The Nardelli family had an enjoyable break, spending some of our time in Bourne with cousins to celebrate Christmas (see image below), and a couple of days in Connecticut with my wife Christine's family. We also spent some time volunteering at our local church, went to a movie, the Museum of Science, and did a scavenger hunt in Boston. We now turn our attention to the winter activity season: Eliana (almost 16) is participating on the Medfield High Gymnastics team and has a small role in the theater production; Julia (turning 14) is playing indoor soccer and taking a volleyball clinic; Alora (8) is fully into gymnastics and playing basketball once a week, and Vincent (3) is mostly getting lugged around to all of these events.
Nevada St. Building Update - A tentative renovation design plan and work timeline is ready for review. We are trying to schedule a time to meet this week with the project managers. I'll provide a more detailed update when I see the design plans and have a better sense of the work that will be done.
Winter School Health Newsletter - The school nurses are seeing the usual uptick in winter illness – colds, stomach bugs and fevers. It remains important for families to keep sick kids at home, in accordance with school policy. Students cannot return to school until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours, without medication like Tylenol, Advil or Motrin. These guidelines are also good common sense for adults in the workplace. The checklist below can help families determine when to stay home and when to return to school or work. https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/07/xb/flu-symptom-check-list.pdf
Along with the symptoms mentioned on the checklist, here are additional symptoms to stay home with:
- Communicable disease diagnosis
- A cold in the active stages – coughing, sneezing, nasal drainage
- A sore throat and/or swollen neck glands
- Vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours
- Acute pain that requires relief by narcotic medication
- An undiagnosed rash or skin eruption
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them
How to wash your hands:
If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs and might not remove harmful chemicals.
Flu vaccination for all people age 6 months and older continues to be recommended. It’s not too late get a flu shot. Call 617-796-1420 to make an appointment for vaccination with the public health nurse at City Hall.
Some information adapted from www.CDC.gov/handwashing and www.mass.gov/dph/flu
Community Partnerships for Children & Families
CPCF has a new playgroup leader, Nicki Ramshaw. She is wonderfully engaging and brings great energy to our groups. Here are the offerings:
Inclusive playgroup for children ages infant-3 years and their adult.
Wednesdays, Jan 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
(through mid-June), 9:30am to 10:45am, at CPCF Playspace
STEM interactive playgroup for children ages 3-5 and their adult.
Tuesdays, Jan 8, 15, 22, 29, (through May), 3:15 to 4:45, at CPCF Playspace
Grandparents Support Group
Tuesday, Jan 8, 6:00 to 7:30pm, Newton Public Library, Room A
CPCF Council Meeting
Thursday, Jan 24, 3:15, Open to all interested. CPCF building
