• Wash bedding once a week.  

• Limit close contact with pets that spend a lot of time outdoors.

• Change and wash clothes worn during outdoor activities.
  For more information, please visit https://www.aafa.org/pollen-allergy/.

Winter illnesses are still around - coughs/colds, GI illness, and strep throat.
Protect yourself and family by:

• WASHING/SANITIZING YOUR HANDS OFTEN (washing with soap and water is preferred)

• Stay home if you’re sick

• Cover coughs and sneezes

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

Watch for Ticks! 

• Check for ticks from head to toe after being outdoors and remove promptly. Check carefully because spring ticks can be as small as a sesame seed.

• Use insect repellent that contains DEET, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus except on children under 3 y.o.

• If a tick was attached for 36 hours or more, consult a doctor about risk for tick-borne diseases.

• Know common symptoms of Lyme disease which include fever, headache, fatigue, and a bulls-eye rash.

Click here for more information on Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses. 

Spring Allergy Season has Sprung!

• Start taking allergy medicine before pollen season begins for it to work best. 

• If your child needs to take any allergy medication while in school, please have the physician write an order and make arrangements to drop off medication.

Here are great tips from Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America:

•  Keep windows closed during pollen season and use central air conditioning with a certified asthma & allergy friendly filter attachment. 

• Shower daily before going to bed. 

• Wash bedding once a week.  

• Limit close contact with pets that spend a lot of time outdoors.

• Change and wash clothes worn during outdoor activities.
  For more information, please visit https://www.aafa.org/pollen-allergy/.

Winter illnesses are still around - coughs/colds, GI illness, and strep throat.
Protect yourself and family by:

• WASHING/SANITIZING YOUR HANDS OFTEN (washing with soap and water is preferred)

• Stay home if you’re sick

• Cover coughs and sneezes

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

Spring Allergy Season has Sprung!

• Start taking allergy medicine before pollen season begins for it to work best. This allows the medicine to prevent your body from releasing histamine and other chemicals that cause your symptoms.

• If your child needs to take any allergy medication while in school, please have the physician write an order and make arrangements to drop off medication.

Here are great tips from Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America:

•  Keep windows closed during pollen season and use central air conditioning with a certified asthma & allergy friendly filter attachment. 

• Shower 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.  

• 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, please visit https://www.aafa.org/pollen-allergy/.

Winter illnesses are still around - coughs/colds, GI illness, and strep throat.
Protect yourself and family by:

• WASHING/SANITIZING YOUR HANDS OFTEN (washing with soap and water is preferred)

• Stay home if you’re sick

• Cover coughs and sneezes

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

Spring Allergy Season has Sprung!

• With Spring and the accompanying seasonal allergies quickly approaching, consider starting allergy medication now to lessen the severity of symptoms once they begin.

• If your child needs to take any allergy medication while in school, please have the physician write an order and make arrangements to drop off medication.

Here are great tips from Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America:

• Start taking allergy medicine before pollen season begins for it to work best. This allows the medicine to prevent your body from releasing histamine and other chemicals that cause your symptoms. 

•  Keep windows closed during pollen season and use central air conditioning with a certified asthma & allergy friendly filter attachment. 

• Shower 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.  

• 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, please visit https://www.aafa.org/pollen-allergy/.

Winter illnesses are still around - coughs/colds, GI illness, and strep throat.
Protect yourself and family by:

• WASHING/SANITIZING YOUR HANDS OFTEN (washing with soap and water is preferred)

• Stay home if you’re sick

• Cover coughs and sneezes

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

National Poison Prevention Week (March 16-22)

More than 90% of all poisoning happens at home. Familiarize yourself with the dangers that lurk there. For more information on how to protect your family, please visit National Safety Council.

Be sure to keep the National Poison Control Center number, (800) 222-1222, in your cell phone contacts.

March 14, 2025
It feels like Spring is in the air but all of the winter illnesses are still around- coughs/colds, GI illness, and strep throat.
Protect yourself and family by:

• WASHING/SANITIZING YOUR HANDS OFTEN (washing with soap and water is preferred)

• Stay home if you’re sick

• Cover coughs and sneezes

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

Ongoing Measles Outbreak:

A clinical advisory from the MA Department of Health issued on March 11, 2025 announced that as of December 31, 2024, there were 285 measles cases reported for 2024 by 33 jurisdictions including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Texas, New York City and New York State. Cases were seen primarily in young people (42% of cases under five years of age  and 31% age 5-19 years). Almost 90% of cases were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination history. About 40% of cases were hospitalized for isolation or

management of measles complications. Massachusetts had a single case in an adult with unknown vaccination history who had known close contact to a confirmed measles case during international travel. 

Vaccination is the best protection against measles. Contact your physician if you are uncertain of your vaccination status. If you travel in the US to an area with an ongoing outbreak (e.g. TX, NM, OK) or travel internationally, you should  watch for signs and symptoms of measles for 3 weeks after return, especially if you are not vaccinated. Individuals developing fever and rash during this period should call their healthcare provider and tell them about the recent travel and symptoms so the provider can arrange to evaluate the patient without exposing others.

What are the signs and symptoms of measles?

The illness typically starts with a fever and generally feeling unwell before the actual onset of the rash. A clinical case of measles is defined as an illness characterized by these typical symptoms:

• Generalized rash lasting 3 or more days

• Temperature of 101°F or higher (38.3°C or higher)

• Cough 

• Runny nose 

• Conjunctivitis (red, watery eyes)

What should I do if I suspect that someone has measles?

Measles is highly contagious. A person with measles is infectious up to 4 days before through 4 days after the day of rash onset. Patients with suspected measles should be isolated immediately.  Contact a physician for further guidance as soon as possible.

For a copy of the entire clinical advisory please see this link.

For more information on measles please visit this CDC website.

The Stomach Bug is still circulating!! 

Body fluid can be lost quickly with sudden vomiting and diarrhea caused by the stomach bug. Focus on drinking fluids (including pedialyte, clear broths, and diluted gatorade) to prevent dehydration. To help stop the spread, it is important to stay home until 24 hours have passed from the last episode of vomiting and diarrhea. Norovirus is highly contagious and hand sanitizer is INEFFECTIVE against norovirus. It is important to regularly wash hands with soap and water. Please see this link from the CDC for more information about how to treat and prevent a norovirus infection. 

