We have been in school for three weeks now! It has been great to see so many of our students for in-person learning! It has also been wonderful to hear from our remote learners joining in daily to participate in the learning experience!
As allergy, cold, and flu season begin, at the same time we are dealing with Covid-19, some questions have arisen about what to do if your child is ill or exhibiting Covid-like symptoms. Hopefully we can help resolve some of those questions here. We are following all guidelines from the Springfield Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and the Diocese of Springfield Catholic Schools Office (CSO).
What is the Daily Student Wellness Check Form?
The Daily Student Wellness Check Form is a list of symptoms that should be referred to daily before you send your child to school. It is very important that you utilize the Daily Wellness Check Form to assist you in monitoring your child on a daily basis. The form is located under the Nurse Office link on St. Michael's Academy website. If you check off any of these symptoms, on the list, you should keep your child home and call the School Nurse (413-782-5246) to discuss the symptoms. Together you and the School Nurse can partner on deciding the best way to proceed so that you child may return to school in a timely manner.
What if my Child is ill? What should I do?
First, keep your child home. Then call the School Nurse to discuss the illness. You should also call your child's pediatrician to determine the need for an appointment or Covid-19 test. The current recommendation is that the default practice is to have a Covid -19 test. Your provider and the School Nurse can assist you in locating local testing centers.
Does my child, who has symptoms with an alternative diagnosis, such as strep throat, still need a Covid test before returning to school?
In order to protect schools from the introduction of Covid, testing of symptomatic individuals should be the default practice. Students with sudden new symptoms (especially respiratory such as cough, shortness of breath, sore throat) or fever should almost always receive a negative Covid test before return to school.
Health care providers have clinical discretion to consider chronic illnesses or symptoms such as headache, abdominal or gastrointestinal symptoms and use clinical judgement to defer testing when an alternative cause is established.
My child has seasonal allergies.
Can they come to school?
It is important for you to partner with the School Nurse and your child's pediatrician to document a seasonal allergy issue. That will allow the School Nurse some discretion when assessing your child for referral for further evaluation.
My child has asthma and will often have a cough due to a flare up in asthma symptoms? What should I do?
It is important for you to partner with the School Nurse and your child's pediatrician to document your child's asthma diagnosis. That will allow the School Nurse some discretion when assessing your child for referral for further evaluation. Also please provide the school nurse with an inhaler and spacer for school with doctor orders. The School Nurse can assist you in obtaining these items.
My child has a headache or runny nose,
what should I do?
If your child has these symptoms, refer to the Daily Student Wellness Check Form. If your child has just a headache and no other symptoms, he may come to school as long as they can participate fully in the in person learning model.
If your child has a runny nose or nasal congestion that is new in combination with other symptoms, please keep your child home. If the runny nose is due to documented seasonal allergies and your child has no other symptoms they may come to school as long as they can participate fully in the in person learning model.
In an effort to maximize the health and safety of the St. Michael's Academy community, our collective health relies on all of us (students, parents, and staff) adhering to the guidelines outlined in the Daily symptom checklist and remaining home if ill.
Thank you for partnering with us in keeping everyone healthy! If you have any other questions, please feel free to call me.
Nurse Maureen Penna, BSN, RN
(413) 782-5246
So, this year we're conducting a virtual Walk-a-thon. We're hoping (counting on) our families embracing the idea and running (walking) with it! In your child's backpack today, is paperwork outlining the specifics. Please take time this weekend to review it and to begin making plans with your child(ren). Half the fun for the kids is planning, discussing and anticipating the event...don't miss out on that. The other half will be in spending a great time with your family. 
Please continue to ensure that your children are eating well, getting a good night sleep, establishing study spaces in the home free from distractions, and using their planners to keep track of their work. More details about successful learning can be found 
