CHIPS Weekly Update

CHIPS will be holding a virtual information session for the 2025-26 school year on Thursday, 1/30 at 6:00pm. The link for this session is below. This information session is for prospective families. If you know any families who have preschool age children, please share this information with them.

Pre-registration for CHIPS for the 2025-26 school year will begin on Friday, 1/31.

Officer Ozzie recently visited the CHIPS classrooms. We had a great time petting and playing with him!

CHIPS will be holding Parent/Teacher conferences in February. Teachers have sent conference sign up information to families. If you have any questions about conferences, please contact your child's teacher directly.

Although there doesn't appear to be any major snow in the forecast, I wanted to share our snow day procedures for future reference. Please reach out if you have any questions.

• February 6- NO SCHOOL- Parent/Teacher Conferences
• February 17-21- NO SCHOOL- February Vacation

Our annual sock drive is underway! Please see the flyer below for more information.

Our next meeting will be on Monday, February 10 at 6:30pm at CHIPS. As always, there will be a link for those who would like to attend virtually. The meeting link is below.

The Stomach Bug ~ VS ~ the FLU

Although it's commonly called Stomach Flu, gastroenteritis is not the same as influenza. Influenza (flu) affects your respiratory system. Gastroenteritis, on the other hand, attacks your intestines, causing signs and symptoms such as:

• Watery diarrhea
• Nausea, vomiting or both
• Stomach cramps and pain
• Occasional muscle aches or headache
• Low-grade fever

The stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, can be spread through the air in some cases, but it's mainly spread through the fecal-oral route. Frequent handwashing is best (or at least sanitizing if nearby), especially after diaper changing. Depending on the cause, viral gastroenteritis symptoms may appear within 1-3 days after you're infected and can range from mild to severe.

Influenza is a respiratory virus. Symptoms of the flu include fever, muscle aches, sore throat, and cough. Receiving the yearly Flu vaccine may lessen your chances of infection. If you experience shortness of breath or trouble breathing, seek further medical assessment.

A Healthy Return to School depends on the wellness of your child. At least 24 -48hrs after their last episode of vomit/diarrhea or fever. Please take into consideration their overall strength and readiness to return. DEHYDRATION takes a toll on our little ones! Hydration and Rest is BEST (Pedialyte/low sugar electrolytes). Notify your health care provider for questions or concerns about Dehydration.

Please review the helpful links below.

Please use our absence line (978-251-5188 Option 0) or use our attendance email (chipsattendance@chelmsford.k12.ma.us) to report your child's absence from school and be sure to state the reason for the absence (illness, appointment, travel, etc). If your child is out due to illness, please let us know the nature of the illness (fever, vomiting, cough, etc.).

Nurse Kristen can be reached by calling the CHIPS main number (978-251-5188) and selecting option 3.

Email: mcguirkm@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://chelmsfordschools.org
Location: 170 Dalton Road, Chelmsford, MA, USA
Phone: (978)251-5188