Per Diem Nurses Wanted

We are looking for per diem Registered Nurses to provide nursing care to our students and staff in our clinics & on field trips. Please contact Nancy Jenks at (413) 493-5000 or njenks@granbyschoolsma.net for more information.

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Weekly Health Services & Wellness Committee Newsletter

There have been multiple reports of schools closed during this past week for wide-spread illness.  Although our schools are not at a critical level of illness as reported on the news, our nursing staff are seeing a variety of flu-like illness, viral cold symptoms, and GI symptoms (stomachaches, vomiting, and diarrhea) across both buildings. Massachusetts public health data reflects a “very high” rate of flu (Influenza) across all regions of Massachusetts.  

To ensure the health and well-being of all students and staff, we kindly ask that you keep your child/student home if they exhibit the following symptoms --fever, new cough, sore throat, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.  Individuals should remain at home until they are symptom-free for at least 24 hours without the use of medication.

Please use these questions during flu/illness season to determine whether your child should attend school.

Can my Child Return to School?

Has your child had a fever of 100.0F degrees  or higher in the past 24 hours?

Has your child received Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) to reduce a fever in the past 24 hours?

Has your child vomited and/or had diarrhea within the past 24 hours?

If you answered YES to any of the above questions, please keep your child home for at least another day to observe for additional symptoms. Then use the checklist questions again to decide whether you should continue to keep your child home.

If you answered NO to all of the above questions, your child can return to school.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our schools a healthy place for learning! If you have any health related questions, please contact your School Nurse. If you have any questions related to attendance, please contact your school administration. 

There has been an increase in the number of Norovirus (GI Illness) cases across the state in the last several weeks. The MA Department of Public Health has released an update regarding the guidance for when students and school staff can return to school.

GI illness is defined as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, or abdominal cramps, usually caused by an infection. GI illness outbreaks are commonly caused by norovirus, a very contagious virus that causes a sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea.

Students must be symptom free of vomiting and have gone 24 hours with improvement in diarrhea (stool frequency of no more than 2 above what is normal for the child and if diapered, stools must be contained to the diaper and toilet trained children are not having accidents) without the use of medicine before they can return to school. Students must also be well enough to participate in school.

For school staff, staff must be symptom-free for 24 hours without the use of medicine before they can return to school. Additionally, the state has included school staff who assist in handling food for students, including helping students with eating and opening food containers, etc

See below for the staff and student GI Illness Symptom Checklists for your reference. They will also be found in the weekly nursing newsletter. 

Student GI Illness Symptom Checklist

School Staff Illness Symptom Checklist

To help reduce the spread of germs, we encourage everyone to continue washing your hands often with soap and water or using hand sanitizer if soap and water is not readily available. We also encourage individuals to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth (your "T" zone), cover coughs, and stay home if you are sick. Masks are also available for interested students and staff outside both clinics. 

Please contact our nursing staff with any questions and thank you for your ongoing support and help in keeping each other safe and healthy.

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