Summertime!
news, health updates, wellness tips
Mid-summer....
ENGLISH:
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ESPAÑOL:
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THANK YOU TO ALL PARENTS & GUARDIANS...for ALL of the extraordinary ways you support your children and their teachers every day!
Health Updates
COVID-19 Updates
TO ALL PARENTS: Please get your vaccinations done now!!!!!
You are protecting YOUR family and community by getting vaccinated.
FREE COVID-19 VACCINATIONS AT PROJECT BEACON COVID-19 TESTING SITE IN FRAMINGHAM
Para ver esta información en Español, haga clic aquí.
Para visualizar essas informações em Português, clique aqui.
- Where: Framingham State University, Maple Street Parking Lot
- When:
- Sundays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Mondays: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Thursdays: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Fridays: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (beginning July 16)
- Vaccine Type: Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson
- Health insurance and photo ID is not required
- Vaccination Provider: CIC Health and Cataldo Ambulance Service
- For questions, please call (888) 623-3830 or email vaccine-support@cic-health.com
FREE COVID-19 VACCINATIONS AT THE CITY'S PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING CLINIC, 113 CONCORD STREET (DIAGONALLY FROM CITY HALL)
- Where: City of Framingham Public Health Nursing Clinic, 113 Concord Street
- When:
- Mornings:
- Monday - Friday: 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Evenings:
- Tuesday-Thursday: 5-7 p.m.
- Mornings:
- Vaccine Type: Pfizer (limited supply), Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna
- Appointments are not required
- Health insurance and photo ID is not required
- For questions, please call (508) 532-5472, or email Kitty Mahoney, kcm@framinghamma.gov.
- Face coverings/masks are required to be worn at all times in the clinic. Face coverings/masks will be available for visitors.
Remember the 3 W's:
WASH your hands; WEAR your mask and WATCH your distance!
- If your child shows symptoms or is not feeling well, contact your healthcare provider and have your child tested for COVID-19.
- Please request a PCR or NAAT test when your child is tested at their doctor or an urgent care facility. We are NOT accepting antigen (Ag) test results!
- When you receive your test results, send them to the school nurse
- PCR testing is available at Stop the Spread sites, no insurance needed.
- For more information on testing please visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread .
- If someone in your home tests + for COVID, a contact tracing nurse from the Framingham Board of Health will be in touch with you to provide more information and to work with your family until the quarantine is complete.
- Read this for care of reusable masks: https://www.framinghamma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/37828/Cloth-Face-Coverings---Distribution-Guidance
FREE DRIVE-THROUGH EXPRESS COVID-19 TESTING
BY PROJECT BEACON AT 123 MAPLE STREET, FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY COMMUTER LOT
Para ver esta información en Español, haga clic aquí.
Para visualizar essas informações em Português, clique aqui.
- Location: 123 Maple Street, Framingham, MA 01702 at the Framingham State University Commuter Parking Lot
- Scheduling an appointment: Please register online at https://app.beacontesting.com/login to see available appointment slots.
- Eligibility: Open to everyone; symptomatic and asymptomatic
- Format: Drive-through only
- Cost: FREE; no health insurance required
- Test Results: Results will be available within 1-3 (business) days after test administration
- Here are the hours of operation:
- Mondays: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Tuesdays: CLOSED
- Wednesdays: CLOSED
- Thursdays: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Fridays: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Saturdays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sundays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
If your child is a contact of someone with a confirmed case of COVID, please notify me and don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any COVID questions or concerns.
DO YOU HAVE A THERMOMETER IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?
Fever is a common symptom of COVID-19. The Framingham Public Schools encourage families to check their children’s temperature regularly. Through a generous grant from the MetroWest Health Foundation, school nurses are able to provide new thermometers to families.
If you do not have a thermometer in your household, please email or call your school, or call or email the Call Center. We will send a thermometer home with your child.
We appreciate your partnership in keeping our schools safe and healthy.
Monday - Friday
5:00 AM to 6:00 PM
508-782-6633
Press 1 for English
Presione 2 para Español
Pressione 3 para Português
EMAIL: covid@framingham.k12.ma.us
If you need a thermometer, CALL or EMAIL me and I will get one to you.
- A digital thermometers is one of the most basic and common ways of diagnosing a fever.
- It is crucial that you know what your child's accurate temperature is so you know if their body temperature is in a safe range. Touching their face or neck is not really accurate!
- Fever itself is not an illness; only a symptom. A high temperature is a fever.
- Normal temperature is 96.4-99.5 (35.8-37.5 Celsius)
- Low -grade fever is 100-100.4 (>38.0 Celsius)
- High fever is >104.0 ( >40.0 Celsius)
- Please carefully read the instructions with your new thermometer, keep it safe, and use it as needed!
- We will continue to be vigilant in adhering to all of the protocols that have been put in place to reduce the spread of COVID.
- We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families.
- We ask for your commitment to reducing the spread as well.
