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Click the link above to see an interactive map of testing sites in Massachusetts
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During quarantine, it is great to get outside and enjoy the fresh air but please remember to protect yourselves from Ticks. Typically, nymph stage Deer Ticks are active from early May through early August and adult stage deer ticks are active September through May. Tick-borne disease is a year round concern.

Nymph Deer Ticks are about the size of a poppy seed. Adult  Deer Ticks are about the size of a sesame seed. Ticks attach to people, pets, or other animals that brush against them.

Prevention and removal: If you wear light colored clothing, it makes it easier to see ticks. It is recommended to use repellents and remove a tick immediately and correctly (Do not use matches, petroleum jelly, gasoline, nail polish remover etc). Note on a calendar the date of removal and save the tick for identification and testing. 

A few tips from the MV Board of Health:

Shower or bathe as soon as possible after working outdoors to wash off and check for ticks.
Remember to check your hair, underarms, and groin for ticks.
Immediately remove ticks from your body using fine-tipped tweezers.
Grasp the tick firmly and as close to your skin as possible (as shown in photo below)
Pull the tick's body away from your skin with a steady motion.
Clean the area with soap and water. Call your physician.
Removing infected ticks within 24 hours reduces your risk of being infected with the Lyme disease bacterium.

Dear Families, 

We are noticing many of our middle school students are tired during their class meetings and some students are missing meetings because they are not yet awake. It is reasonable that students are experiencing an increase in screen time  during this period. With that said, too much screen time and using screens late at night can negatively impact your Child’s health and performance. We would like to help by providing some suggestions and facts regarding children and healthy sleep habits. 

According to The American Academy of Pediatrics, Children 6 to 12 years of age should sleep 9 to 12 hours each night. Teenagers should get at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Getting the right kind of sleep is important. 

Teens are naturally entering a phase when their bodies want to go to sleep later. Try to create a schedule with your teen. Have your teen wake up at the same time each day, preferably before 9am, and follow the same morning routine they would as if they were going to school; eat breakfast, get dressed and brush their teeth. If your middle schooler is going to wake up by 9 am, they should be asleep by 11pm, at the latest. To help them fall asleep, restrict electronics for at least one hour before the desired bedtime and develop a “winding down” routine. 

If possible, school work should be completed outside of the student’s bedroom. It makes it easier to fall asleep if the bedroom is associated with sleep and not with electronic usage and work. If your child is using electronics late into the evening, it can negatively impact their ability to fall asleep. If you are concerned your child is using electronics when they are not supposed to be, have your child place their devices outside their room (and in your room if needed) when electronic time ends.

Getting enough physical activity can help children sleep better. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children get 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Ideally they will go out in the yard, but indoor physical activity, such as yoga and stretching, is also effective. 

If you are struggling with your child’s  sleep habits, please feel free to reach out to our school nurse, guidance or your pediatricians office for advice.

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Julie Love: Life Balance Tips During Covid
 
Routine - Maintain a fairly regular schedule. Go to bed and get up on time (whatever “on time” means for you). Eat regular meals, not just snacks.
Hygiene Shower regularly. Get up, get dressed. Staying in your pajamas is a luxury only when it’s rare. Wash your face, brush your hair. Casual is fine, but maintain a standard of looking “presentable,” even if you’re not seeing anyone.

Work Space -If you are working from home, set aside a place to be your work space. Let others know that when you’re there, you’re at work. Let yourself know that when you walk away from it, you’re leaving work.

Goals -Set goals to achieve. Consider making three lists: Grand Plans, Sizable Tasks, Simple Things. Depending on your energy level, choose. Some days you might work towards a major accomplishment, others you might feel totally useless – but you can at least empty the dishwasher, and that’s something.

Schedule - Especially if you have kids at home, having the day planned out helps. You might even set alarms on your phone to signal when to move from one activity to the next. Take advantage of the Palovian response the schools have trained into your children when they hear the bell. The familiarity of such a system will be reassuring to them, and it’s better than sticking with each activity until the fighting starts.

Move - Get up and move, even just to stretch, at least every hour. If you have a place to do it, go out for fresh air and sunshine every day. Go for a walk, or find an online video workout. Stretch. Breathe deeply.

Connect- Look at people whenever you can. Forget “elbow bumps” (unless your arms are freakishly long, you can’t stay six feet apart and do one) – greet everyone you see with eye contact, and a knowing smile. Phone friends, use FaceTime or Zoom, write letters or emails, especially to those you haven’t contacted in a while. Check in on those you know live alone. Do little favors for each other.