The Flu: 

Good news! The current severity rating for influenza in MA has been downgraded from High to a MODERATE level, with Flu A identified as the most common strain. It is recommended to get vaccinated because it helps decrease the severity of illness from the flu. There is still time to get the flu vaccine as well as the COVID vaccine at local pharmacies and doctor’s offices. Why wait? Vaccinate!
If sick with the flu or other respiratory illnesses, it is important to stay home when sick, cover coughs and sneezes, and wash/sanitize hands often.
Protect yourself and others by following core prevention strategies to prevent spread of respiratory germs. Review CDC vaccination recommendations and consult your healthcare provider about your vaccination status, especially for the flu, Covid, and TdaP vaccines.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

LOAVES & FISHES PANTRY Upcoming Events:

Soup for the Soul

March 10, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Come warm your soul this winter with hot, fresh soup from community restaurants! Join us as we transform the Pantry into a cozy bistro for a night of gratitude, as we thank the community for all of the many ways you support the mission of Loaves & Fishes.

Spring Into Action 5K Fun Run/Walk

May 4, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Walk, run, have some fun while raising money for Loaves & Fishes!

Postal Workers' Food Drive: May 10, 2025

Our biggest food drive of the year! Leave your bags full of non-perishable food for your local postal worker on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

For more information, visit https://loavesfishespantry.org/.

Norovirus (the stomach bug):

The stomach bug is still circulating! Body fluid can be lost quickly with sudden vomiting and diarrhea caused by the stomach bug. Focus on drinking fluids (including pedialyte, clear broths, and diluted gatorade) to prevent dehydration. To help stop the spread, it is important to stay home until 24 hours have passed from the last episode of vomiting and diarrhea. Norovirus is highly contagious and hand sanitizer is INEFFECTIVE against norovirus. It is important to regularly wash hands with soap and water. Please see this link from the CDC for more information about how to treat and prevent a norovirus infection. 

Recommendations from CDC:   

• Protect yourself and others by following core prevention strategies to prevent spread of respiratory germs. Review CDC vaccination recommendations and consult your healthcare provider about your vaccination status, especially for the flu, Covid, and TdaP vaccines.

• Seek medical care if you or your child has persistent or worsening symptoms of possible M. pneumoniae infection, such as wheezing or difficulty breathing, especially if you or they might be at higher risk of developing severe disease.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

LOAVES & FISHES PANTRY Upcoming Events:

Soup for the Soul

March 10, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Come warm your soul this winter with hot, fresh soup from community restaurants! Join us as we transform the Pantry into a cozy bistro for a night of gratitude, as we thank the community for all of the many ways you support the mission of Loaves & Fishes.

Spring Into Action 5K Fun Run/Walk

May 4, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Walk, run, have some fun while raising money for Loaves & Fishes!

Postal Workers' Food Drive: May 10, 2025

Our biggest food drive of the year! Leave your bags full of non-perishable food for your local postal worker on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

For more information, visit https://loavesfishespantry.org/.

The Flu:
The current estimated severity rating for influenza in MA is VERY HIGH with Flu A being the most common strain seen.  Some parents are also reporting that their child is testing positive for both strep throat and flu. 
Respiratory illnesses and stomach bug cases are still circulating!! It is important to stay home when sick, cover coughs and sneezes, and wash or sanitize hands often (remember hand sanitizer is NOT effective against the Norovirus).
Norovirus (the stomach bug):

Norovirus infection is characterized by sudden vomiting and diarrhea. It is important to drink fluids to prevent dehydration and to stay home until 24 hours have passed from the last episode of vomiting and diarrhea. One of the best way to prevent spread is to regularly wash hands with soap and water as hand sanitizer is NOT effective for the Norovirus. Please see this link from the CDC for more information about how to treat and prevent a norovirus infection. 

Advisories from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

In recent weeks, clinicians in MA have noted that they are treating higher than usual numbers of pneumonia cases. 

Pneumonia Key Details: M. pneumoniae (a.k.a. walking pneumonia) is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, especially in children. Learn about M. pneumoniae symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, and a slowly worsening cough. Contact your PCP for guidance if you have concerns for these symptoms. 

Recommendations from CDC:   

• Protect yourself and others by following core prevention strategies to prevent spread of respiratory germs. Review CDC vaccination recommendations and consult your healthcare provider about your vaccination status, especially for the flu, Covid, and TdaP vaccines.

• Seek medical care if you or your child has persistent or worsening symptoms of possible M. pneumoniae infection, such as wheezing or difficulty breathing, especially if you or they might be at higher risk of developing severe disease.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

Norovirus (the stomach bug):

Norovirus infection is characterized by sudden vomiting and diarrhea. It is important to drink fluids to prevent dehydration and to stay home until 24 hours have passed from the last episode of vomiting and diarrhea. One of the best way to prevent spread is to regularly wash hands with soap and water as hand sanitizer is NOT effective for the Norovirus. Please see this link from the CDC for more information about how to treat and prevent a norovirus infection. 

Advisories from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

In recent weeks, clinicians in MA have noted that they are treating higher than usual numbers of pneumonia cases. 

Pneumonia Key Details: M. pneumoniae (a.k.a. walking pneumonia) is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, especially in children. Learn about M. pneumoniae symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, and a slowly worsening cough. Contact your PCP for guidance if you have concerns for these symptoms. 

Recommendations from CDC:   

• Protect yourself and others by following core prevention strategies to prevent spread of respiratory germs. Review CDC vaccination recommendations and consult your healthcare provider about your vaccination status, especially for the flu, Covid, and TdaP vaccines.

• Seek medical care if you or your child has persistent or worsening symptoms of possible M. pneumoniae infection, such as wheezing or difficulty breathing, especially if you or they might be at higher risk of developing severe disease.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

Norovirus is still circulating:

Norovirus infection, or stomach bug, is characterized by sudden vomiting and diarrhea. It is important to drink fluids to prevent dehydration and to stay home until 24 hours have passed from the last episode of vomiting and diarrhea. Norovirus is highly contagious and hand sanitizer is INEFFECTIVE against norovirus. It is important to regularly wash hands with soap and water. Please see this link from the CDC for more information about how to treat and prevent a norovirus infection. 

Advisories from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

The most recent weekly update for the severity of influenza in MA is rated as moderate and identifies the most common strain as Flu A. This is also a common cause of acute respiratory illnesses here in school. Health care providers have also noted that they are treating higher than usual numbers of pneumonia cases. Please see this dashboard to track hospital visits in MA related to acute respiratory diseases, including flu, Covid, and RSV.

Pneumonia Key Details: M. pneumoniae (a.k.a. walking pneumonia) is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, especially in children. Learn about M. pneumoniae symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, and a slowly worsening cough. Contact your PCP for guidance if you have concerns for these symptoms. 