Woodrow Wilson/Harmony Grove
Location: 169 Leland Street, Framingham, MA, USA
Phone: 508-782-6702
Your School Nurse
About school nurses....
We are key clinical health providers in the school setting and are a strategic link in meeting the myriad of health needs presented in schools. It is important for guardians and parents to learn to know their child's school nurse and to maintain ongoing communications with her regarding your child's health needs. This relationship is essential to effective and successful health outcomes during the school day.
Because there are a range of health policies across school districts in the Commonwealth, it is important for families to understand both the state and their local school health policies and procedures.
Office Hours
I will promptly respond via the method you request in your original message.
2020-2021 Flu vaccine no longer required!
While still RECOMMENDED, the flu vaccine is no longer required, as of January 15th.
Vaccinating your child against influenza is critical in protecting you and your family's health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Getting a flu shot reduces the risk of getting sick with flu, reduces the severity of disease if you or your child get sick with flu, and prevents the spread of flu to others.
- Call your healthcare provider to schedule a time to get the flu vaccine for your child.
- If you need help in getting the flu vaccine for your child, contact your school nurse.
- Provide your school nurse with documentation of the flu vaccine.
Physical Examinations & Immunizations
Every child needs to present documentation of a physical examination prior to first school entry to be in compliance with Massachusetts General Law--Chapter 71, Section 57.
All students must have a copy of a current physical examination on file at the following times:
• Upon entry into the school district (dated within the last YEAR)
• Entering Kindergarten, 4th, 7th, and 10th grades
• Each year for all students who participate in high school sports
The purpose of the requirements (105 CMR 200.000) is to:
-- identify and take appropriate actions with respect to disabilities and medical conditions of school children in public schools as soon as possible
-- enable all children to obtain the fullest benefit of their educational opportunities
--identify and take appropriate action with respect to contagious or communicable diseases among students.
Immunizations
- State regulations REQUIRE each child to meet grade entry immunization requirements.
- This is a Massachusetts General LAW--Title X11, Section 15, Chapter 76!
- Vaccines are one of the great public health advances of the 20th century, and prevent hundreds of thousands of illnesses in the US every year. Vaccines protect both the person vaccinated and those around them from serious diseases, a concept known as herd immunity. Herd immunity protects other members of the community, such as babies too young to be vaccinated or those who cannot receive immunizations because of a medical condition.
Lead poisoning screening
Each child must present documentation of lead poisoning screening upon entry to kindergarten.
Special Health Care Needs or medical conditions
- If a child has asthma, allergies, diabetes, seizures, attention deficit disorder, or any other condition requiring special health services in the school and/or is assisted with medical technology, etc., it is vital that the parent meet with the school nurse and develop an Individual Health Care Plan prior to school entry.
- Physician's orders for special care in school will need to be shared with the school nurse.
Medication Administration at School
- When a child requires short-term or long-term medication during the school day, parents are required to contact the school nurse and provide (a) physician's order, (b) parental consent and (c) medication (30 days’ supply. All of this needs to be brought in by an adult and not sent on the bus or with a walker.
- The administration of medications to children at school is managed by the school nurse.
- The self-administration of selected medications, is determined by the school nurse and prescribing provider.
WELLNESS TIPS
Spring time (and summer) also brings allergy season.
If your child has KNOWN seasonal allergies, please connect with your health care provider about giving a non-sedating antihistamine to treat the symptoms of itchy watery eyes/nose, sneezing,and hives.
- Do NOT postpone well child visits or routine vaccinations for fear of contracting COVID19!! Emergency rooms, hospitals and doctor's offices have made many changes designed to keep YOU and staff members safe.
- Please always err on the side of caution and do not wait in taking your child into their doctor's office for sickness and injury assessments!
- If you have a child with a chronic medical condition, any lingering complaint (headache, stomach ache, sore throat, fatigue), developmental concerns or mental health issues..you need to keep in close contact with your child's health care provider.
- CALL YOUR PEDIATRICIAN and DO NOT WAIT.
The remaining part of the site is continually under construction and has tips on staying sane and calm(er) at home during the school year....
- Try to stick to a regular bedtime, even on weekends
- Get up at the same time every day
- Do not eat, do homework or watch TV in your bed
- Turn off all electronics an hour before bedtime
- Do video chats with loved ones or write them a card or letter
- Make a Gratitude Jar in your home--for 2 weeks, every day, write down ONE thing you are grateful for and place in the jar. Read them out loud at with your family the end of the 2 weeks. Then repeat again when you need to!
- Practice deep/belly breathing several times a day, maybe 5-10 times a day
- Be active--dance, take an online exercise class, run in place, do calisthenics
- Stretch daily, add some yoga moves and stretches to your day
- Schedule active time every day....outside if possible and the weather allows
- Eat your fresh fruits and veggies...FIVE servings a day
- Talk through your feelings with a parent, guardian--someone you trust
- Schedule online social time with friends after homework is done.
Please share if YOU have found some wonderful ways to keep the calm in YOUR home!