November Respect Assembly

Maple Street School hosts monthly community assemblies that focus on our four “Bs” – Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be a Community.

This Keynote presentation was the center point of a “town meeting” style assembly in which we discussed how to intentionally show respect for others.  We hope that by providing access to this, you may have a starting point to discuss the assembly with your family.

We hope it is helpful!  Click the link to see the Keynote slides:

Respect-Assembly

MSS Encourages Paperless Communications

August 4, 2010

Dear Maple Street School Parents and Guardians:

In our ongoing effort to conserve resources, reduce operational costs, and increase efficiency in communicating with you, Maple Street is moving towards a “paperless” environment whenever possible.  However, we do recognize that some families still like to have access to a paper copy, and we want to provide that for you.  If your family is one that would like a paper copy, please fill out the information below and return the form to your child’s teacher(s).  We will make every effort to make sure one copy per family is sent home on our regular Wednesday schedule.

As a reminder, digital copies of Branching Out – The MSS Newsletter, the monthly food services menu, MSS teacher pages, program information, and other important information regarding school and community events are posted and updated regularly on the school website located at: www.hopkintonschools.org/maplestreetschool.  The most current school information to keep you connected is just a “click” away!

Thank you for your support!

Michael Bessette

Principal, Maple Street School

I would like a copy of the following item(s) sent home in paper copy (please circle all that apply):

• Branching Out – The MSS Newsletter
• School Lunch Menu

Oldest MSS Child’s Homeroom Teacher: ______________________________________

Boys and Girls Club Open

The Hopkinton Boys and Girls Club will be open on September 1st for the first day of the school year.  Please contact Bob Carter for more information.

Soaring Through the Cosmos Needs You!

Interested in running a class during the six week enrichment experience held annually at Maple Street School in the end of March through April?  Maple Street School needs you!  Whether you would like to lead a group of students in an activity or just want to lend a hand to support a class leader, you support is greatly appreciated.  Email Mr. Bessette to let him know you have an interest by clicking here.

Revised Bus Routes Posted

First Student Transportation and the Hopkinton School District have released updated bus routes for the 2010 – 2011 School Year.  Click here to download a copy of the new routes.

Cold and Flu Prevention

IT’S HANDWASHING SEASON!

(This was written in the cold and flu season of 2003-04

but still relevant today.)

As you might know, there has been a significant increase of

illness in our school community this week.  I thought as

parents, you should be aware of what students have had.

There are several cases of strep throat-a sore throat caused

by a bacterium. Most sore throats are caused by cold

viruses, and are not strep. Strep sore throats are

characterized by a sudden and severe sore throat and fever.

If your child experiences these symptoms a throat culture

should be done.  It is important that strep infections be

treated to prevent any serious medical conditions later on.

Secondly, you should know that there has been one

confirmed case of influenza-A among our students.

Influenza is caused by a virus, and symptoms develop more

slowly and include fever, headache, congestion, cough, and

muscle aches and fatigue.  People generally feel so

miserable they do not want to get out of bed.

Lastly, the common cold virus is here as well.  Sometimes

the common cold and influenza can be complicated by a

bacterial infection such as an ear infection, sinus infection, or

pneumonia.

Luckily there are many things that help prevent the spread of

disease.  These include:

Practice extra good health habits. Make an effort to eat

healthy foods that contain all the vitamins and minerals that

are necessary for your body to work well. All family members

should get PLENTY of sleep. Getting young people to bed as

early as possible goes a long way for everyone!   Drink

plenty of liquids to stay hydrated.

THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING ANYONE CAN

DO TO HELP PREVENT ILLNESS IS FREQUENT

HANDWASHING. This means washing hands after every

time the nose is blown, coughing occurs, before eating, and

anytime one is close to an ill person.

Teach children good hygiene.  A runny nose should be

blown into a disposable tissue which is directly thrown

away.  Children should be taught not to touch their noses

and faces or those of anyone else. Hands and fingers should

not be put in the mouth.  Have children cough into their

sleeves rather than their hands. ENCOURAGE FREQUENT

HANDWASHING (this cannot be stressed enough).

Get outside and exercise. The reason illness occurs in the

winter is because so many people are in heated buildings

close to one another.  As weather permits, encourage

children to play outside.  If dressed appropriately they are

much less apt to come in contact with germs outdoors.

They’ll be getting Vitamin D and a lift of the spirit exercising

in fresh air provides!