Recommendations from CDC:   

• Protect yourself and others by following core prevention strategies to prevent spread of M. pneumoniae, flu, Covid, and other respiratory germs.

• Seek medical care if you or your child has persistent or worsening symptoms of possible M. pneumoniae infection, such as wheezing or difficulty breathing, especially if you or they might be at higher risk of developing severe disease.

Review CDC vaccination recommendations and consult your healthcare provider about your vaccination status, especially for the flu, Covid, and TdaP vaccines.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

Norovirus is still circulating:

Norovirus infection, or stomach bug, is characterized by sudden vomiting and diarrhea. It is important to drink fluids to prevent dehydration and to stay home until 24 hours have passed from the last episode of vomiting and diarrhea. Norovirus is highly contagious and hand sanitizer is INEFFECTIVE against norovirus. It is important to regularly wash hands with soap and water. Please see this link from the CDC for more information about how to treat and prevent a norovirus infection. 

Advisories from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

The most recent weekly update for the severity of influenza in MA is rated as moderate and identifies the most common strain as Flu A. This is also a common cause of acute respiratory illnesses here in school. Health care providers have also noted that they are treating higher than usual numbers of pneumonia cases. Please see this dashboard to track hospital visits in MA related to acute respiratory diseases, including flu, Covid, and RSV.

Pneumonia Key Details: M. pneumoniae (a.k.a. walking pneumonia) is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, especially in children. Learn about M. pneumoniae symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, and a slowly worsening cough. Contact your PCP for guidance if you have concerns for these symptoms. 

Recommendations from CDC:   

• Protect yourself and others by following core prevention strategies to prevent spread of M. pneumoniae, flu, Covid, and other respiratory germs.

• Seek medical care if you or your child has persistent or worsening symptoms of possible M. pneumoniae infection, such as wheezing or difficulty breathing, especially if you or they might be at higher risk of developing severe disease.

Review CDC vaccination recommendations and consult your healthcare provider about your vaccination status, especially for the flu, Covid, and TdaP vaccines.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

Norovirus is on the Rise:

Stomach bug cases are continuing to surge in parts of the U.S. A norovirus infection is characterized by sudden vomiting and diarrhea. It is important to drink fluids to prevent dehydration and to stay home until 24 hours have passed from the last episode of vomiting and diarrhea. Norovirus is highly contagious and hand sanitizer is INEFFECTIVE against norovirus. It is important to regularly wash hands with soap and water. Please see this link from the CDC for more information about how to treat and prevent a norovirus infection. 

Advisories from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

In recent weeks, clinicians in MA have noted that they are treating higher than usual numbers of pneumonia cases, particularly among school-aged children and young adults. 

Pneumonia Key Details: M. pneumoniae (a.k.a. walking pneumonia) is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, especially in children. Learn about M. pneumoniae symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, and a slowly worsening cough. Contact your PCP for guidance if you have concerns for these symptoms.
Cold weather can also mean more respiratory illnesses circulating, like influenza, Covid, and RSV. Please see this dashboard to track hospital visits in MA related to these acute respiratory diseases.

Recommendations from CDC:   

• Protect yourself and others by following core prevention strategies to prevent spread of M. pneumoniae, flu, Covid, and other respiratory germs.

• Seek medical care if you or your child has persistent or worsening symptoms of possible M. pneumoniae infection, such as wheezing or difficulty breathing, especially if you or they might be at higher risk of developing severe disease.

Review CDC vaccination recommendations and consult your healthcare provider about your vaccination status, especially for the flu, Covid, and TdaP vaccines.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

January 3, 2025

Happy New Year!🎉 I hope that everyone had a great holiday break and was able to relax some and recharge.

Norovirus is on the rise:

Stomach bug cases are starting to surge in parts of the U.S. The most common time for outbreaks occurs from November to April. A norovirus infection is characterized by sudden vomiting and diarrhea. It is important to drink fluids to prevent dehydration and to stay home until 24 hours have passed from the last episode of vomiting and diarrhea. Please see this link from the CDC for more information about how to treat and prevent a norovirus infection. 

Advisories from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

In recent weeks, clinicians in MA have noted that they are treating higher than usual numbers of pneumonia cases, particularly among school-aged children and young adults. 

Pneumonia Key Details: M. pneumoniae (a.k.a. walking pneumonia) is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, especially in children. Learn about M. pneumoniae symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, and a slowly worsening cough. Contact your PCP for guidance if you have concerns for these symptoms.
Cold weather can also mean more respiratory illnesses circulating, like influenza, Covid, and RSV. Please see this dashboard to track hospital visits in MA related to these acute respiratory diseases.

Recommendations from CDC:   

• Protect yourself and others by following core prevention strategies to prevent spread of M. pneumoniae, flu, Covid, and other respiratory germs.

• Seek medical care if you or your child has persistent or worsening symptoms of possible M. pneumoniae infection, such as wheezing or difficulty breathing, especially if you or they might be at higher risk of developing severe disease.

Review CDC vaccination recommendations and consult your healthcare provider about your vaccination status, especially for the flu, Covid, and TdaP vaccines.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

Don’t Hesitate, Vaccinate!
Get the 2024 seasonal COVID and Flu vaccines at any pharmacy now to be prepared and protected before the winter peak hits.

Free COVID Tests - All U.S. households are now able to order 4 free COVID tests at COVIDTests.gov. Get yours now!

Many COVID tests have extended expiration dates. To find out if your test has an extended expiration date, check here. 

Free COVID Tests - All U.S. households are now able to order 4 free COVID tests at COVIDTests.gov. Get yours now!
Many COVID tests have extended expiration dates. To find out if your test has an extended expiration date, check here.

Advisories from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

• Cold weather and respiratory illness can trigger asthma symptoms- please follow the link MDPH info on alternatives to discontinued inhalers for more details.

• The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has observed a significant rise in cases of respiratory illnesses including pneumonia and whooping cough (pertussis) across the Commonwealth. In recent weeks, clinicians in MA have noted that they are treating higher than usual numbers of pneumonia cases, particularly among school-aged children and young adults.
  Pneumonia Key Details: M. pneumoniae (a.k.a. walking pneumonia) is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, especially in children, and can cause community outbreaks. Symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia often include persistent cough, fever, and fatigue, though symptoms are often mild, and patients do not require hospitalization. Contact your PCP for guidance if you have concerns for these symptoms.
  Pertussis Key Details: Pertussis, also known as "whooping cough," is a highly contagious and vaccine preventable respiratory illness caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis illness begins with mild upper respiratory tract symptoms and can progress to severe episodes of cough, often with a characteristic respiratory whoop, which may be followed by vomiting. Although children can be exhausted after paroxysms, they usually appear relatively well between episodes. The cough is often worse at night and the fever is usually absent or minimal. Contact your PCP for guidance with any of these symptoms.

