AACMS is gearing up to host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for registered students on June 3. This vaccine is not mandatory for attendance; however, it is recommended that everyone age 12 and older receive one. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and the federal government is providing the vaccine for free to anyone living in the United States. You are not fully vaccinated until 2 weeks after the 2nd dose of a two-dose vaccine or two weeks after a one-dose vaccine. People who have been fully vaccinated can start to do some things that they had stopped doing because of the pandemic.  
Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine will also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.

What We Are Still Learning:

• We are still learning how well vaccines prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to others, even if you do not have symptoms. Early data show that vaccines help keep people with no symptoms from spreading COVID-19.
• We are also still learning how long COVID-19 vaccines protect people.
• We are still learning how many people have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before the population can be considered protected (population immunity).
• We are still learning how effective the vaccines are against new variants of the virus that causes COVID-19.

In general, people are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

If you don’t meet these requirements, regardless of your age, you are NOT fully vaccinated. Keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated. If you have a condition or are taking medications that weaken your immune system, you may NOT be fully protected even if you are fully vaccinated. Talk to your healthcare provider. Even after vaccination, you may need to continue taking all precautions.
 

Pennsylvania will lift all COVID-19 restrictions - except an order to wear a mask while in public - on May 31. This means, capacity restrictions on restaurants and indoor/ outdoor gatherings will go away.

The Health Department said the order requiring people to wear masks while away from home will be lifted once 70% of Pennsylvanians aged 18 and older are fully vaccinated. Pennsylvania revised its masking order to bring it in line with new federal recommendations-fully vaccinated people don't have to wear masks outside anymore unless they're at a crowded event.

The Department of Health recommends that Pennsylvanians refer to CDC guidance and recommendations regarding ongoing COVID-19 safety measures and procedures.

These updates do not prevent municipalities and school districts from continuing and implementing stricter mitigation efforts. While we are excited about the CDC’s recent guidance relaxing, all COVID-19 health and safety procedures at AACMS will remain in until the end of the 2021 school year. All faculty, staff, students, and visitors must wear a mask and maintain appropriate physical distancing at all times while on school premises. We appreciate your help in ensuring the health and safety of everyone in the school community. 
 

The CDC and FDA have recommended that use of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine resume in the United States, effective April 23, 2021. However, women younger than 50 years old especially should be aware of the rare risk of blood clots with low platelets after vaccination, and that other COVID-19 vaccines are available where this risk has not been seen. If you received a J&J/Janssen vaccine, here is what you need to know. Read the CDC/FDA statement.

A new tool to fight COVID-19 is on the rise across the United States: warm, fresh air. 
Spring and summer weather will provide opportunities for people – vaccinated or not – to enjoy low-risk outdoor activities to better their physical and mental health.

COVID-19 can spread outside, but it spreads much more easily inside. It's a development in the fight against COVID-19 because experts are now confident that it's much harder for the virus to spread in outdoor conditions – especially when people wear masks and keep their distance. 

What is safe to do outside?

Here are a few examples:

• Go for a walk on the beach or in the park with members of your family
• Exercise outdoors with members of your household
• Playing sports where it’s easy to keep distance from your competitors- like tennis or disc golf
• Socially distanced picnics

What is not safe to do outside?

It may be more difficult for the coronavirus to spread outside, but that doesn't mean you should let your guard down.

Tightly packed crowds are still dangerous. Spending long periods of time with people outside your household still increases your risk. Wearing a mask still reduces your risk of catching or spreading the virus.

Your body depends on water to survive. Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body needs water to work properly. For example, your body uses water to maintain its temperature, remove waste, and lubricate your joints. Water is needed for overall good health.

You should drink water every day. Most people should drink 6 to 8, 8-ounce glasses of water each day. While plain water is best for staying hydrated, other drinks and foods can help, too. Fruit and vegetable juices, milk, and herbal teas add to the amount of water you get each day.

It’s best to limit caffeinated drinks. Caffeine may cause some people to urinate more frequently or feel anxious or jittery. Plus, be mindful of what you drink. Some choices may add extra calories from sugar to your diet.

