Sheffield Spotlight
September 22nd, 2023
Update from the Health Office
Dear Gill-Montague Regional School Community,
On behalf of the health care team, we would like to welcome everyone back to the 2023-2024 school year. We are looking forward to a healthy, safe, and successful year ahead.
Below you will find the current COVID-19 plan, a reminder of our illness policy, as well as which illnesses to report to your building-based nurse.
COVID- 19 Plan:
The district is following COVID-19 guidelines from the MDPH/DESE K-12 Guidance.
Monitor your family for COVID symptoms:
Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, new loss of smell or taste, and diarrhea. Also, when in combination with other symptoms, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, headache, sore or scratchy throat and nasal congestion or runny nose.
If your student tests positive for Covid-19:
They must remain home for 5 full days, returning on the 6th day, as long as symptoms are improving and your child has been fever free for at least 24 hours without fever reducing medication for 24 hour
We are no longer testing students/staff in the school setting.
At-Home Tests can be purchased online or in pharmacies and may be reimbursed through your health insurance. Free tests may be available at some local Health Departments and Community Centers. Refer to this site for testing facilities: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/find-a-covid-19-test
Illness Policy:
Please keep your student home if they are not feeling well and are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
● fever over 100.0 degrees
● significant headache or stomach ache
● diarrhea or vomiting within the past 24 hours
● impetigo (may return to school after treatment has started)
● earache, runny nose, cough and/or sore throat (if these symptoms interfere with a student's participation at school).
A student may return to school after an illness once they have been fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication, symptoms are subsiding, and they will be able to have a productive day at school.
Please report to your building based nurse if your student is diagnosed with Covid-19, Influenza (flu), stomach bug or any other contagious illness.
As always, please call your building based nurse with any questions or concerns. Thank you for your cooperation.
Sheffield Elementary School Nurse:
Billie Gammell, BSN, RN
(413)863-7441
Friends of Sheffield (FOS)
FOS Meeting Minutes
Our meeting minutes from our 9/18 meeting can be found here. Our next meeting will be
Monday, October 16th, from 5:15 - 6:15 pm in the Sheffield library. If you prefer to meet virtually, our meet link can be found here: https://meet.google.com/zgs-mrzo-adv. If you need childcare, please let us know in advance.
Reminders & Notifications
We use Remind App to communicate with families. If you would like to receive reminders from Friends of Sheffield about upcoming events happening at the school, you can sign up one of the following ways:
- If you have remind app, please click +Add class --> Join existing class @c37ck7
- To receive push notifications, please visit: https://www.remind.com/join/c37ck7
- To receive text notifications, please text @c37ck7 to the number 81010
- If you’re having trouble texting to 81010, try texting @c37ck7 to (757) 337-4602.
Looking Ahead
- Our next fundraiser will be 12" wreaths from Silvery Moon Farms in October. Be on the lookout for info in backpacks soon.
- We will be hosting our 2nd annual Trunk-or-Treat in the Sheffield parking lot with Friends of Hillcrest. More details to come!
Montague Public Libraries
Save the Date!
Thursday, September 28 from 6:15-7:00 - Open House
Wednesday, October 4 at 8 am - Walk, Bike, & Roll to School event
Monday, October 9 - No School
Wednesday, October 11 - Early Dismissal at Noon