CHIPS Weekly Update

• With colder temperatures settling in for the winter, please be sure to dress your child for the weather. We try to get the children outside as often as possible (even when it's cold), and we want them to be comfortable and having fun outside!

• During the winter months, our car drop off and pick up line tends to get longer. It is our goal to keep arrival and dismissal flowing as efficiently as possible. You can help by having your child ready to get out of the car at drop off and getting them buckled in right away at pick up. Thank you for your help!

• If you are new to the car drop off/pick up line, please remember that it is prohibited to pass busses when their lights are flashing. If busses are still loading/unloading when you are ready to exit the CHIPS parking lot, please wait for busses to be done loading/unloading and turn off their lights, indicating it is safe to pass.

• December 25-January 1- NO SCHOOL- December Recess
• January 9- NO SCHOOL- Professional Development
• January 15- NO SCHOOL- Martin Luther King Day

As we approach winter months and holiday gatherings, we may encounter a variety of common seasonal viruses. Please see the attached documents for more information about RSV, Influenza (FLU) and GI viruses (Stomach Bugs), which are common during the winter months.

Keep up the good work with hand washing and germ control! As a reminder, please keep your child at home when exhibiting excessive or uncontrolled symptoms; encourage fluids (to prevent dehydration from diarrhea or fever) and allow plenty of rest. Please enjoy the following story that is read here in our own school! Look for the Germs hiding on the pages!

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

Thank you to all who attended our most recent PTO meeting! Our next meeting will be on Thursday, January 8th at 6:30pm at CHIPS. 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