Saints Academy Families:

We have had many children complain about sore throats, stomach aches, allergies/cold symptoms, as well as some Covid cases in the past couple of weeks and wanted to include some information for your reference. In August 2022, the DPH updated their Covid-19 Isolation period. We have included a chart and current DESE/DPH Protocols (attached).

Please keep us informed of any changes that could impact your child's mental and/or physical health. Our goal is to keep our student's safe, healthy, and ready to learn. We appreciate your efforts in keeping your children home from school if they are sick. 

Thank you and please call with any questions or concerns.

In good health,

Kelly Gray, RN

Sian Jones, RN

DESE/DPH Protocol

Student Five Day Isolation Chart

Saints Academy Families:

We would like to share some important information with you about Norovirus or the “stomach bug” that has affected a handful of students in our school community. 

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation of the stomach or intestines, which is called acute gastroenteritis.  Norovirus is sometimes called the stomach flu or stomach bug. However, norovirus illness is not related to the flu which is caused by influenza virus.

Norovirus is transmitted by:

• Having direct contact with an infected person (for example, by caring for or sharing foods or eating utensils with an infected person or changing diapers of a sick child.)
• Consuming contaminated food or water.
• Touching contaminated surfaces and then putting your unwashed hands in your mouth. 
• Sharing toilet facilities with an ill person.
• Cleaning up vomit or diarrhea from an infected person without proper protective equipment.

The most common symptoms of Norovirus are:

• diarrhea
• vomiting
• nausea
• stomach pain

Other symptoms may include:

• fever
• headache
• body aches 

If you have Norovirus illness, you can feel extremely ill and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses. Norovirus can be found in your vomit or feces (poop) even before you start feeling sick. The virus can also stay in your feces for two weeks or more after you feel better. It is important to wash your hands often during this time. Hand sanitizers are recommended as well, but not as a substitute for hand washing. 

A person usually develops symptoms 12-48 hours after being exposed to norovirus. Most people get better within 1-3 days. Most common infections occur between the months of November and April. 

Prevention of Norovirus:

• Proper hand hygiene
• Safe food handling
• Stay home from school or work, do not prepare food or care for others when you are sick.
• Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces or objects as soon as possible.

There is no treatment for Norovirus, but it is important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea.

As always, handwashing is the first line of defense in prevention and to decrease the chance of spreading this contagious virus to others. 

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

In good health,

Kelly Gray, RN
Sian Jones, RN 

Dear Saints Academy Families,

We would like to share some friendly reminders/updates from the nurses office. First of all, we would like to thank you for keeping your child/children home when they are sick. Flu season is upon us and with the uptick of Covid-19 cases in the area, we need to be vigilant in following the daily attestation form and having your child stay home if they are exhibiting any symptoms of the flu or Covid.  Flu season in Massachusetts usually starts in the fall and runs through the spring. The main symptoms of the flu include fever in combination with a cough and/or sore throat. Some people may have a runny nose, body aches, headaches, chills and feel tired. Some people may also have diarrhea and vomiting. (more prevalent in young children). Your child may return to school if they no longer have a fever (100.0) and have been without fever reducing medications for 24 hours. For more information about influenza you can check out the following websites: www.mass.gov/flu, www.cdc.gov/flu, www.immunize.org. 

Since these symptoms are similar to Covid, (fever, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, new loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, cough, sore throat, muscle or body aches) feel free to reach out to us in the nurse's office or consult with your child’s pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns regarding symptoms.

Please call the school anytime your child will be out. We make daily phone calls if we are unaware of an absence.

We would also like to thank you all for following our school and local BOH protocols regarding testing and quarantining your children. Covid cases are closely monitored by the Board of Health in the town/city in which you live as well as by the Beverly BOH and The Catholic Schools Office. If your child tests positive or has been identified as a close contact, expect a call from the BOH for contact tracing and quarantine information. It is important that we follow their guidance for quarantining and isolating in the house, if necessary. We must adhere to these guidelines to maintain a healthy school environment and to keep our children in the classroom.

If your child is tested for Covid, please make sure it is a PCR test and keep them home until results are available. All test results should be sent in to the nurses office before a child can return to school. All siblings must also remain home until cleared by the BOH. 

Salem is continuing their efforts in the Stop the Spread initiative by providing a free state testing program. Salem High School is a drive-through site open Monday-Friday from 4-8PM. Saturdays from 10AM-3PM. St. Peter’s Church is a walk-up testing site open Monday-Thursday from 9AM-3PM. Friday from 9AM-2PM. Allow 1-3 days for test results. 