Recommendations from CDC:

• Learn about M. pneumoniae symptoms such as fever, headache, and a slowly worsening cough. Stay aware of who might be at higher risk of severe disease, including people with asthma or reactive airway disease.

•  Learn about CDC pertussis symptoms.

•  Protect yourself and others by following core prevention strategies to prevent spread of M. pneumoniae, flu, Covid, and other respiratory germs.

• Seek medical care if you or your child has persistent or worsening symptoms of possible M. pneumoniae infection, such as wheezing or difficulty breathing, especially if you or they might be at higher risk of developing severe disease.

• Review CDC vaccination recommendations and consult your healthcare provider about your vaccination status, especially for the flu, Covid, and TdaP vaccines.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

Don’t Hesitate, Vaccinate!
Get the 2024 seasonal COVID and Flu vaccines at any pharmacy now to be prepared and protected before the winter peak hits.

Free COVID Tests - All U.S. households are now able to order 4 free COVID tests at COVIDTests.gov. Get yours now!

Many COVID tests have extended expiration dates. To find out if your test has an extended expiration date, check here. 

Free COVID Tests - All U.S. households are now able to order 4 free COVID tests at COVIDTests.gov. Get yours now!
Many COVID tests have extended expiration dates. To find out if your test has an extended expiration date, check here.

Advisories from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

• Cold weather and respiratory illness can trigger asthma symptoms- please follow the link MDPH info on alternatives to discontinued inhalers for more details.

• The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has observed a significant rise in cases of respiratory illnesses including pneumonia and whooping cough (pertussis) across the Commonwealth. In recent weeks, clinicians in MA have noted that they are treating higher than usual numbers of pneumonia cases, particularly among school-aged children and young adults.
  Pneumonia Key Details: M. pneumoniae (a.k.a. walking pneumonia) is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, especially in children, and can cause community outbreaks. Symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia often include persistent cough, fever, and fatigue, though symptoms are often mild, and patients do not require hospitalization. Contact your PCP for guidance if you have concerns for these symptoms.
  Pertussis Key Details: Pertussis, also known as "whooping cough," is a highly contagious and vaccine preventable respiratory illness caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis illness begins with mild upper respiratory tract symptoms and can progress to severe episodes of cough, often with a characteristic respiratory whoop, which may be followed by vomiting. Although children can be exhausted after paroxysms, they usually appear relatively well between episodes. The cough is often worse at night and the fever is usually absent or minimal. Contact your PCP for guidance with any of these symptoms.

Recommendations from CDC:

• Learn about M. pneumoniae symptoms such as fever, headache, and a slowly worsening cough. Stay aware of who might be at higher risk of severe disease, including people with asthma or reactive airway disease.

•  Learn about CDC pertussis symptoms.

•  Protect yourself and others by following core prevention strategies to prevent spread of M. pneumoniae, flu, Covid, and other respiratory germs.

• Seek medical care if you or your child has persistent or worsening symptoms of possible M. pneumoniae infection, such as wheezing or difficulty breathing, especially if you or they might be at higher risk of developing severe disease.

• Review CDC vaccination recommendations and consult your healthcare provider about your vaccination status, especially for the flu, Covid, and TdaP vaccines.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 5TH, 2024: FLU and COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic In AYER
Time: 3 PM-5 PM in the Ayer Library Reading Room.  Additional details:

• The vendor for this clinic is CDR Health, a partner of MDPH.

• Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. 

• All Massachusetts residents aged 6 months and older are eligible. 

• No insurance or ID required (parental consent is required for minors). 

• If you have a photo ID or insurance card, please bring them, but they are not mandatory. 

• There will be $75 gift cards available at time of vaccination to ages 12+ (ages 12-under 18 need to have an adult present to receive a gift card). Max of 100, first come first served.

You can also get the 2024 seasonal COVID and Flu vaccines at any pharmacy.

Free COVID Tests - All U.S. households are now able to order 4 free COVID tests at COVIDTests.gov. Get yours now!
Many COVID tests have extended expiration dates. To find out if your test has an extended expiration date, check here.

Nashoba Associated Boards of Health Quarterly Newsletter available now:
Please check out https://www.nashoba.org/news-events for info on everything from safe cooking tips for the holidays to how to tell the difference between a cold, flu, Covid and RSV.
Advisories from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

• Cold weather and respiratory illness can trigger asthma symptoms- please follow the link MDPH info on alternatives to discontinued inhalers for more details.

• The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has observed a significant rise in cases of respiratory illnesses including pneumonia and whooping cough (pertussis) across the Commonwealth. In recent weeks, clinicians in MA have noted that they are treating higher than usual numbers of pneumonia cases, particularly among school-aged children and young adults.
  Pneumonia Key Details: M. pneumoniae (a.k.a. walking pneumonia) is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, especially in children, and can cause community outbreaks. Symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia often include persistent cough, fever, and fatigue, though symptoms are often mild, and patients do not require hospitalization. Contact your PCP for guidance if you have concerns for these symptoms.
  Pertussis Key Details: Pertussis, also known as "whooping cough," is a highly contagious and vaccine preventable respiratory illness caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis illness begins with mild upper respiratory tract symptoms and can progress to severe episodes of cough, often with a characteristic respiratory whoop, which may be followed by vomiting. Although children can be exhausted after paroxysms, they usually appear relatively well between episodes. The cough is often worse at night and the fever is usually absent or minimal. Contact your PCP for guidance with any of these symptoms.

Recommendations from CDC:

• Learn about M. pneumoniae symptoms such as fever, headache, and a slowly worsening cough. Stay aware of who might be at higher risk of severe disease, including people with asthma or reactive airway disease.

•  Learn about CDC pertussis symptoms.

•  Protect yourself and others by following core prevention strategies to prevent spread of M. pneumoniae, flu, Covid, and other respiratory germs.

• Seek medical care if you or your child has persistent or worsening symptoms of possible M. pneumoniae infection, such as wheezing or difficulty breathing, especially if you or they might be at higher risk of developing severe disease.

• Review CDC vaccination recommendations and consult your healthcare provider about your vaccination status, especially for the flu, Covid, and TdaP vaccines.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

SAVE THE DATE: FLU and COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic In AYER
Thursday December 5th , 2024, from 3 PM-5 PM in the Ayer Library Reading Room.  Additional details:

• The vendor for this clinic is CDR Health, a partner of MDPH.

• Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. 