1. Get more sunlight: Sunlight exposure increases your body’s vitamin D levels which is critical for your health. Vitamin D can prevent cancer, provide higher energy levels, and keep your bones strong and healthy.
2. Get physical exercise: Let’s face it, you’re probably more motivated to exercise, or just get up and go, when it’s nice outside. Regular exercise can help protect you from heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, noninsulin-dependent diabetes, obesity, back pain, osteoporosis, and can improve your mood and help you to better manage stress.
3. Warm weather improves your memory: Research shows that your overall alertness & mental performance is at its best when your body temperature is high. Staying warm in nice weather helps keep you alert and improves your memory.
4. Warm weather is safer for you: Flu and cold season occurs during the winter months and is especially bad from December to February. Much of that is due to people being indoors and inhaling virus particles. Getting outdoors in warm weather helps kill off viruses and makes it difficult for viruses to spread, including COVID-19.
5. Warm weather is better for your heart and lungs: Cold weather can have a negative impact on your health, especially your heart and respiratory system. When your body works to regulate heat, your blood pressure can increase to unhealthy levels, causing long-term damage.

COVID-19 vaccines are now availible to anyone age 16 and over. There are several places you can look for a vaccination provider. You can visit VaccineFinder.org for a location near you. Both LVHN and St. Luke’s have also openend vaccine appointments 

On March 26, the CDC relaxed physical distancing requirements for children in school, from 6 feet to 3 feet — a change aimed at allowing more students to be inside classrooms. There are a few things to know about this change:

• Teachers and other adult school staff must still adhere to the 6 feet guidelines, and face coverings remain mandatory.
• For Middle/High school students in areas where Covid-19 spread rate is high, 6 feet distances must be maintained. 
• And for all students, no matter the rate of community spread, distances of 6 feet should still be followed in settings where masks cannot be worn: Lunchtime and activities like choir, band, or intense sports.

People are considered fully vaccinated:

• 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
• 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

If it has been less than 2 weeks since your 1-dose shot, or if you still need to get your second dose of a 2-dose vaccine, you are NOT fully protected. Keep taking all prevention steps until you are fully vaccinated.

What’s changed if you’ve been fully vaccinated:

• You can gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask.
• You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
• If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.

What hasn't changed if you've been fully vaccinated: 

• You should still take steps to protect yourself and others in many situations, like wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. 
• Take these precautions whenever you are:
• In public
• Gathering with unvaccinated people from more than one other household
• Visiting with an unvaccinated person who is at increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 or who lives with a person at increased risk
• You should still avoid medium or large-sized gatherings.
• You should still delay domestic and international travel. If you do travel, you’ll still need to follow CDC requirements and recommendations.
• You should still watch out for symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you’ve been around someone who is sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested and stay home and away from others.
• You will still need to follow guidance at your workplace.

As COVID-19 cases continue to decline and the state’s vaccination plan is amplified, the Wolf Administration announced revised and lifted mitigation restrictions that went into effect March 1, 2021. 

Out-of-state travel restrictions have been eliminated. Travelers, however, should still practice appropriate public health measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 such as masking, physical distancing, and hand hygiene.
Revised Occupancy Limits

Revised maximum occupancy limits for indoor events to allow for 15% of maximum occupancy, regardless of venue size. Core public health measures such as face covering (mask-wearing), social distancing, and hand hygiene still must be enforced. The 15% of maximum occupancy is permitted only if attendees and workers are able to comply with the 6-foot physical distancing requirement.

Revised maximum occupancy limits for outdoor events to allow for 20% of maximum occupancy, regardless of venue size. Core public health measures such as face covering (mask-wearing), social distancing, and hand hygiene still must be enforced. The 20% of maximum occupancy is permitted only if attendees and workers are able to comply with the 6-foot physical distancing requirement.

One million Pennsylvanians are now fully vaccinated, and our vaccine supply increases each week — getting more and more shots into arms. Currently, we are in Phase 1A of Pennsylvania's vaccine rollout plan. More than 77,000 Pennsylvanians are vaccinated against COVID each day.The faculty and staff here at AACMS had the opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccine under the new Department of Health Directive. To determine if you are eligible to receive a vaccine use the Your Turn Eligibility Tool at https://www.pa.gov/guides/get-vaccinated/

There are several places you can look for a vaccination provider. You can visit VaccineFinder.org or check your state health department or local pharmacy’s website.

