As Allergy Season quickly approaches, it is important to remember to stock up on physician recommended allergy medications and to start them NOW. Many allergy symptoms can be the same as COVID-19 symptoms, and will be especially hard to manage when mask wearing is involved. It will be important to recognize when symptoms are allergy related so that we can avoid dismissing students and referring for Covid testing unnecessarily.
Symptoms include itchy eyes and skin, sneezing, nasal congestion, wheezing, and rash. Seasonal allergies can result from grass, weed, tree pollen, or molds. Cat and dog dander allergies are also common. There are many options for over the counter medications (both oral and eye drops) that if administered daily can help manage uncomfortable allergy symptoms.
If you anticipate that your child will be experiencing seasonal allergy symptoms this spring, please ask their pediatrician for a note so that we have record of their diagnosis and any medications they may be taking.
We are all connected and we rely on one another to stay well. If you are experiencing any illness or symptoms, you must stay at home.
Below is the full list of symptoms for which caregivers should monitor their children, and staff should monitor themselves.
Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills or shaking chills
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
New loss of taste or smell
Muscle aches or body aches
Cough (not due to other known causes, such as a chronic cough)
Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms
Headache when in combination with other symptoms
Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms
Covid Testing
A list of test sites is available here, and Massachusetts also has an interactive testing map. If they are tested and receive positive results please notify your school nurse ASAP. You should also contact your child’s primary care provider for further instruction.
Schools are required by Massachusetts General Law to provide health screenings for students (M.G.L. Chapter 71, Section 57 and 105 CMR 200.000) and follow up with the results of these screenings with families and referrals to primary health care providers as necessary. Any parent may opt out of specific screenings by submitting a written request to the school nurse. Please use the link below for more details on grade level health screening information.