• All Massachusetts residents aged 6 months and older are eligible. 

• No insurance or ID required (parental consent is required for minors). 

• If you have a photo ID or insurance card, please bring them, but they are not mandatory. 

• There will be $75 gift cards available at time of vaccination to ages 12+ (ages 12-under 18 need to have an adult present to receive a gift card). Max of 100, first come first served.

Don’t Hesitate, Vaccinate!
Get the 2024 seasonal COVID and Flu vaccines at any pharmacy now to be prepared and protected before the winter peak hits.

Free COVID Tests - All U.S. households are now able to order 4 free COVID tests at COVIDTests.gov. Get yours now!
Many COVID tests have extended expiration dates. To find out if your test has an extended expiration date, check here.

Nashoba Associated Boards of Health Quarterly Newsletter available now:
Please check out https://www.nashoba.org/news-events for info on everything from safe cooking tips for the holidays to how to tell the difference between a cold, flu, Covid and RSV.
Advisories from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

• Cold weather and respiratory illness can trigger asthma symptoms- please follow the link MDPH info on alternatives to discontinued inhalers for more details.

• The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has observed a significant rise in cases of respiratory illnesses including pneumonia and whooping cough (pertussis) across the Commonwealth. In recent weeks, clinicians in MA have noted that they are treating higher than usual numbers of pneumonia cases, particularly among school-aged children and young adults.
  Pneumonia Key Details: M. pneumoniae (a.k.a. walking pneumonia) is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, especially in children, and can cause community outbreaks. Symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia often include persistent cough, fever, and fatigue, though symptoms are often mild, and patients do not require hospitalization. Contact your PCP for guidance if you have concerns for these symptoms.
  Pertussis Key Details: Pertussis, also known as "whooping cough," is a highly contagious and vaccine preventable respiratory illness caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis illness begins with mild upper respiratory tract symptoms and can progress to severe episodes of cough, often with a characteristic respiratory whoop, which may be followed by vomiting. Although children can be exhausted after paroxysms, they usually appear relatively well between episodes. The cough is often worse at night and the fever is usually absent or minimal. Contact your PCP for guidance with any of these symptoms.

Recommendations from CDC:

• Learn about M. pneumoniae symptoms such as fever, headache, and a slowly worsening cough. Stay aware of who might be at higher risk of severe disease, including people with asthma or reactive airway disease.

•  Learn about CDC pertussis symptoms.

•  Protect yourself and others by following core prevention strategies to prevent spread of M. pneumoniae, flu, Covid, and other respiratory germs.

• Seek medical care if you or your child has persistent or worsening symptoms of possible M. pneumoniae infection, such as wheezing or difficulty breathing, especially if you or they might be at higher risk of developing severe disease.

• Review CDC vaccination recommendations and consult your healthcare provider about your vaccination status, especially for the flu, Covid, and TdaP vaccines.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

November 15, 2024
Advisories from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

• Cold weather and respiratory illness can trigger asthma symptoms- please follow the link MDPH info on alternatives to discontinued inhalers for more details.

• The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has observed a significant rise in cases of respiratory illnesses including pneumonia and whooping cough (pertussis) across the Commonwealth. In recent weeks, clinicians in MA have noted that they are treating higher than usual numbers of pneumonia cases, particularly among school-aged children and young adults.
  Pneumonia Key Details: M. pneumoniae (a.k.a. walking pneumonia) is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, especially in children, and can cause community outbreaks. Symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia often include persistent cough, fever, and fatigue, though symptoms are often mild, and patients do not require hospitalization. Contact your PCP for guidance if you have concerns for these symptoms.
  Pertussis Key Details: Pertussis, also known as "whooping cough," is a highly contagious and vaccine preventable respiratory illness caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis illness begins with mild upper respiratory tract symptoms and can progress to severe episodes of cough, often with a characteristic respiratory whoop, which may be followed by vomiting. Although children can be exhausted after paroxysms, they usually appear relatively well between episodes. The cough is often worse at night and the fever is usually absent or minimal. Contact your PCP for guidance with any of these symptoms.

Recommendations from CDC:

• Learn about M. pneumoniae symptoms such as fever, headache, and a slowly worsening cough. Stay aware of who might be at higher risk of severe disease, including people with asthma or reactive airway disease.

•  Learn about CDC pertussis symptoms.

•  Protect yourself and others by following core prevention strategies to prevent spread of M. pneumoniae, flu, Covid, and other respiratory germs.

• Seek medical care if you or your child has persistent or worsening symptoms of possible M. pneumoniae infection, such as wheezing or difficulty breathing, especially if you or they might be at higher risk of developing severe disease.

• Review CDC vaccination recommendations and consult your healthcare provider about your vaccination status, especially for the flu, Covid, and TdaP vaccines.

PREPARE for WINTER COLDS and FLU:
Free COVID Tests - All U.S. households are now able to order 4 free COVID tests at COVIDTests.gov. Get yours now!
Many COVID tests have extended expiration dates. To find out if your test has an extended expiration date, check here.

Don’t Hesitate, Vaccinate!
Get the 2024 seasonal COVID and Flu vaccines at any pharmacy now to be prepared and protected before the winter peak hits.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

From the Wellness Committee:

We will be holding the meetings in the HS seminar room as we always have but the day has been changed to Wednesdays and the time has been adjusted to 5-6:00 pm. If you are not able to make these dates and would like the opportunity to call in or be at the meeting virtually, please let us know and we will accommodate with a Google Meet or phone call option. We will be sending messages through the parent newsletters on Friday about upcoming meetings, but if you know of others interested in joining our committee, we would love to see them at future meetings. For more information on the Wellness Committee and numerous helpful resources for families and the community, please visit their website.

Meeting dates for this year:

Nov 20

December - no meeting

Jan 29

Feb 26

March 26

April 30 - administrative meeting

November 8, 2024
Do You Need Help with Your Holiday Dinners?
If you are a resident of Ayer, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, or Shirley please visit Loaves & Fishes if you need help!
Just join the drive-thru line at 234 Barnum Road in Devens to receive a holiday dinner with all the fixings! 

Thanksgiving Dinner Distribution – November 25 from 9 am-1 pm and 5 pm- 7 pm.
Holiday Dinner Distribution – December 18 from 9 am - 1 pm and 5 pm to 7 pm.
If you have any questions, please contact Loaves & Fishes Client Counseling Team:
978-772-4627 x 312  |  clientassist@loavesfishespantry.org

Holiday Assistance Programs:
HOLIDAY HELPER DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 12th. These applications have been mailed to eligible families. Please read the cover letter and follow the instructions before submitting it.