One million Pennsylvanians are now fully vaccinated, and our vaccine supply increases each week — getting more and more shots into arms. Currently, we are in Phase 1A of Pennsylvania's vaccine rollout plan. More than 77,000 Pennsylvanians are vaccinated against COVID each day.The faculty and staff here at AACMS had the opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccine under the new Department of Health Directive. To determine if you are eligible to receive a vaccine use the Your Turn Eligibility Tool at https://www.pa.gov/guides/get-vaccinated/

There are several places you can look for a vaccination provider. You can visit VaccineFinder.org or check your state health department or local pharmacy’s website.

• Stick to a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, including on the weekends.
• Get enough natural light, especially earlier in the day. Try going for a morning or lunchtime walk.
• Get enough physical activity during the day. Try not to exercise within a few hours of bedtime.
• Avoid artificial light, especially within a few hours of bedtime. Use a blue light filter on your computer or smartphone.
• Don’t eat or drink within a few hours of bedtime; avoid alcohol and foods high in fat or sugar in particular.
• Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet.

Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls. Two numbers are recorded when measuring blood pressure:

• Systolic pressure. This is the higher number. It refers to the highest pressure inside the artery. It occurs when the heart contracts and pumps blood to the body.
• Diastolic pressure. This is the lower number. It refers to the lowest pressure inside the artery. It occurs when the heart relaxes and fills with blood.

A healthy blood pressure in Preadolescent children (10-11 years) ranges from 102-120/61-80. 


High blood pressure (hypertension) means that the pressure inside the arteries is too high. This higher pressure may harm the arteries and cause the heart to work harder. Too many kids and teens have high blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease and stroke. A study done by the CDC shows that about 1 in 25 youth ages 12 to 19 have hypertension, and 1 in 10 has elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure is more common in youth with obesity.

High blood pressure in youth is linked to health problems later in life. The good news is that you can both help prevent high blood pressure and manage it.

Physical and dental exams are extremely important in identifying any problems/potential problems. Please schedule physical and dental exams with your child’s PCP/Dentist if you have not done so for the 2020/2021 school year. 

Yearly health-based screenings and exams will resume upon the students return to school and will be performed on children that HAVE NOT had a physical in the last year. ALL students (virtual and face to face) are required to have these screenings performed. If your child had a physical in the past year, please provide a copy to the Health Room. Forms can be faxed to 610-351-1163 or emailed to AAngstadt@arts-cs.org.

Grades 5 through 8:
Year growth screen. Please provide a copy to the health room if your student had a physical in the last year. 
Vision exam

Grade 6:
Physical exam required. Please provide a copy to the health room if your student had physical in the last year.

Grade 7:
Dental exam. Please provide a copy to the health room if your student had dental exam in the last year. 
Hearing screen

More information to follow when screenings are scheduled for both virtual and face to face students. Dental and Physical forms can be found on our school website if you chose to use your own provider.

Ask your doctor to measure your child’s blood pressure at each appointment starting at age 3. Helping children keep a healthy weight, eat nutritious foods, and get regular physical activity can lower their blood pressure and reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease later in life. Try incorporating these healthy habits into their everyday routine:

• Eat a healthy diet: Eat more fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy. Limit salt. Avoid caffeine (found in soda, tea, coffee and energy drinks.
• Get regular exercise: Try to exercise 30-60 minutes at least 3 times a week
• Do not smoke: Homes and cars should be smoke free. 

The sounds of singing, instruments, and laughter are filling the hallways here at AACMS and we are so excited to welcome back our Face-to-Face learners! It’s nice to have returned to a sense of “normalcy.” By now, we all know the precautions we need to take to prevent against the germs that cause respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 and the common cold/ flu. February is heart health awareness month and this month’s newsletter will focus on tips to keeping our “tickers” in shape! 

Getting good sleep isn’t just important for your energy levels—it’s critical for your heart health, too.
Sleep is not a luxury. It is critical to good health. Sleep helps your body repair itself. Getting enough good sleep also helps you function normally during the day.

