CHIPS Weekly Update

This is a friendly reminder that it is important to be on time for both drop off and pick up! When children arrive late, they miss fun classroom activities and instruction. It can be distressing for children to be picked up late. Additionally, staff members have lunch time and other assigned duties between sessions and after the PM session.

Believe it or not, it is sign up time for many summer camps and activities. Our social worker, Ann Wheeler, has compiled a list of camps in the area for your reference. Please feel free to reach out to Ann (wheelera@chelmsford.k12.ma.us) if you need help finding a camp or support with financial logistics.

• April 4- NO CHIPS- Professional Development (please note that this is a change from the original April PD date)
• April 7- NO SCHOOL- Good Friday

There have been a few confirmed cases of Strep throat diagnosed within our pre-school population. Please notify your child’s doctor if/when you suspect a case and follow the Chelmsford Public Schools Health Policies.

CAUSE: Strep throat (group A Streptococcus), a bacterial infection of the throat or tonsils, is common in young children.

SYMPTOMS: Symptoms can be sudden onset of fever, sore throat, swollen glands, OR simply headache, lethargy and abdominal pain. If your child does not appear well or develops any of the symptoms, keep him/her home and consult a doctor.

SPREAD & INCUBATION: Person to person from nose and throat secretions. It usually takes 1–3 days from the time a person is exposed until symptoms develop.

CONTAGIOUS PERIOD/EXCLUSION: Your child may return to school after 24 hours of provided treatment/antibiotics (or three doses) and fever-free. Your child is considered still contagious within those first 24 hours.

PREVENTION/CONTROL: Thorough handwashing and family have members not share towels, glasses, dishes, utensils, etc. Be sure to wash these articles with soap and hot water before using them.

TREATMENT: Strep throat is diagnosed by taking your child to the doctor for a throat culture. This is done by swabbing the throat to see what germs grow. If the culture shows strep throat, treatment includes antibiotics taken for a set number of days.

Please use our absence line (978-251-5188 Option 0) 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.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, April 6 at 6:30pm in the CHIPS cafeteria. As always, there will be a link for those who would like to attend virtually. The meeting link is below.

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