PREPARE for WINTER COLDS and FLU:
Free COVID Tests - All U.S. households are now able to order 4 free COVID tests at COVIDTests.gov. Get yours now!
Many COVID tests have extended expiration dates. To find out if your test has an extended expiration date, check here.

Don’t Hesitate, Vaccinate!
Get the 2024 seasonal COVID and Flu vaccines at any pharmacy now to be prepared and protected before the winter peak hits.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

From the Wellness Committee:

We will be holding the meetings in the HS seminar room as we always have but the day has been changed to Wednesdays and the time has been adjusted to 5-6:00 pm. If you are not able to make these dates and would like the opportunity to call in or be at the meeting virtually, please let us know and we will accommodate with a Google Meet or phone call option. We will be sending messages through the parent newsletters on Friday about upcoming meetings, but if you know of others interested in joining our committee, we would love to see them at future meetings. For more information on the Wellness Committee and numerous helpful resources for families and the community, please visit their website.

Meeting dates for this year:

Nov 20

December - no meeting

Jan 29

Feb 26

March 26

April 30 - administrative meeting

Holiday Assistance Programs: Deadline is approaching!!
If you are interested in the program but did not receive an application, please contact the school nurse. HOLIDAY HELPER DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 12.

COVID Update:
Free COVID Tests - All U.S. households are now able to order 4 free COVID tests at COVIDTests.gov. Get yours now!
Many COVID tests have extended expiration dates. To find out if your test has an extended expiration date, check here.

Don’t Hesitate, Vaccinate! 

Get the 2024 seasonal COVID and Flu vaccines now at any pharmacy to be prepared and protected before the winter peak hits.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

From the Wellness Committee:

We will be holding the meetings in the HS seminar room as we always have but the day has been changed to Wednesdays and the time has been adjusted to 5-6:00 pm. If you are not able to make these dates and would like the opportunity to call in or be at the meeting virtually, please let us know and we will accommodate with a Google Meet or phone call option. We will be sending messages through the parent newsletters on Friday about upcoming meetings, but if you know of others interested in joining our committee, we would love to see them at future meetings. For more information on the Wellness Committee and numerous helpful resources for families and the community, please visit their website.

Meeting dates for this year:

Oct 30

Nov 20

December - no meeting

Jan 29

Feb 26

March 26

April 30 - administrative meeting

COVID Update:
Free COVID Tests - All U.S. households are now able to order 4 free COVID tests at COVIDTests.gov. Get yours now!
Many COVID tests have extended expiration dates. To find out if your test has an extended expiration date, check here.

Don’t Hesitate, Vaccinate! 

Get the 2024 seasonal COVID and Flu vaccines at any pharmacy now to be prepared and protected before the winter peak hits.

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.

• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.

• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

Holiday Assistance Programs:
BEACON SANTA DEADLINE: OCTOBER 31st.
HOLIDAY HELPER DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 12th. These applications have been mailed to eligible families. Please read the cover letters for each one and follow the instructions before submitting it.

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH
The Mass.Gov website offers a list of Olweus Bullying Prevention Sites throughout the state of Massachusetts. These are organizations that have undergone a multi-level bullying prevention program designed to prevent/reduce bullying in schools. 

Another good resource is stopbullying.gov. This website contains a myriad of resources related to bullying, including how to prevent bullying, building a safe environment, supporting the kids involved, bystanders for bullying, building resilience, and child engagement. There are even videos to help children understand bullying here.

An additional section of this website highlights Tips for Parents of middle school students. Middle school is when bullying occurs the most frequently. This resource contains important and useful information related to warning signs for bullying or cyberbullying, how to learn about your child’s school policies, and what to do if your child is being bullied, is bullying others, or is witnessing bullying.

From the Wellness Committee:

We will be holding the meetings in the HS seminar room as we always have but the day has been changed to Wednesdays and the time has been adjusted to 5-6:00 pm. If you are not able to make these dates and would like the opportunity to call in or be at the meeting virtually, please let us know and we will accommodate with a Google Meet or phone call option. We will be sending messages through the parent newsletters on Friday about upcoming meetings, but if you know of others interested in joining our committee, we would love to see them at future meetings. For more information on the Wellness Committee and numerous helpful resources for families and the community, please visit their website.

Meeting dates for this year:

Oct 30

Nov 20

December - no meeting

Jan 29

Feb 26

March 26

April 30 - administrative meeting

UPCOMING EVENT:

Book Talk with Seng Ty:

Date - Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Time - 6:00 pm

Location - Littleton High School Auditorium, 56 King Street, Littleton, MA

Information - Seng Ty is the author of The Years of Zero - Coming of Age Under the Khmer Rouge. This is the first book written from the point of view of a young boy native to Cambodia who survived his country’s reign of terror. In this book, he describes the account of a little boy trying to desperately make sense of the nightmare exploding around him and how he survived alone at just seven years old. The community will be invited to read his book during a community-wide book read in preparation for Seng Ty’s book talk. 

We are appreciative to be able to offer these events to our community. It is through funding received by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Genocide Education Grant that we are able to do so. Please join us for either or both of these events this year!

COVID Update:

Free COVID Tests - All U.S. households are now able to order 4 free COVID tests at COVIDTests.gov. Get yours now!

Many COVID tests have extended expiration dates. To find out if your text has an extended expiration date, check here. 

Don’t Hesitate, Vaccinate! 

• Get the 2024 seasonal COVID booster at any pharmacy now to be prepared and protected before the winter peak hits.

• Flu Clinic for ages 6+ months! AT LMS NEXT WEEK!!
  Tuesday, Oct 22nd, 3-6pm at Littleton Middle School cafeteria. Hosted  by the Nashoba Board of Health.  2024-2025 Season Flu clinics will be held throughout the region from September - October.

• Some info from the Nashoba Board of Health:

-Pre-registration is required at https://www.nashoba.org/calendar. If you are unable to pre-register, please call our office at (978) 772-3335.

- People should bring their insurance cards to the clinic. This includes Medicare cards, even if you have a "Preferred" plan. No insurance? No problem. A person that does not have insurance may still receive a vaccination.

-Please stay home if you're feeling sick.

• 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.
• Open this link to review the current  LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  
• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.
• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

From the Wellness Committee:

We will be holding the meetings in the HS seminar room. The day has been changed to Wednesdays and the time has been adjusted to 5-6:00 pm. If you are not able to make these dates and would like the opportunity to call in or be at the meeting virtually, please let us know and we will accommodate with a Google Meet or phone call option. We will be sending messages through the parent newsletters on Friday about upcoming meetings, but if you know of others interested in joining our committee, we would love to see them at future meetings. For more information on the Wellness Committee and numerous helpful resources for families and the community, please visit their website.