Open your windows whenever possible to exchange the air

in your home. Turn the heat down anytime you can.

Keep skin and lips well lubricated to prevent scratching and

cracking. Germs are always around looking for a way to

enter the body.

Take a reading of the stressors on your family this busy

season.  Research is showing a link between stress and an

inefficient immune system. Slow down, take time to enjoy

each other instead of overdoing it.  Skip things that are not

so important, everyone will be happier and healthier for it!

Please be vigilant for the beginning of any illness in your

child. At this time I ask you to keep all sick children home for

the benefit of all.  At the first sign of illness allow the child to

sleep as much as possible, give over the counter

medications that may help the symptoms, and have your

child drink copious amounts of fluids.

Call your physician if you suspect a bacterial illness or if a

high fever lasts for several days.  If you have questions

about influenza  the State has established a hot line that you

can call: 271-4482 or check the CDC website at

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/.

As always, do not hesitate to call  the school with any

concerns.

Sincerely,

The Elementary School Nurses

Helpful Information on Treating Head Lice

HELPFUL INFORMATION ON TREATING HEAD LICE

MAPLE STREET SCHOOL

Below are a number of steps once you have found head lice on your child.

1. First off, stay calm. You are not alone as head lice are common, spread easily, and exist throughout the world. Lice are a harmless, contagious nuisance

2. If you find head lice on your child, set aside time to treat the lice, do laundry, vacuum and pick nits (eggs).

3. Check everyone in your family for lice and nits. Be sure that what you find is truly head lice and/or nits. Lint, dandruff, and hair casts have often been mistaken for nits.

4. Treat everyone found to have lice, nits, or old egg cases. The goal of a treatment is to kill live lice and nits. This can be done in two ways. First, you can use an insecticide (pediculicide) and the secondly you can suffocate them. (More on this below.) A treatment is only the starting point. To end the infestation you need to take time to pull all eggs from the hair once it is dry.

If you choose to use a PEDICULICIDE-read on:

There are a couple basic categories and lice are developing increasing resistance to all of them. Research is showing that 1% permethrin is best. NIX is a brand that contains this and it is available over the counter and safe only when used as directed. Do not use around infants, pregnant, or nursing women, or people with ragweed allergies. If you are taking medication, be sure you ask your doctor before you use a pediculicide. Read all directions-more is not better!

If you cannot or choose to NOT USE A PEDICULICIDE…

you must perform a suffocation treatment. This involves applying a non-water soluble substance to block the lice’s breathing passages. A non-toxic oil like mineral oil can be used, such as Crisco brand vegetable shortening. It shampoos out easily with two applications of Dawn dishwashing liquid. Apply the shortening over the entire scalp and cover with a shower cap for as many hours as possible-overnight being the best.

5. Remember that neither treatment does not kill all lice or eggs and that all nits have to be removed after treatment. Doing so protects you from the nits and survive the treatment and makes it easier to tell if there is new lice activity. To check, work in bright light and methodically check the scalp for lice, which are sesame-seed size. They are rarely seen, but if you find one they are easy to pick up wit a piece of tape, sticky side out, Inspect the full length of hairs for very small white tea drop shaped nits firmly attached to the hairs. Remove nits by pulling them off with you fingernails and placing them in a plastic bag. If you are diligent, you can end this problem in one day.

6. Continue to check everyone in the family daily until you have had two weeks with no sign of louse activity.

7. Repeat the treatment with the pediculicide only if a.) you find live lice or living nits very close to the scalp at least a week after the first treatment, b.) 7-10 days after using an over the counter pediculicide other than NIX, c.) do not repeat pediculicide treatment or use a different chemical treatment within a week of the first treatment.

8. Vacumm all carpets, upholstered furniture, mattresses, child car seats, etc.

9. Launder all bedding, towels, clothing, hats, scarves, and jackets in hot water then dry for 20 minutes on high heat.

10. Any items that cannot be washed and dried as above such as stuff toys and fragile fabrics, need to be stored in tightly closed plastic bags for two weeks or frozen for several days.

11. Wash combs, brushes, and hair items in hot water and soak for at least 20 minutes in at least 130 degrees.

12. NOTIFY THE SCHOOL that you have found head lice and TELL THE PARENTS of you child’s closest contacts (sleep-overs, play-dates, teammates) that you have found lice so that they can check as well.