SBIRT

March 12, 2025

Dear Parent/Guardian of 6th and 9th grade students,

Starting in March our counseling staff will begin an MDPH (Massachusetts Department of Public

Health) mandated screening called SBIRT. SBIRT stands for Screening, Brief Intervention, and

Referral to Treatment. SBIRT is related to the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances.

The goal of the screening is to reinforce healthy choices and provide resources for education.

Teenagers have consistently reported that substance abuse is a topic of utmost concern.

Students in 6th grade and 9th grade will take part in this health screening. Sessions will be brief

and are conducted in private by our SBIRT trained staff. All sessions are confidential. Students

will be asked about substance exposure or use over the past year. The students will have their

safe choices reinforced by the screener. Staff will alert the students that they are available to

provide substance use education and discuss healthy decisions. This program focuses on harm

prevention and does not generate disciplinary action.

Non-identifying screening results are recorded for data purposes and are shared with MDPH.

The results are only shared with other staff or parents in the case of immediate medical

emergency or when required by state law. As with any school health screening, you can opt

your child out of this process. Students may also choose not to answer any or all the screening

questions. If you do not want your child to participate in this screening contact

Kathleen Dupuis, RN @ kdupuis@sics.org.

SICS has identified the risk of substance abuse as a priority for education and support with our

students and families. Parents and guardians can help their children make healthy choices. One

important way to prevent alcohol and drug use is to talk with your children and model safe

behavior at home.

 https://drugfree.org/

 https://helplinema.org/for-parents/

Kathleen Dupuis, BSN, RN, NCSN, Nurse Leader kdupuis@sics.org

Click here to view The CRAFFT+N Interview: SBIRT in Schools

Norovirus

You may have heard or read about Norovirus recently. Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and

diarrhea, and food borne illness in the United Sates. People of all ages can get infected and sick with

Norovirus. The virus is sometimes called the “stomach flu” or “stomach bug”. This illness is not related

to the flu. Most people with Norovirus get better within 1-3 days but can still spread the virus up to a

week.

Norovirus spreads easily and quickly in different ways. You can get Norovirus by:

•  Having direct contact with someone with Norovirus, like caring for them, sharing food or eating
• utensils with them, or eating food handled by them.
•  Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus.
•  Touching contaminated objects or surfaces and then putting your unwashed fingers in your
• mouth.

Norovirus is very contagious, but you can take steps to protect yourself and others, including:

•  Wash your hands well and often.
•  Cook shellfish thoroughly and wash fruits and vegetables.
•  Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces.
•  Wash laundry in hot water.

 Stay home when sick for 2 days (48 hours) after symptoms stop

Dehydration can be a side effect of the Norovirus. Increase your fluid intake and monitor your child for

lethargy, decrease in urine output and decrease in tear production.

If your child is experiencing any symptoms of Norovirus, please reach out to your healthcare provider.

Contact the school nurse before your child returns to school.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has noticed a significant increase in cases of respiratory illnesses caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (walking pneumonia ) and Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough), particularly among school-aged children and adolescents.

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. Normally, the small sacs in the lungs are filled with air. When someone has pneumonia, the air sacs fill up with pus and other fluids.

The signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include:

• fever
• cough
• chills
• fast breathing 
• breathing with grunting or wheezing sounds
• working hard to breathe
• vomiting
• chest pain
• belly pain 
• being less active 
• loss of appetite (in older kids) or poor feeding (in babies)

Viruses, like the flu or RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), cause most cases of pneumonia. Children with pneumonia caused by a virus usually have symptoms that happen over time and tend to be mild.

Less often, bacteria can cause pneumonia. When that happens, children usually will become sick more quickly, starting with a sudden high fever, cough, and sometimes fast breathing. Types of bacterial pneumonia include pneumococcal pneumonia, mycoplasma pneumonia (walking pneumonia), and pertussis (whooping cough).

The Healthcare Provider (HCP ) will perform an evaluation for pneumonia. They will check physical appearance, breathing pattern, vital signs and might order a chest x-ray. Depending on the cause of the pneumonia, the HCP may order antibiotics. Most symptoms start to resolve in one week, but this is dependent on general health and age. If you notice symptoms worsening or persisting, contact your healthcare provider.