MEETING DATES FOR THIS YEAR:

Oct 30

Nov 20

December - no meeting

Jan 29

Feb 26

March 26

April 30 - administrative meeting

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Dawnland Film Screening and Q&A:

Date - Monday, October 21, 2024

Time - 6:00-8:00 pm

Location - Littleton High School Auditorium, 56 King Street, Littleton, MA

Information - We will host a film screening of the Emmy Award-winning

documentary, Dawnland. As written on dawnland.org, “For most of the 20th century, government agents systematically forced Native American children from their homes and placed them with white families. As recently as the 1970’s, one in four Native children nationwide were living in non-Native foster care, adoptive homes, or boarding schools. Many children experienced devastating emotional and physical harm by adults who mistreated them and tried to erase their cultural identity. Now, for the first time, they are being asked to share their stories.” 

Immediately following the screening, we will have a Q&A session with gkisedtanamoogk, Commissioner of the Maine-Wabanaki Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and Adam Mazo, Dawnland’s co-director and producer. 

Book Talk with Seng Ty:

Date - Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Time - 6:00 pm

Location - Littleton High School Auditorium, 56 King Street, Littleton, MA

Information - Seng Ty is the author of The Years of Zero - Coming of Age Under the Khmer

Rouge. This is the first book written from the point of view of a young boy native to Cambodia

who survived his country’s reign of terror. In this book, he describes the account of a little boy

trying to desperately make sense of the nightmare exploding around him and how he survived alone at just seven years old. The community will be invited to read his book during a

community-wide book read in preparation for Seng Ty’s book talk. 

We are appreciative to be able to offer these events to our community. It is through funding

received by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Genocide Education

Grant that we are able to do so. Please join us for either or both of these events this year!
OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH
The Mass.Gov website offers a list of Olweus Bullying Prevention Sites throughout the state of Massachusetts. These are organizations that have undergone a multi-level bullying prevention program designed to prevent/reduce bullying in schools. 

Another good resource is stopbullying.gov. This website contains a myriad of resources related to bullying, including how to prevent bullying, building a safe environment, supporting the kids involved, bystanders for bullying, building resilience, and child engagement. There are even videos to help children understand bullying here.

An additional section of this website highlights Tips for Parents of middle school students. Middle school is when bullying occurs the most frequently. This resource contains important and useful information related to warning signs for bullying or cyberbullying, how to learn about your child’s school policies, and what to do if your child is being bullied, is bullying others, or is witnessing bullying.
Holiday Assistance Programs - Deadline is Approaching!!
BEACON SANTA DEADLINE: OCTOBER 31 
HOLIDAY HELPERS DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 12
These applications have been mailed to eligible families. Please read the cover letters for each one and follow the instructions before submitting it.  

Order Your Free 4 At-home COVID-19 Tests!
Free COVID Tests - All U.S. households are now able to order 4 free COVID tests at COVIDTests.gov.  Includes free shipping. COVID-19 testing can help you know if you have COVID so you can decide what to do next, like getting treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness and taking steps to lower your chances of spreading the virus to others. Get yours now!

Don’t Hesitate, Vaccinate! 

• Get the 2024 seasonal COVID booster at any pharmacy now to be prepared and protected before the winter peak hits.

• Flu Clinic for ages 6+ months! LMS SAVE THE DATE!!
  Tuesday, Oct 22nd, 3-6pm at Littleton Middle School cafeteria. Hosted  by the Nashoba Board of Health.  2024-2025 Season Flu clinics will be held throughout the region from September - October.

• Some info from the Nashoba Board of Health:

-Pre-registration is required at https://www.nashoba.org/calendar. If you are unable to pre-register, please call our office at (978) 772-3335.

- People should bring their insurance cards to the clinic. This includes Medicare cards, even if you have a "Preferred" plan. No insurance? No problem. A person that does not have insurance may still receive a vaccination.

-Please stay home if you're feeling sick.

• 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.
• Open this link to review the current  LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  
• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.
• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

From the Wellness Committee:

We will be holding the meetings in the HS seminar room. The day has been changed to Wednesdays and the time has been adjusted to 5-6:00 pm. If you are not able to make these dates and would like the opportunity to call in or be at the meeting virtually, please let us know and we will accommodate with a Google Meet or phone call option. We will be sending messages through the parent newsletters on Friday about upcoming meetings, but if you know of others interested in joining our committee, we would love to see them at future meetings. For more information on the Wellness Committee and numerous helpful resources for families and the community, please visit their website.

MEETING DATES FOR THIS YEAR:

Oct 30

Nov 20

December - no meeting

Jan 29

Feb 26

March 26

April 30 - administrative meeting

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Dawnland Film Screening and Q&A:

Date - Monday, October 21, 2024

Time - 6:00-8:00 pm

Location - Littleton High School Auditorium, 56 King Street, Littleton, MA

Information - We will host a film screening of the Emmy Award-winning

documentary, Dawnland. As written on dawnland.org, “For most of the 20th century, government agents systematically forced Native American children from their homes and placed them with white families. As recently as the 1970’s, one in four Native children nationwide were living in non-Native foster care, adoptive homes, or boarding schools. Many children experienced devastating emotional and physical harm by adults who mistreated them and tried to erase their cultural identity. Now, for the first time, they are being asked to share their stories.” 

Immediately following the screening, we will have a Q&A session with gkisedtanamoogk,

Commissioner of the Maine-Wabanaki Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and Adam Mazo,

Dawnland’s co-director and producer. 

Book Talk with Seng Ty:

Date - Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Time - 6:00 pm

Location - Littleton High School Auditorium, 56 King Street, Littleton, MA

Information - Seng Ty is the author of The Years of Zero - Coming of Age Under the Khmer

Rouge. This is the first book written from the point of view of a young boy native to Cambodia

who survived his country’s reign of terror. In this book, he describes the account of a little boy

trying to desperately make sense of the nightmare exploding around him and how he survived alone at just seven years old. The community will be invited to read his book during a

community-wide book read in preparation for Seng Ty’s book talk. 

We are appreciative to be able to offer these events to our community. It is through funding

received by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Genocide Education

Grant that we are able to do so. Please join us for either or both of these events this year!

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH
The Mass.Gov website offers a list of Olweus Bullying Prevention Sites throughout the state of Massachusetts. These are organizations that have undergone a multi-level bullying prevention program designed to prevent/reduce bullying in schools. 

