MRE Update

Mon. Feb. 17th - Fri. Feb. 21st

February Break ~ School Closed

Thursday, Mar. 6th
Early Release Day
Student Conferences (afternoon and evening)

Friday, Mar. 14th
Early Release Day

Student Conferences (afternoon only)

For the safety of all our students, please observe these critical transportation rules:

• Do not drive in the designated bus lane at any time near or during dismissal. This includes LBMS dismissal as well.
• Never pass transportation vans when their lights are flashing - this indicates students are boarding or exiting
• When you see flashing lights on any school vehicle, stop and wait until the lights are off
  
  These rules aren't just about following protocol - they protect our children's lives. Every moment of patience helps ensure all students can safely enter and exit their transportation vehicles.

Changes to Dismissal Plans

• Complete a Change of Dismissal Form for any dismissal changes
• You will receive email confirmation when your form is processed
• Sending a copy to the teacher is optional
• No need to contact MREattendance@nrsd.net
  
  

Early Pick-up & Arrival Guidelines

• Early pick-ups must be no later than 2:45 PM, as the office manages dismissal, special education transportation, and buses after this time
• When scheduling early pick-ups or late arrivals, please consider your child's lunch and recess times to minimize disruption to their day

To minimize classroom disruptions, we've implemented a new process for forgotten items:

• A cart will be located outside the MRE office door. Please leave the item(s) on the cart.
• Items must have your child's name clearly marked
• Classroom teachers will receive email notifications about dropped-off items and students will have the opportunity to pick them up at a natural break time in the day
  
  

This is also an opportunity for students to practice flexibility and responsibility. Here are a few common examples:

• Forgot snow gear? Recess activities can be adapted if snow gear is forgotten
• Forgot water bottle? Water is provided for all students
• Library books can be swapped out another time. Students will have the opportunity to preview books like they usually would, they just turn it back in at the end of library

Back by popular demand, the Literacy Team is excited to bring back the February Break Reading Log! For every 20 minutes of reading, students will fill in a heart on their log. Complete the whole sheet to earn a small prize and be entered to win a Barnes & Noble gift card!

A printed copy will be sent home with all students before the break.
Let’s make this vacation our biggest reading challenge yet! Happy reading! ❤️📖✨

Recently, there have been several confirmed cases of INFLUENZA (FLU) school wide at Mary Rowlandson.

Influenza (Flu) virus is a contagious respiratory illness that can infect the nose, throat and at times the lungs. The flu is spread by droplets from person to person. Illness from the influenza virus can be mild to severe and at times can result in death. Symptoms of the flu typically come on suddenly, which is unlike your typical cold. The best protection against the influenza virus is to get your annual influenza vaccination.

Some common symptoms of Influenza (Flu) virus include:

• Fever, chills

• Cough

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Muscle or body aches

• Headaches

• Fatigue

• Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)

Influenza virus can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes on a person or by talking. Although not common, influenza can spread on surfaces. The most important steps to stop the spread of illness is proper hand washing and vaccination.

If your child has developed symptoms of the flu, please reach out to their pediatrician for evaluation. Your child should stay home from school until they are fever free without the use of medication and/or vomiting or diarrhea free for 24 hours as well as having improvement in their symptoms. If your child receives a diagnosis of the flu, please contact your school nurse about their return to school.

What should you do to prevent the spread of influenza?

• Stay home when you are sick

• Thoroughly wash your hands and your child’s hands after any contact with mouth and nasal secretions and before eating or preparing food.

• Wash all dishes in hot, soapy water or dishwasher.

• Do not allow the sharing of food or allow children to share cups, straws, spoons, or toys that are put into the mouth. In the bathroom: keep toothbrushes separate, do not share face cloths or use a common glass in the bathroom.
  
  

Please visit the following websites to learn more about the Influenza virus:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm

https://healthychildren.org/English/Pages/default.asp

Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations require a physical examination, including documentation of immunizations, and vision screening in kindergarten, fourth grade, seventh grade and tenth grade, and for transfer students into any grade. This good health practice exists for the prevention and early detection of health problems as well as for the protection of all children in the public school system. For all students currently in 4th grade or 5th grade who did not submit a physical, please forward a copy of this physical exam at your earliest convenience. You may send in, email or fax a copy of these physical exams to lkilduff@nrsd.net, or via secure nurse fax at 978-965-3967.

