Martha Furtado BSN RN
Martha graduated from Lynn Hospital School of Nursing, where she received a diploma as a registered nurse. Martha worked on pediatrics Units at both Morton Hospital in Taunton and Newton Wellesley Hospital for many years. In 2010, she obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Curry College. Martha has been a pediatric nurse for most of her career and the school nurse at Galligan for 8 years. Martha is married and has 3 children and 4 precious grandchildren, and an adorable dog named Queenie.
Covid Hotline- Information for Staff and Families
Taunton Public Schools has set up COVID-19 Response Hotlines.
Family Hotline: 774-226-1072
Staff Hotline: 774-504-9352
Please be prepared to leave your contact information in the message.
Additional COVID -19 related information can be found at: https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/
COVID-19 Symptoms letter when to keep your child home
Dear Parent/Guardian,
The single most important thing to do if your child has the following symptoms is to keep your child HOME. Some symptoms of COVID-19 are the same as the flu or a bad cold; please do not assume it is another condition. When in doubt, please keep your child home and contact their primary care provider for further guidance.
Below is a list of symptoms for which caregivers should monitor their children every morning before sending them to school or to the bus stop.
Keep your child HOME if they have any of these symptoms.
- Fever (100° Fahrenheit or higher),
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Headache when in combination with other symptoms
- Muscle aches or body aches
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
- Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms
The above list is not all-inclusive. Please contact your child’s primary care provider to obtain further guidance. Your child may return to school if they meet one of the requirements below. (If they have not been identified as a close contact).
- Have received a negative PCR or antigen test result for COVID-19. An antigen test may be self-administered and does not need to be proctored or performed by a healthcare professional, OR a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis for the COVID-19-like symptoms, the individual may use this recommendation (e.g., for influenza or strep pharyngitis) in lieu of a PCR test or antigen test, if their symptoms have improved, and they have been without fever for at least 24 hours prior to return to school without the use of fever-reducing medication.
- If they have COVID- like symptoms and are not tested, they may return to school after 5 days from the start of their symptoms (returning on day six)if their symptoms have improved, and they have been without fever for at least 24 hours prior to their return to school without the use of fever reducing medication.
If your child tests positive for COVID-19:
- The Board of Health exclusion guidelines must be followed prior to returning to school.
Please contact your child’s school nurse with any questions.
Fourth grade physical requirement