Thanksgiving hours are as follows: Salem High School Monday and Tuesday 4-8PM. Saturday 10AM-3PM. Closed Wed-Fri. St. Peter’s Church Monday and Tuesday 9AM-3PM. Wednesday 8AM-12N and closed Thursday and Friday.

There is also a free walk-up PCR testing site by Curative located in the Riley Plaza. This is a self-administered Covid test and results are available in 24-48 hours. The testing trailer is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30AM-4:30PM. No appointment is necessary. 

The air purifiers are up and running with new filters which should last throughout the remainder of the school year. Windows are still open and fans can now be removed from the windows. Please have your child dress appropriately for the weather as we take advantage of outside time as often as possible.  

Although we cannot mandate vaccinating your children with the flu and Covid vaccine,  we highly recommend it. According to the CDC, Covid-19 is recommended for everyone 5 years and older. Learn more about protecting your child at cdc.gov.

Thank you and we hope you have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

In good health,

Kelly Gray, RN  

Sian Jones, RN 

We would like to say thank you to all of the teachers and staff at The Saints Academy for a great year, and what a year it has been! Each and every one of you has risen above and beyond the many challenges of the past year with your resilience, ingenuity, passion and strength during these unprecedented times. We are so fortunate to be a part of such a great community of educators and we appreciate your hard work and dedication to your students and school each and every day. 

Thank you and happy teacher appreciation week!

In good health,

Kelly Gray

Sian Jones

Hello Parents!

With the long weekend coming up and having extra time, we thought it would be a good chance to pay attention to things that sometimes get overlooked. We are noticing dry skin-hands and lips in particular. With all the hand washing and sanitizing going on, it's no wonder their skin is dry. Let's take a 3 day challenge to be mindful of lotion on their hands and chap stick on their iips every night before bed (at least). Aquaphor is one of my favorite lotions as it is thick and works really well. As skin is the largest organ in your body (8 pounds and 22 square feet!) and your first line of defense, we need to take better care of it. Have a great weekend, and lotion up!

In good health,

Sian and Kelly

We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and safe New Year! 

In good health,

Sian Jones and Kelly Gray

To all Saints Academy families:

We would like to wish all of you a very happy, safe and blessed Thanksgiving Day. We are grateful for your continued support.

Hello Everyone,

Please make sure your child brings a water bottle to school daily! 

Fun facts:

• Water makes up 60-70% of your body weight.
• Dehydration can cause headaches, bad breath, muscle cramps and feeling thirsty. 
• Drinking 64 oz of water a day is recommended for optimal hydration. 
• When hydrated, you will have more energy, fight off illness and have a better mood.

Proper hydration is a key to good health!

Hello parents!

With cold, flu and Covid season upon us, we thought we'd like to share some tips for staying healthy. Zinc has become a popular treatment for the common cold, according to webMD. Some studies have indicated that zinc lozenges help reduce the severity and duration of a cold. Vit D has also shown some promise in prevention of illness. Of course, getting enough sleep, adequate hydration, and good nutrition will help as well. 

In good health,

The Nurses

Saints families,

Tick season is upon us and we would like to give you some information on how to combat these pesky critters. Tick exposure can occur year-round, but they are most active during the warmer months (April-September.) They can be active any time the temperature is above freezing. 

Ticks can be found in wooded or grassy areas where they feed on deer, rabbits, birds, mice, rodents, our pets and humans. They can also be found in urban areas as well as on beaches in coastal areas.  

Ticks hate the smell of lemon, orange, cinnamon, lavender, peppermint, and rose geranium and will avoid latching on to anything that smells like these scents. You can add them to almond oil and rub them on exposed skin for a natural repellent. You can find information on making your own DIY tick repellents at https://www.thespruce.com.

To help protect yourself and your family, you should:

1. Use a chemical repellent with DEET, permethrin or picaridin.
2. Wear light-colored protective clothing.
3. Tuck pant legs into socks.
4. Avoid tick-infested areas.
5. Check yourself, your children, and your pets daily for ticks and carefully remove any ticks.

6. Wear a hat.

Protect your pets and talk to your veterinarian about tick-repelling products. 

After you have been in an area where ticks are found, inspect your clothing and body for ticks. Drying your clothes on high heat for 10 minutes can kill ticks on your clothing.

Showering can also help to wash off any unattached ticks on your body. 

For more information on tick removal you can visit: https://www.healthline.com/health/tick-removal.

In good health,

Kelly Gray

Sian Jones

Dear Saints Academy families,

Now that the weather is getting seasonably colder, we would like to let you know that we go outside every chance we get. Please have your children wear warm coats, hats and mittens and bring a mat to sit on for days when we eat outside, weather permitting. 

Thank you and have a great weekend!

In good health,

Sian Jones and Kelly Gray