This is a common time of year for head lice. Please check your child’s hair regularly and remind them to avoid direct head to head contact and avoid sharing hats, hair accessories, and personal items. If you notice any signs of lice, such as itching or visible nits, please inform the school nurse and/or reach out to their pediatrician for guidance. Since lice do not jump or fly, are not considered a contagious disease and do not cause illness, children do not need to stay home from school nor should they be isolated from others.

Things to do if/when you find lice on your child:

• Complete a treatment on your child's hair (Do not retreat until 7-14 days later and only if needed, please refer to box label)

• Continue to check their hair daily for nits and remove them if so. Please do this for at least 2-3 weeks.

• Wash and dry on hot water and high heat settings: bedding, towels, frequently worn hats, jackets, sweatshirts, fleece.

• Items that cannot be washed such as stuffed animals, dolls etc can be sealed in a plastic bag for 2 weeks.

• Soak your child's brush/comb/hair accessories in very hot water for 5-10 minutes

• Thoroughly vacuum rugs, upholstered furniture and mattresses

• Do not spray pesticides in your home
  
  

To help prevent future occurrences:

• Discourage prolonged head to head contact with friends, family, siblings etc.

• Though not as common as a mode of transmission, avoid sharing things such as combs/brushes, hats, hair accessories etc.

• Keep hair in ponytails

Helpful websites for more information on lice:

Johns Hopkins Medicine:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/no-panic-guide-to-head-lice-treatment

NASN:

https://www.nasn.org/nasn-resources/professional-practice-documents/position-statements/ps-head-lice

AAP:

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/from-insects-animals/Pages/signs-of-lice.aspx

CDC: How to examine head lice:

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/resources/pdf/headliceflyer.pdf

Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/head-lice-pediculosis

Healthy eating is an important step to being able to learn. If children don’t eat well balanced meals and snacks, they will be unavailable for learning. Eating breakfast daily has many benefits. These can include a healthier body weight, better attention and memory as well as improvements in their health and well-being. Improper nutrition can lead to problems in all of these areas.

Many of our children have been coming to school without eating breakfast. Some classes do not have a morning snack, therefore your child may not eat any food until they eat lunch. Please encourage your child to eat breakfast every morning.

Some tips may include:

• Plan breakfast the night before

• Encourage eating a variety of food from the all of the food groups (fruit, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, protein)

• Encourage your child to eat a rainbow of colors

• Eat together as a family

• Have grab and go options available

• Breakfast bars

• Yogurt

• Nuts

• Muffins

• Fresh or dried fruit

• Think of nontraditional breakfast options

• Left overs

• Breakfast shakes

In addition to eating a regular breakfast, children should also come to school with a healthy snack every day. Avoiding processed foods or food with added sugars helps to keep your child full longer and helps improve their nutritional intake and overall well-being.

Some snack ideas can include:

• Fruits & vegetables

• Cheese sticks and crackers

• Granola bars

• Yogurt

• Popcorn

• Rice cakes

• Nuts

• Nut butters or nut alternatives

For more information, please visit the following websites:

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Breakfast-for-Learning.aspx

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Choosing-Healthy-Snacks-for-Children.aspx

https://www.healthychildren.org/english/healthy-living/nutrition/pages/default.aspx

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/nutrition/Pages/Making-Healthy-Food-Choices.aspx

Best,

Lyndsey Kilduff, MSN, RN

she/her/hers

School Nurse

Phone: 978-365-5870

Secure Fax: 978-965-3967

Check out the PTO newsletter to learn about the latest and greatest news & events!

• Valentine's Bingo Fundraiser
• Movie Ticket Bundles
• MRE Spirit Wear... and so much more!

Are you looking for a way to earn extra income while maintaining a flexible schedule? Do you want a role that aligns with your child's school hours, or are you a former teacher looking to stay connected to education? Consider becoming a substitute—opportunities are available!

If you're interested or know someone who might be, please check the following link for more details:
https://www.nrsd.net/page/substitute-teaching

Thank you for considering this meaningful way to support our school!

Lancaster Dispatch
(978) 733-1047

nkelly@deebus.com

**Events posted on the bulletin board are community events, and as such they

Youth Model Rocket Launch event. See PDF below for details.