Communicate-Tell others what you want and need. When stressed, our thoughts are so pressing, we assume they must be obvious to everyone else, and so often interpret others’ failure to do what we want as lack of caring, rather than lack of mind-reading. So if you need to take a break, if you need support, if you want something done, say so. Check in with each other frequently, ask how they’re feeling. Consider setting up clear indicators, like “If I’m wearing a hat, please only talk to me if you absolutely have to.”

Moderate Media—Choose a reliable source for information, and check it once daily for a limited time. And if you’re stressed, skip a day. Similarly, check in with yourself before choosing what else to watch or listen to. What feels like cleansing satire one day might be too painful another. It’s always okay to say, “I’m really not up for this right now.” In our modern world, it will still be there for you to see later, if/when you feel like it.

Sympathize-Let yourself and those around you express how they feel. This whole situation is really hard, really upsetting. Whatever pain it causes is real, and counts. Stop playing Misery Poker. In a world where a child is sad to miss a birthday party, a teen is worried about derailed college plans, an adult is stressed about losing their house, and an elder is afraid they might die, everyone deserves validation and comfort

Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019: Messages for parents, school staff, and others working with children
As public conversations around coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increase, children may worry about themselves, their family, and friends getting ill with COVID-19. Parents, family members, school staff, and other trusted adults can play an important role in helping children make sense of what they hear in a way that is honest, accurate, and minimizes anxiety or fear. CDC has created guidance to help adults have conversations with children about COVID-19 and ways they can avoid getting and spreading the disease.

General principles for talking to childrenRemain calm and reassuring.

• Remember that children will react to both what you say and how you say it. They will pick up cues from the conversations you have with them and with others.

Make yourself available to listen and to talk.

• Make time to talk. Be sure children know they can come to you when they have questions.

Avoid language that might blame others and lead to stigma.

• Remember that viruses can make anyone sick, regardless of a person’s race or ethnicity. Avoid making assumptions about who might have COVID-19.

Pay attention to what children see or hear on television, radio, or online.

• Consider reducing the amount of screen time focused on COVID-19. Too much information on one topic can lead to anxiety.

Provide information that is honest and accurate.

• Give children information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child.
• Talk to children about how some stories on COVID-19 on the Internet and social media may be based on rumors and inaccurate information.

Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs.

• Remind children to stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing or sick.
• Remind them to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, then throw the tissue into the trash.
• Discuss any new actions that may be taken at school to help protect children and school staff.
  (e.g., increased handwashing, cancellation of events or activities)
• Get children into a handwashing habit.
  • Teach them to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
  • If soap and water are not available, teach them to use hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol. Supervise young children when they use hand sanitizer to prevent swallowing alcohol, especially in schools and child care facilities.

Facts about COVID-19 for discussions with childrenTry to keep information simple and remind them that health and school officials are working hard to keep everyone safe and healthy.
What is COVID-19?

• COVID-19 is the short name for “coronavirus disease 2019.” It is a new virus. Doctors and scientists are still learning about it.
• Recently, this virus has made a lot of people sick. Scientists and doctors think that most people will be ok, especially kids, but some people might get pretty sick.
• Doctors and health experts are working hard to help people stay healthy.

What can I do so that I don’t get COVID-19?

• You can practice healthy habits at home, school, and play to help protect against the spread of COVID-19:
  • Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. If you sneeze or cough into a tissue, throw it in the trash right away.
  • Keep your hands out of your mouth, nose, and eyes. This will help keep germs out of your body.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Follow these five steps—wet, lather (make bubbles), scrub (rub together), rinse and dry. You can sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.
  • If you don’t have soap and water, have an adult help you use a special hand cleaner.
  • Keep things clean. Older children can help adults at home and school clean the things we touch the most, like desks, doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls. (Note for adults: you can find more information about cleaning and disinfecting on CDC’s website.)
  • If you feel sick, stay home. Just like you don’t want to get other people’s germs in your body, other people don’t want to get your germs either.

What happens if you get sick with COVID-19?

• COVID-19 can look different in different people. For many people, being sick with COVID-19 would be a little bit like having the flu. People can get a fever, cough, or have a hard time taking deep breaths. Most people who have gotten COVID-19 have not gotten very sick. Only a small group of people who get it have had more serious problems. From what doctors have seen so far, most children don’t seem to get very sick. While a lot of adults get sick, most adults get better.
• If you do get sick, it doesn’t mean you have COVID-19. People can get sick from all kinds of germs. What’s important to remember is that if you do get sick, the adults at home and school will help get you any help that you need.
• If you suspect your child may have COVID-19, call the healthcare facility to let them know before you bring your child in to see them.

Text the keyword COVIDMA to 888-777 to receive updates related to COVID-19  from state and public health officials.