Adults who sleep less than 7 hours each night are more likely to say they have had health problems, including heart attack, asthma, and depression. Some of these health problems raise the risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

It will take some time to get the COVID-19 vaccine rolled out and get everyone vaccinated. 
The COVID-19 vaccine- while showing extremely promising results- is like every other vaccine in that no vaccine is ever 100% effective. We must continue our best known risk reduction measures to keep people safe:

• Wear cloth face covering (mask) when in public and when around people who don’t live with you
• Stay 6 feet away from those you don’t live with
• Avoid crowds
• Practice good health habits- wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, and wipe down frequently touched surfaces

Yearly health-based screenings and exams will resume upon the students return to school. 

Grades 5 through 8:
Year growth screen 
Vision exam

Grade 6:
Physical exam required. Please provide a copy to the health room if your student had physical in the last year.

Grade 7:
Dental exam. Please provide a copy to the health room if your student had dental exam in the last year. 
Hearing screening

More information to follow when screenings are scheduled. Dental and Physical forms can be found on our school website if you chose to use your own provider.
 

Pennsylvania has started to vaccinate against COVID-19 and is working to expand eligibility to more groups of people. Faculty and Staff at AACMS have begun receiving vaccinations and teachers in the 1B phase group are expected to start receiving appointments and get vaccinated very soon.

Vaccines are safe and are the best way to protect yourself and those around you from serious illnesses.
The COVID-19 vaccine- given in two doses, three to four weeks apart (depending on the kind you get)- can keep you from getting COVID-19 and may even lessen symptoms if you do contract the virus.

COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you by creating an antibody response without having to experience sickness. Moderna and Pfizer Vaccine Fact Sheets, as well as FAQs are posted on our school’s COVID-19 response site at https://www.arts-cs.org/covid-19

At this time, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is not yet approved for children under the age of 16. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is not yet approved for children under the age of 18. More research is needed to make sure any COVID-19 vaccine will be safe and effective for infants, kids and teens.

To see if you are eligible for a vaccine and for testing locations please visit https://www.pa.gov/guides/get-vaccinated/.

Efforts to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 have led to many children not receiving routine preventative medical services. It is vital that all children receive recommended vaccinations on time and get caught up if they are behind as a result of the pandemic. Routine vaccination prevents illnesses that lead to unnecessary medical visits, additional outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, hospitalizations, and further strain on schools, families, and health care systems.

In response to the noted decrease in immunization rates due to the pandemic, for the 2020-21 school year the Department of Health (DOH) temporarily suspended school immunization regulations for a two-month period after the beginning of the school year. DOH continues to stress the importance of immunizations for children and across the lifespan. The temporary suspension is intended to provide flexibility and for parents and guardians, but it is essential that students receive their recommended vaccinations as soon as possible if they are behind schedule as a result of the pandemic.

7th Grade required immunizations:

• 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)
• 1 dose of meningococcal conjugated vaccine (MCV) 

If you received an email or phone call stating there was no record of immunization for your child, please obtain a letter, statement, or record from your health provider showing each dose of vaccine and the full date (month/day/year) administered. Please send this documentation to the school nurse at aangstadt@arts-cs.org or fax to 610-351-1163 as soon as possible.


The Pennsylvania Department of Health states that students NOT IN COMPLIANCE with these requirements MUST BE EXCLUDED from school until the student provides verification of the immunizations received, has a scheduled plan signed by the physician, or obtains an exemption signed according to the provisions of the law. 

For a complete list of required vaccinations, please visit our school website.
 

Being away from family and friends during the holidays can be hard. When you talk with your friends and family about plans, it’s okay if you decide to stay home and remain apart from others. Do what is best for your health and the health of your loved ones. This year spend time with those in your own household. Hard choices to be apart this year may mean that you can spend many more years with your loved ones.

The safest way to celebrate winter holidays is at home with the people you live with. Here are some ideas for celebrating the winter holidays safely. Be sure to share your alternative holiday activity photos! 


Host a virtual celebration with friends and family

• Eat a meal together virtually
• Host a virtual “ugly” sweater contest.
• Throw a virtual dance party or sing-a-long
• Have a virtual New Year’s Eve countdown
• Host a virtual watch party of your favorite holiday movie

Gather virtually for a gift exchange or other activity

• Meet virtually to open gifts together
• Build gingerbread houses, decorate cookies, or make holiday decorations/crafts

Decorate for the season

• Decorate or create a winter holiday scene and take family photos at home
• View community decorations from a safe distance. Visit a local drive-through holiday light display.
• Make crafts, cards, or cookies to send or deliver to family and friends in a way that does not involve contact, such as mailing them or leaving them at the door.

