SPS RN TEAM Newsletter

Fall 2023

Welcome back everyone!

Welcome back!

It has been a wonderful start to the school year! The nurses have enjoyed getting to meet our new families and see familiar faces. Please reach out to your school nurse with any health related questions or concerns.

The SPS RN team is committed to the health and wellness of our school community. We look forward to partnering with our parents and guardians this school year to promote and maintain healthy learning environments throughout our schools.

With gratitude,

Danielle Gallan, MSN-PH, RN

Emergency Forms

Please update your child's emergency form for this school year in PowerSchool.

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Dental Days!

Dental hygienists are coming to each school this fall to provide dental exams and cleanings to those who would like to participate. Please reach out to your school nurse with any questions, forms will be sent home and are attached to this newsletter as well.

Wilkins: September 26, 27, and 28

Dawe: October 4 & 5

South: October 11

Jones: October 12

Gibbons: October 18 & 19

High school: October 23

O’Donnell Middle: November 3

Hansen: November 6

pdf

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Protecting all smiles English consent.pdf

Protecting all smiles Spanish consent form.pdf

Protecting all smiles consent form Portuguese.pdf

Protecting all smiles consent 2023 Haitian Creole.pdf

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Clinic Guidelines on Illness

To ensure a healthy and safe school year the following guidelines must be followed by all SPS families and staff members. The SPS RN Team continues to follow the guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Department of Education and Secondary Education. Here is the most recent MDPH guidance. Thank you for your help in following these guidelines which are designed to keep the SPS community healthy!

If staff or students are sick please stay home.
24 hours fever/medicine free
There is no testing for infectious diseases including COVID in school . Testing is not required, but if tested and positive follow MDPH guidance which is 5 days isolation from SYMPTOM onset or positive test day (whichever is earlier). The individual can return on day 6 if feeling better (see item #2) and should wear a mask through Day 10.
Staff or students who are ill will be sent home for immediate dismissal. Please ensure that there is someone on your child’s emergency contact list who can pick them up from school within 30 minutes of notice.
For our high school student athletes our coaches and athletic trainers are following the COVID return to play guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics and MIAA. The return to play form is attached below.

This link to our Health Services website has helpful information regarding when to stay home due to illness.

Tips on protecting yourself and loved ones during mosquito season

It is that time of year again where the mosquitos are biting.

From the MDPH website:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-menthane 3, 8-diol (PMD)], or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning.

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wear long-sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors to help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently.

Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Protect Your Animals

Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and EEE. If an animal is diagnosed with WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to DAR, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795 and to DPH by calling 617-983-6800.

More information, including all WNV and EEE positive results, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at www.mass.gov/mosquito-borne-diseases or by calling the DPH Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800.

Welcome to the team Jennifer Fallon, RN!

The nursing team is happy to welcome Jennifer Fallon, RN to the team. Jennifer brings a wealth of clinical and case management knowledge with her. Jennifer will be supporting both the OMS and SHS clinics.

Jennifer is replacing Ashley Santospago, FNP who is expanding her clinical practice as an FNP. We are wishing Ashley all the best and look forward to seeing her return in a per diem role.