News from the Nurse


Welcome to the North Andover Middle School Health Office
 

Welcome Back to the 

2020-2021 School Year



Here is some IMPORTANT INFORMATION for starting the new school year:


Before coming to school every morning, please assess your child's health. 

Please STAY HOME if you have any of the symptoms listed below:


  • Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills 

  • Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

  • New loss of taste or smell

  • Sore throat

  • Muscle aches or body aches

  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

  • 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


OR:

You have had close contact with a person known to be infected with Covid-19 in the last 14 days


OR:

You have traveled outside of Massachusetts in the past 14 days (except lower risk states)


If you have any of the above symptoms, contact your primary care provider for further instructions and get a test for active COVID-19 infection prior to returning to school unless another diagnosis was determined to cause your symptoms. A list of test sites is available here, and Massachusetts also has an interactive testing map



COVID-19 UPDATES: Please continue to check the North Andover Public Schools district website for the latest news and information. Do not hesitate to contact the school nurse at

peasek@northandoverpublicschools.com with any questions or concerns.



Travel Info for North Andover Public Schools Families


If you are planning to travel outside of Massachusetts to a high risk state or out of the country, please be aware of the testing requirements necessary in order to return to school. 

You may:

Show proof of a negative test result for COVID-19 from a PCR test administered on a sample taken no longer than 72 hours before your arrival in Massachusetts.

or

Upon your return, quarantine at home until you are tested in Massachusetts and receive a negative result

or

Quarantine at home for 14 days after your return to Massachusetts

 

Please note that Massachusetts Law requires a PCR (the FDA approved molecular version) test.  Not all COVID tests performed are PCR tests so please confirm it is beforehand.  Here is the state info which includes this information in greater detail.

 

 After you receive your results, please email a copy to the school nurse @  wolfej@northandoverpublicschools.com or peasek@northandoverpublicschools.com or fax results to the NAMS Health Office at (978)794-3619.


Please contact the NAMS Health Office @ (978)557-7902 if you have any questions.


*Lawrence General Hospital  offers PCR COVID-19 tests locally.  Hours and additional info can be found here at the LGH site. Other testing facilities in the area also offer PCR testing.



MEDICATIONS


If your child requires an EpiPen, Inhaler, or a Daily Medication, an order and consent form is required to be filled out by you and your physician that will remain on file in the Health Office for the current school year.  Access to these forms is located here: 

http://www.northandoverpublicschools.com/departments/student-services/health-services/parent-forms


Students are not permitted to carry their own medications except for the following:
  1. Students with diabetes are permitted to keep all their diabetic supplies with them.
  2. Students with asthma are permitted to carry their inhalers with them.
  3. Students with severe allergies are permitted to carry their epi-pens with them.
  4. Students with Cystic Fibrosis are permitted to carry their enzymes with them.

MASKS
ALL children are REQUIRED to wear a mask while in school.  Please send your child in with an extra mask in case they need to change it for any reason. Mask wearing will be strictly enforced.

The 3 W's
Please reinforce with your child the 3 Ws 
These mitigation strategies will be used every day in our school
  • Wear a mask
  • Wash your hands
  • Watch your distance (stay 6 feet apart)
               ATTENTION ALL PARENTS/GUARDIANS
FLU VACCINE

Per the MA DPH, the  influenza immunization will be required for all children 6 months of age or older who are attending Massachusetts schools, colleges and universities in person. The new vaccine requirement is an important step to reduce flu-related illness and ​the overall impact of respiratory illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students will be expected to have received a flu vaccine by December 31, 2020 for the 2020-2021 influenza season, unless either a medical or religious exemption is provided. This new flu immunization requirement to enter school in January is in addition to existing vaccine requirements. 

ATTENTION 6th and 7th GRADE PARENTS/GUARDIANS
Students entering 7th grade are required to have a booster dose of Tdap Vaccine along with a 2nd Chicken Pox Vaccine. Please send documentation of these vaccines to the Health Office. 

Also, be advised that students are required to submit one physical exam while attending the middle school. Please contact your child's physician and make arrangements for him/her to receive their immunization and or physical exam before the start of the school year. Send physician documented dates to the Health Office before the start of the school year or anytime thereafter. Fore more information about entry requirements, see the Parent Health Information page

Thank you for your cooperation with this important matter.

ANNUAL SCREENING FOR STUDENTS
Per DESE guidance, annual screenings are on hold at this time due to 
COVID -19. We will update you if this current guidance changes
Scoliosis Screening
Scoliosis screening is done on all 6th, 7th and 8th graders during PE  and/or Fitness classes. You will receive a letter from the health office if your child needs further evaluation. If you do not want your child to participate in this program please send a doctor's note showing that he/she was screened for scoliosis by the doctor prior to the screening day. The note should go to the nurse.

Vision and Hearing Screening
All 7th grade students will have vision/hearing screening. Again, you will receive a letter from the health office if your child needs further evaluation.

Heights and weights with BMI calculation*
All 7th graders will have their height, weight and BMI calculated.

*Please know that if you prefer not to have your child participate in a screening, you need to submit a written note to the Health Office.

 Nursing Staff 


Kathleen Pease BSN, RN, NCSN,
Jessica Wolfe BSN, RN

North Andover Middle School 
495 Main Street
North Andover, MA 01845

978-557-7902 - School Nurse 
978-794-1870 - Main Office Phone
978-794-3619 - Main Office Fax


When should you keep your child home from school?

Please see the