BUTLER FAMILY NEWSLETTER
In this edition: A Week in Review, Fee Waivers from the District, a Message from Ms. Harteveldt
September 25, 2025
From Dr. Nolan
Today was our first rainy day with indoor recess. This is a reminder to ensure your student is dressed appropriately for the weather, and most of the time, this means wearing layers!
On Tuesday, we had a productive PTA meeting. Thank you to all of our board members and volunteers. For more information about the Butler PTA, visit their events webpage.
School Pictures
School Picture Day was today! It is not too late to order pictures. You can do so here!
Did you know about fee waivers?
Fee waivers ensure all students can participate in Belmont Public Schools programs, regardless of financial circumstances. Read here to learn more.
Important Dates to Remember:
October 8th: National Walk to School Day
October 9th: School Advisory Council: Agenda and Link 6:00-7:00
October 13th: No School
October 16th: PTA Event- Comellas
October 17th: Fun Run
October 21st: PTA Board Meeting
November 5th: Early Release 11:40 am
November 11th: No School
November 12th: Early Release 11:40 am
November 14th: Talent Show
November 17th: PTA Event- Fiorellas’ Fundraiser
November 19th: Early Release 11:40 am
November 21st: Coffee with the Principal
November 26th: Early Release 11:40 am
November 27th, 28th: No School
December 9th: PTA Hanami Fundraiser
December 11th: School Advisory 6:00 pm
December 19th: Coffee with the Principal
December 22-January 2nd: Winter Break
I look forward to seeing you around school. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns at 617-993-5550 or enolan@belmontschools.net.
It’s going to be a great year!
All the best,
Beth
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Notes from the Nurse
Illness Guidelines
Fall is officially here and so are the germs. As we enter the cold and flu season, please keep in mind our illness policy. There are times when a student should remain at home for their own welfare and for the protection of other students and staff.
The following criteria can be used to determine when a student should remain at home:
A cold in the contagious stage (first few days)
Fever of 100 degrees or higher during the past 24 hours (fever should be under 100 for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications before returning to school)
Sore throat and swollen neck glands accompanied by a fever
Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
Upper respiratory illness with significant coughing and/or nasal discharge Respiratory Virus Guidelines (COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV)
Undiagnosed rash or skin eruptions
Earache, red eyes, or drainage from eyes
If they have been diagnosed with a communicable disease (strep throat, scarlet fever, fifth’s disease, chicken pox, etc)
Students may return to school when their symptoms are improving, they have been fever free for 24 hours, and they feel well enough to make it through the school day. Please check your child’s temperature; ensure they are "fever-free" (less than 100.0) for twenty-four hours without taking a fever-reducing medication such as Tylenol or Advil before returning to school.
If your child is still requiring frequent over the counter medications for cough, fever, or other symptoms, they are not well enough to return to school. Please be sure to keep them home until they are able to make it through the day without medication.
If prescribed antibiotics for an infection, please be sure to keep your child home for 24 hours once starting the medication. Remember, the essentials of good health are good nutrition, plenty of fluids, regular exercise, and adequate rest.
Upcoming Vaccine Clinic for Students
Has your child received their flu vaccine yet? On Wednesday October 1 from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, Osco Pharmacy staff will be available to provide vaccines to eligible individuals Available vaccines include Flu, COVID, Pneumonia, RSV, Shingles, and Tetanus vaccines. The vaccine clinic will take place in the Belmont Middle School Cafeteria 221 Concord Ave (Please enter the building through the Field House/Door 21 of the middle school). Prescription insurance cards are required. Flu, COVID, and many vaccines are covered by insurance with no copay. Click to register for an appointment: Starmarket OSCO/vaccinations/BelmontSchools 10-1-2025
Vision and Hearing Screenings
Students in grades K-3 are screened annually for vision and hearing in accordance with Massachusetts General Law. Notification is sent home if a child does not pass the screenings in the form of a letter. If you do not receive a letter, you can assume that your child has passed the basic school screening.
School screenings are not intended to substitute for medical care but are designed to ensure that students are able to participate in the school learning environment to the best of their abilities. If your child has been recently screened by their provider, screenings may not be done at school. Screenings will begin this week with kindergarten students and will continue throughout the fall into the winter months.
Head Lice Awareness Month
Time to look for head lice! Now that summer activities with friends are over, it is time to inspect your child’s scalp for lice. There have been reported cases of lice. As a reminder, head lice are not uncommon in school aged children. Statistics show that head lice are found in 3-5% of the elementary population at any given time. Head lice are not harmful, do not carry disease, and live exclusively on the human scalp. Routine regular inspection of children’s heads by parents and guardians is ESSENTIAL to combat the spread. Please become familiar with our head ice guidelines
Instructions for inspecting and treating head lice are available in my office and on the BPS website. If you have any questions about what you are looking for or what you might be seeing, please do not hesitate to contact me.
More information: MA Department of Public Health American Academy of Pediatrics
Lisa Harteveldt BSN, RN
Butler School Nurse
617-993-5556