Message from your BPS School Nurses: Illness and Symptom Checker Reminder 

We continue to experience an increase in COVID cases.

Everyone must continue to do a daily symptom check per the symptom checker protocol.  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. 

Testing Positive 

If your child tests positive for COVID PLEASE fill out your school’s absence form. Your school nurses will answer your questions and emails during school hours of operation. BPS Testing Positive . 

BURBANK absence follow up form 

BUTLER absence follow up form 

WELLINGTON absence follow up form 

WINN BROOK absence follow up form 

CHENERY absence follow up form

BELMONT HIGH SCHOOL absence follow up form

At-home Antigen Tests - Recommended Use 

• If your child is experiencing symptoms it is recommended to test daily (and wear a MASK) while experiencing symptoms 
• Test if your child has been identified as a close contact (test 5 days from last exposure or later)

Pooled Testing

Many individuals who have consented are no longer submitting tests. With an increase in cases, this IS the time to test. You must already have a consent on file to participate.

IMPORTANT

If you are participating in pooled testing and receive an email from VERITAS, PLEASE open it immediately. Individuals who are in a positive pool will have their samples individually tested. This email will contain your child’s individual results. If the results are positive, your child must begin isolation immediately.

Mask Reminders

Please note that masks must be worn at all times when in the school health office. The Middlesex county community level of COVID cases remains high. Although the mask mandate has been lifted, there are times when masks are strongly recommended:

• All unvaccinated individuals are to be masked when around others, other than when eating, drinking, or outside

• Following the 5-day isolation period after testing positive, wear a mask for 5 additional days when around others, other than when eating, drinking, or outside.

• Unvaccinated individuals identified as close contacts (upon return to school after 5 days of quarantine), wear a mask, other than when eating, drinking, or outside, and conduct active monitoring for symptoms through day 10

• Wear a mask for 10 days if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19  regardless of your vaccination status. This includes cases within the home. 

• Symptomatic individuals returning to school with improving symptoms and a negative COVID test (best practice would include wearing a mask until symptoms are fully resolved).

With the surge in cases and increase in illnesses overall, please consider having your child wear a mask when in school.

• Consider having your student wear a mask while in school.  We are not mandating but strongly recommend this added layer of protection.
• Wear a mask if any symptoms are present and antigen tests remain negative.
• Wear a mask for 10 days if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19  regardless of your vaccination status. This includes cases within the home. CDC guidance
• Parents, guardians, and family members are strongly encouraged to wear a mask when visiting our schools. Masks will be made available at all schools.

Vaccinations and Upcoming Clinic

Vaccination for COVID-19 remains the best way to protect everyone from COVID-19 and related complications. The vaccine is safe and free and available to everyone age 5 and over. 

Vaccination can help to protect individuals from COVID-19, prevent serious illness if they do get infected with a breakthrough case, keep them in school longer, and protect those around them including high risk family members and younger siblings who may not yet be eligible for the vaccine.If your child has not yet received the vaccine, please reach out to your school nurse with any questions or for guidance on how and where to get your child vaccinated.

The Belmont Health Department will be hosting another COVID Vaccine Clinic on May 25, 2022 at Beth El Temple Center. Please refer to this link for more information. Use this link to register 

Information about second booster shots for eligible groups four months removed from receiving a first booster of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Those eligible include:

• Individuals 50 years of age and older at least 4 months after getting a first booster

• Individuals 18 and older with certain medical conditions may get a second Moderna booster at least 4 months after first booster

• Individuals 12 and older with certain medical conditions may get a second Pfizer booster at least 4 months after the first booster.

• In addition, per the CDC, individuals 18 and older who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Be Well!

BPS Nurses

BPS Nursing Health and Safety