Family Need Survey

Friday, August 28, 2020

Dear Gill-Montague Families,

Family Need Survey:

I am writing this letter to allow the schools to gather information on the needs of each student. Each school is requesting that each family respond to the survey by September 1st for each child in your home, who attends each school. This information is important for each school to be able to organize student classes and understand which children need materials. There are 3 ways that families can respond to this brief survey:

  • Fill out the brief survey on-line (the survey link is below and posted on the district website)
  • Complete the survey on the back of the letter mailed home and return to the school by MAIL. (Please do not bring them to buildings)
  • Call into your child’s school to make them aware of your child’s plans and needs.

Thank you for helping us help our children!

SCHOOL SURVEY LINKS

Flu Vaccine Required in Massachusetts:

Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, influenza vaccine will be required for all students in Massachusetts. Influenza vaccine is important to reduce the risk of getting sick with influenza, reduce the severity of disease if one does get sick (including the risk of hospitalization), as well as preventing the spread of influenza to others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza vaccine will be especially critical to reduce the overall impact of respiratory illness on the population, protect vulnerable populations from severe illness, and decrease the overall burden on the healthcare system.

Which students need to receive influenza vaccine? Students in Kindergarten –Grade 12 will be required to receive influenza vaccine for the current influenza season for school attendance. The school immunization requirements, including the requirement for seasonal influenza vaccine, apply to all Massachusetts students enrolled in Kindergarten through Grade 12, regardless of whether the district is providing instruction in-person, or using a hybrid or remote learning model.

When do students need to receive influenza vaccine? Students must receive influenza vaccine for the current season by December 31, 2020. Are there any exemptions to receiving influenza vaccine? Medical and religious exemptions are allowable in the state of Massachusetts.

What type of influenza vaccine can students receive? Any age-appropriate licensed influenza vaccine for the current season fulfills the requirement. This includes injectable and nasal spray vaccine types. Please include a copy of the influenza vaccine when submitting immunizations to the school nurse

Sincerely,

Brian Beck

Superintendent of Schools