Health Notices and News

As the holiday season approaches so does the concern of flu and other respiratory illnesses. This flu season we are facing continued concerns of rising COVID infections as well as a rise in RSV infections (respiratory syncytial virus).

In March, 2016, the Massachusetts Legislature passed House bill No. 4056 which outlines the requirements for public schools in the Commonwealth to engage in substance use prevention and education. This legislation mandates that school districts screen students in grades 7 and 9 for substance use every year.

As the holiday season approaches and temperatures begin to cool off, so does the concern of flu and other respiratory illnesses. This flu season we are facing continued concerns of rising COVID infections as well as a rise in RSV infections (respiratory syncytial virus). More people will be gathering indoors in larger crowds.

In preparation for the upcoming 2022-23 school year, the Belmont Public Schools Health team and the Belmont Health Department have been reviewing the released guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and collaborating on ways to continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, the following changes will take place for the Butler and Wellington COVID test days: Butler will submit their tests on Tuesday May 31, 2022. Wellington will submit their tests on Wednesday June 1, 2022, Please register and label your sample tubes appropriately. If your tube is not labeled and registered ahead of time, it may not be processed due to the increased demand on CIC staff.

BPS nurses continue to monitor absences daily and require you to fill out the absence form anytime your child is absent from school due to a failed symptom check. You must also call your child’s school to report their absence. This form does not replace the need to inform administration of an absence.

As many families will be traveling and attending gatherings during the April break, we are also experiencing an increase in COVID cases. Your school nurses would like to take some steps to ensure a healthy transition back to school.

With cold, flu, allergy season, and continuing COVID cases among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, daily symptom checking remains one of our most important mitigation strategies. If your student is sick, keep them home until fever free and symptoms have improved to reduce the spread of all illnesses.

Belmont Board of Health, School Committee, and Select Board have all voted to lift Belmont’s mask mandate. Effective Tuesday, March 8, 2022, masking in school will be optional, but there are times when masks are to be worn. As always, any individual who wishes to continue to mask, including those who face higher risk from COVID-19, will be supported in that choice. DESE and DPH strongly recommend unvaccinated individuals continue to wear masks in school settings.

Thank you to all who have opted-in to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) updated COVID-19 Testing Program. The at-home testing program will increase testing of our participating students and staff, regardless of vaccination status.