November 2025

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging the community to prepare for the upcoming season by staying up to date on vaccinations for both COVID-19 and seasonal flu. Based on the latest evidence, DPH strongly recommends that everyone aged six months and older receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine for the best protection against severe illness. Simultaneously, the DPH recommends an annual influenza vaccine for everyone six months and older. For those 65 and older, specific high-dose or enhanced flu vaccines are preferentially recommended. You may access the guidance on COVID vaccination and influenza vaccination at the DPH’s website.

For your convenience, both the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine can be administered at the same time! These vaccines are readily available at local health centers, primary care offices, and pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens for eligible individuals. Importantly, health insurance in Massachusetts will continue to cover all state-recommended vaccines to ensure equitable access. Please check with your healthcare provider or pharmacy for the most up-to-date availability and scheduling options.

Cold and flu viruses are common triggers for asthma flare-ups. These steps can help keep your child healthy, prepared, and safe during the winter months.

1. Prevent Illness

✔ Keep hands clean: Encourage regular hand washing for at least 20 seconds.
✔ Stay home when sick: Prevent spreading germs to others.
✔ Flu & COVID vaccinations: Strongly recommended for children with asthma.
✔ Avoid sick contacts: Teach children not to share drinks, utensils, or masks.

2. Protect Against Asthma Triggers

Winter triggers include cold air, dust, mold, strong fragrances, and viral illnesses.
Tips:

• Have your child wear a scarf or mask over their nose/mouth in cold weather.

• Reduce exposure to scented sprays, cleaners, and perfumes.

• Keep bedrooms and common areas dust-free.

3. Use Daily Asthma Medications as Prescribed

• Continue daily controller inhalers (such as inhaled steroids), even when your child feels well—unless your provider says otherwise.

• Review inhaler technique regularly.

• Make sure medications at school are up to date and not expired.
  

4. Keep an Updated Asthma Action Plan

Your child should have a current plan (updated every year or after any change in treatment).
Provide copies to your school nurse and after school coordinators/coaches.

5. Recognize Early Warning Signs

Call your provider if you notice:

• More coughing or wheezing

• Needing the rescue inhaler more often

• Trouble keeping up during play or exercise

• Nighttime coughing
  
  

6. What To Do During a Flare-Up

Follow your child’s Asthma Action Plan:

• Give quick-relief medication (usually albuterol).

• Monitor symptoms closely

• Seek emergency care right away if your child has:

• Trouble speaking
  

• Chest pulling in or ribs showing.
  

• Blue lips or fingernails
  

• No improvement after rescue medication

• Severe shortness of breath

7. Keep Communication Open

Please let the school nurse know if:

• Symptoms increase during cold/flu season
  

• Your child needs the inhaler more frequently.
  

• Medication or dosage has changed.
  
  

Working together helps keep your child safe and learning!

No fuss cookies prefect to bake up with kids. Lower in sugar and easy to make vegan and gluten free if needed. See the link for more information on substitutions!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter or dairy-free butter substitute
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp almond extract optional but recommended
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour or additional all-purpose flour or use a total 1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour blend
• 1/2 cup sprinkles

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or grease lightly with oil/oil spray.

• Cut butter into 8 tablespoon pieces and place in a large microwave-safe bowl. Heat butter until mostly melted. You want the butter to be soft but not too hot. If it does melt all the way, that ok. Just set it aside to let it cool until room temp. (I use the microwave, but you can also melt it in a small pot on the stove.)

• Add the maple syrup to the butter and whisk to combine. (It's ok it if looks a little lumpy.) Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts, then the baking powder, salt, and baking soda until well combined.

• Add the flour then use a rubber spatula or large spoon to stir until the flour is just incorporated.

• Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls. Press one side of the balls into sprinkles then place the dough balls sprinkle side up on the baking sheet, placing them about an inch apart.

  (If the dough is too sticky/soft to roll, you can chill it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes and it will be easier to roll.)
• Bake cookies until lightly golden brown around the edges and on the bottom, 12 to 14 minutes.

• Allow the cookies to cool completely on the sheet pan or on a cooling rack. Once cool, store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Cookies can also be frozen for up to 1 month.

• Check out some cool clubs and events at the Salem Public Library: Lego Club, Craft Club and Graphic Novel Book Club! Or sign up and come to build confidence and practice reading aloud by reading to a dog!
• Celebrate the end of the year by attending a FREE Movie Event at Cinema Salem: The Wild Robot, based on the incredible book by Peter Brown on December 30th