Another good resource is stopbullying.gov. This website contains a myriad of resources related to bullying, including how to prevent bullying, building a safe environment, supporting the kids involved, bystanders for bullying, building resilience, and child engagement. There are even videos to help children understand bullying here.

An additional section of this website highlights Tips for Parents of middle school students. Middle school is when bullying occurs the most frequently. This resource contains important and useful information related to warning signs for bullying or cyberbullying, how to learn about your child’s school policies, and what to do if your child is being bullied, is bullying others, or is witnessing bullying.

Holiday Assistance Programs - Deadline is Approaching!!
Applications were mailed last week to eligible families for Beacon Santa and Park & Rec Holiday Helpers. Please follow the instructions on the cover letter for each one and submit them by the deadline.
BEACON SANTA DEADLINE: OCTOBER 31 
HOLIDAY HELPERS DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 12 

COVID Update:
Free COVID Tests - All U.S. households are now able to order 4 free COVID tests at COVIDTests.gov.  Includes free shipping. Get yours now!

Don’t Hesitate, Vaccinate! 

• Get the 2024 seasonal COVID booster at any pharmacy now to be prepared and protected before the winter peak hits.

• Flu Clinic for ages 6+ months! LMS SAVE THE DATE!!
  Tuesday, Oct 22nd, 3-6pm at Littleton Middle School cafeteria. Hosted  by the Nashoba Board of Health.  2024-2025 Season Flu clinics will be held throughout the region from September - October.

• Some info from the Nashoba Board of Health:

-Pre-registration is required at https://www.nashoba.org/calendar. If you are unable to pre-register, please call our office at (978) 772-3335.

- People should bring their insurance cards to the clinic. This includes Medicare cards, even if you have a "Preferred" plan. No insurance? No problem. A person that does not have insurance may still receive a vaccination.

-Please stay home if you're feeling sick.

• 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.
• Open this link to review the current  LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  
• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.
• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH
The Mass.Gov website offers a list of Olweus Bullying Prevention Sites throughout the state of Massachusetts. These are organizations that have undergone a multi-level bullying prevention program designed to prevent/reduce bullying in schools. 

Another good resource is stopbullying.gov. This website contains a myriad of resources related to bullying, including how to prevent bullying, building a safe environment, supporting the kids involved, bystanders for bullying, building resilience, and child engagement. There are even videos to help children understand bullying here.

An additional section of this website highlights Tips for Parents of middle school students. Middle school is when bullying occurs the most frequently. This resource contains important and useful information related to warning signs for bullying or cyberbullying, how to learn about your child’s school policies, and what to do if your child is being bullied, is bullying others, or is witnessing bullying.

Holiday Assistance Programs:
Applications were mailed last week to eligible families for Beacon Santa and Park & Rec Holiday Helpers. Please follow the instructions on the cover letter for each one and submit them by the deadline.
BEACON SANTA DEADLINE: OCTOBER 31 
HOLIDAY HELPERS DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 12 
If you are interested and would like an application or information, please contact the school nurse. 

• Avoid being outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• To avoid mosquito bites, use a bug repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient
•  Wear clothing to reduce exposed skin 
• Drain standing water
• Keep mosquitoes out of your house by repairing any holes in your screens and making sure they are tightly attached to all your doors and windows.  

COVID Update:
Free COVID Tests - All U.S. households are now able to order 4 free COVID tests at COVIDTests.gov. Get yours now!

Don’t Hesitate, Vaccinate! 

• Get the 2024 seasonal COVID booster at any pharmacy now to be prepared and protected before the winter peak hits.

• Flu Clinic for ages 6+ months! LMS SAVE THE DATE!!
  Tuesday, Oct 22nd, 3-6pm at Littleton Middle School cafeteria. Hosted  by the Nashoba Board of Health.  2024-2025 Season Flu clinics will be held throughout the region from September - October.

• Some info from the Nashoba Board of Health:

-Pre-registration is required at https://www.nashoba.org/calendar. If you are unable to pre-register, please call our office at (978) 772-3335.

- People should bring their insurance cards to the clinic. This includes Medicare cards, even if you have a "Preferred" plan. No insurance? No problem. A person that does not have insurance may still receive a vaccination.

-Please stay home if you're feeling sick.

• 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.
• Open this link to review the current  LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  
• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.
• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

Holiday Assistance Programs:
Applications were mailed this week to eligible families for Beacon Santa and Park & Rec Holiday Helpers. Please read the cover letter for each one and follow the instructions.
BEACON SANTA DEADLINE: OCTOBER 31 
HOLIDAY HELPERS DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 12 
If you are interested and would like an application or information, please contact the school nurse. 

• Avoid being outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• To avoid mosquito bites, use a bug repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient
•  Wear clothing to reduce exposed skin 
• Drain standing water
• Keep mosquitoes out of your house by repairing any holes in your screens and making sure they are tightly attached to all your doors and windows.  

Holiday Assistance Programs:
Applications for Beacon Santa and Littleton Park & Rec Holiday Helpers will be mailed to eligible families next week. Please read the cover letter for each one and follow the instructions.
BEACON SANTA DEADLINE: OCTOBER 31 
HOLIDAY HELPERS DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 12 
If you are interested and would like an application or information, please contact the school nurse. 

• 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.
• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  
• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.
• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

• Avoid being outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• To avoid mosquito bites, use a bug repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient
•  Wear clothing to reduce exposed skin 
• Drain standing water
• Keep mosquitoes out of your house by repairing any holes in your screens and making sure they are tightly attached to all your doors and windows.  

Holiday Assistance Programs:
Applications coming soon from Beacon Santa and Park & Rec Holiday Helpers.  If you are interested and would like an application or information, please contact the school nurse. 

• 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.
• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  
• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.
• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

• Avoid being outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• To avoid mosquito bites, use a bug repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient
•  Wear clothing to reduce exposed skin 
• Drain standing water
• Keep mosquitoes out of your house by repairing any holes in your screens and making sure they are tightly attached to all your doors and windows.  

• 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.
• Open this link to review the LPS COVID guidelines updated March 2024  
• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.
• If your child is sick, please keep them home and call the school attendance line with a brief description of the illness. In addition, you may inform me by email at mphilpot@littletonps.org.

• Avoid being outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• To avoid mosquito bites, use a bug repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient
•  Wear clothing to reduce exposed skin 
• Drain standing water
• Keep mosquitoes out of your house by repairing any holes in your screens and making sure they are tightly attached to all your doors and windows.  

• 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.
• See the attachment for updated COVID guidelines issued by MA DPH or this link

• We do not test students for COVID at school.  We can provide a free take-home test for families to test at home if needed while supplies last.