CHIPS Weekly Update

The PTO's first fundraiser is underway! The PTO is selling CHIPS Spirit Wear Shirts. Order forms have been sent home with students and a copy is below as well. Orders are due by Friday, October 4th.

We hope you'll consider getting involved with the CHIPS PTO. The flyer below shows some ways you can help!

Our next meeting will be on Monday, 10/21 at 6:30pm. As always, there will be a link for those who would like to attend virtually.

School Picture days at CHIPS will be held on October 8 & 9. If your child attends both of these days, their teacher will let you know which day will be picture day for the class. Ordering envelopes have been sent home and a flyer with online ordering information is below.

• October 4- Spirit Wear Orders Due
• October 8 & 9- School Pictures
• October 14- NO SCHOOL Columbus Day
• October 24- NO SCHOOL Professional Development

"Hand washing is the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Handwashing and GERM control are practiced at CHIPS to instill healthy habits with our students. Washing their hands with soap and water occurs daily: prior to and after eating, after using the bathroom/toilet, after playing outside and simply when in need. Please encourage your child to continue this practice every day at home to help wash those germs away!

Speaking of GERMS...back to school fall viruses can be tricky with our age group, especially Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD). Most children have mild symptoms for 7 to 10 days. Symptoms may include fever, sore throat, painful mouth sores that blister, and a rash commonly found on the hands and feet. Complications from HFMD are rare. Handwashing (sanitize if not near a sink), disinfecting toys, eating surfaces and bathroom facilities are the best way to limit the spread of most common viruses. This practice is encouraged to be done at home and here at school.

Key Points for HFMD

• Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is common in children under 5 years old, but anyone can get it
• The illness is usually not serious, but it is very contagious.
• To prevent spreading HFMD, wash your hands often, clean and disinfect surfaces, and avoid close contact with others.

When to return to school

Because HFMD is normally mild, children can continue to go to child care and schools as long as they:

• Are fever free for 24hrs (without the use of medicine)
• Have no uncontrolled drooling with mouth sores
• Feel well enough to participate in class

Talk with your child’s healthcare provider or Nurse Kristen Lynch if you are still not sure when it is okay for them to return, as each child's symptoms may resolve on an individual basis.

Please refer to the included links from the CDC on HFMD and enjoy read -along- handwashing stories below.

Please use our absence line (978-251-5188 Option 0) or our attendance email (chipsattendance@chelmsford.k12.ma.us) to report your child's absence from school and be sure to state the reason for the absence (illness, appointment, travel, etc). If your child is out due to illness, please let us know the nature of the illness (fever, vomiting, cough, etc.).

Nurse Kristen can be reached by calling the CHIPS main number (978-251-5188) and selecting option 3 or by emailing lynchk@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Our CHIPS Little Free Library- such a fun way to help foster a love of reading in our preschoolers! Feel free to stop by with your child and borrow a book! Please remember to return the book when you are finished:) If you have books at home that you would like to donate, please put them in the Little Library or send them into CHIPS with your child. Thank you!!

The Chelmsford Public School District has implemented a new visitor management and screening service at every school building. The system is called Visitor Aware, and it is designed to ensure that only safe visitors are allowed access to our buildings. Visitor Aware provides an additional layer of security for your children by validating the identities of anyone entering the premises, determining if they are a potential threat, and keeping accurate records of all school visits.

Visitors are required to have a valid state issued identification card, such as a driver’s license, to check in to ensure the accuracy of the information provided. Valid identification is also used to ensure that the person checking in is the same as the ID holder. The identification card must be non-expired and contain a picture of the visitor.

Visitor Aware is a great addition to our already well secured buildings, and will further assist us in keeping all schools as safe as possible.

Email: mcguirkm@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://chelmsfordschools.org
Location: 170 Dalton Road, Chelmsford, MA, USA
Phone: (978)251-5188