Enjoy the winter weather

• Hold a snowman or snow angel contest with neighbors 
• Build a snow fort

Volunteer and help others in need

• Reach out to your local community service organization to get involved and give back. Make sure to ask about their safety precautions in advance.

Attend a religious ceremony

• Attend virtual or drive in worship services

The CDC recommends that people wear masks both indoors and outdoors in public and when around people who don’t live in your household. Not only will wearing a mask help protect you and others but it will also help keep your face warm from the cold! Here are some additional mask wearing tips for winter: 

• In cold weather, wear your mask under your scarf, ski mask, or balaclava.
•  Keep a spare mask in case your mask becomes wet from moisture in your breath or from snow or rain.
• Don’t forget to wash your hands before putting on your mask! Wash hands often for at least 20 seconds. 

The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, celebration, and relaxation. Be sure to take some time for yourself over break to unwind! 

• Put in a little extra work before and after your vacation in order to enjoy your time off.
• Find ways to relax. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to do activities you enjoy, like exercising, gaming, reading or other hobbies.
• Stay connected to family and friends via virtual meetings
• Say “no” when you need to. Take 10 minutes of quiet time to yourself. 
• Prioritize. Honor your most valued traditions. Create new traditions with people in your home. 
• Enjoy foods you love! Balance healthy food and treats. Order takeout from your favorite restaurant. Share cooking responsibilities, everything will taste better! 
• Have an attitude of gratitude. It has been linked to greater stress tolerance and better sleep.
• Give the gift of kindness- help and include others. Make it about fun instead of buying gifts. 
• Relax, breathe, and enjoy!

Coronavirus symptoms can range from mild to severe and appear between 2 and 14 days after exposure. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills without a fever, sore throat, muscle aches and pains, and temporary loss of smell or taste.  
If you think you or your child may have COVID-19, contact your primary care provider FIRST
COVID-19 testing is being offered through Lehigh Valley Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital. For more info please call:

• MyLVHN Nurse Information line: 1-888-402-LVHN 
• St. Luke’s COVID hotline: 1-866-STLUKES (1-866-785-8537) option 7

Here are some ideas to consider for a safe, healthy holiday season:

• Host a virtual Thanksgiving meal with friends and family who don’t live with you.
• Watch televisi on at home- Thanksgiving Day parade, sports, and favorite holiday movies
• Find a fun game to play with members of your household
• Shop online sales the day after Thanksgiving and days leading up to winter holidays. Utilize contactless services, like curbside pick-up, for purchased items.
• Safely prepare traditional dishes and deliver them in a way that does not involve contact to friends and family
• Participate in a gratitude activity. Write down things you are grateful for and share them with your friends and family. 

Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. 

Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. As of November 17, 2020, the Wolf administration is requiring that travelers entering Pennsylvania from other countries and states, as well as Pennsylvanians who are returning home from other countries or states, have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to entering the Commonwealth or quarantine for 14 days upon entry into Pennsylvania. 

The CDC recommends that people wear masks in public and when around people who don’t live in your household. Choose a mask that has two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric. Make sure you wash your hands before putting on your mask. Wear a mask correctly for maximum protection. Mask should cover your nose and mouth, fit securely under your chin, and be snug against the sides of your face. Make sure you can breathe easy. Once the mask is on, don’t touch it! If you do, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer to disinfect. Masks should be washed regularly after use.  

Together we can help stop the spread of germs that cause illness such as COVID 19:

• Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time
• Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available
• Wear a mask with 2 or more layers to protect yourself and others
• Stay home if sick 

In addition to following everyday health habits, take these additional steps if attending a holiday gathering.

• Wear a mask. Safely store your mask in your pocket, purse, or paper bag while eating and drinking.
• Bring your own food, drinks, plates, cups, and utensils.
• Avoid going in and out of areas where food is being handled, such as the kitchen.
• Use single-use options, like condiment packets and salad dressing, and disposable items like food containers, plates, and utensils.

Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2020-2021 to protect yourself and the people around you from the flu, and to help reduce the strain on healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact your primary care provider or local pharmacy to schedule yours today!