Board Business: March 2019

This blog post is intended to keep you up to date on the happenings of the Board of School Trustees of the Community School Corporation of Southern Hancock County’s meetings. Please read below for a recap of the board’s March 11th, 2019 regular meeting.

Monday’s meeting began with a special performance by the Brandywine Elementary Sign Club, who opened the meeting by completing the Pledge of Allegiance in American Sign Language. The Sign Club was also recognized by the board at the meeting and performed the popular kids’ song Baby Shark in ASL.

The BWE Sign Club perform at Monday’s board meeting.

New Palestine High School Principal Keith Fessler presented the student-led group VOICE, whose purpose is to educate and encourage their peers to lead a tobacco-free lifestyle.

Members of the student-led VOICE club at NPHS.

Students in VOICE have met with Senator Crider and Representative Cherry to work together to help keep students tobacco-free.

The board also recognized NPHS Head Football Coach Kyle Ralph for being named the Indiana Football Coaches Association Class 5A Coach of the Year. Coach Ralph led the Dragons to a 14-0 2018 season and a Class 5A State Championship.

The Board of School Trustees congratulating NPHS Head Football Coach Kyle Ralph.

One donation was approved at Monday’s meeting. The Greenfield Banking Company donated $100 to New Palestine Intermediate’s tower garden, which is a part of the building’s Innovative Arts curriculum.

Three field trips were approved by the board. The NPHS fall sideline cheer team will attend Cheer Camp at Indiana University this July. The NPJH Band and Choir both received approval to travel to Kings Island in June.

At the request of NPHS Principal Keith Fessler, the board approved Friday, May 31^st as the 2019 Commencement Date. Commencement will be held at 7 p.m. in the main gymnasium at New Palestine High School.

Representatives from the district’s construction team presented a general concept for a renovation project at New Palestine High School. We’ll have a separate story published on our NPHS Renovations page later this week with more information regarding the scope of the concept and the next steps in the process.

Student Services Director Dr. Marcia Piercy presented to the board on the district’s growing Early Childhood Learning program, current special education enrollment, and how the district is working to provide services to all of our special education students.

Finally, Mark Kern, President of the Southern Hancock Education Foundation (SHEd), along with SHEd Treasurer Laura Fowler and Secretary Kim Taylor, commented to the board regarding their upcoming Roaring 20’s Gala Fundraiser scheduled for April 26th at 6 p.m. at Addagio’s. SHEd’s mission is to promote and support quality public education in Brandywine and Sugar Creek Townships. We are committed to enriching the educational experience of all students within the Community School Corporation of Southern Hancock County.

 

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Flu Season: How to Keep Your Children Safe

The following information regarding this year’s flu season is from CSCSHC Corporation Nurse Heather Haycock:

As you all know, flu season is upon us. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the number of reported cases of the flu/influenza in Indiana is at its highest point so far this flu season. This letter is to remind you of best practices if or when your child is exposed to flu.

The flu is highly contagious and can spread from person to person by breathing in the droplets in a cough, sneeze, or runny nose that contain the flu virus. People with the flu may be able to infect others by shedding virus as early as one full day before getting sick through a period five to seven days after symptoms begin.

Signs and Symptoms of the flu may include:

The flu comes on quickly. Most people with the flu feel very tired and may have a high fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, vomiting, or diarrhea.

If you suspect that you or a family member is sick, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Prevention

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccination for everyone 6 months and older
• Hand washing with soap and water, especially before meals. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers will work
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw tissues in the trash and wash hands
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect hard surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs, including bathroom surfaces, kitchen counters, and toys for children. Use household disinfectants according to directions.

When can my child return to school after having the flu?

Deciding to keep your child home from school is never easy. It’s important for children to attend school and for some parents staying home means missing work. However, when a child is truly sick, they need to stay home in the care of an adult to get well and to prevent spreading illnesses to others.

Keep your child home if they have a fever of at least 100°F. Wait at least 24 hours after the fever is gone and 24 hours after vomiting and/or diarrhea subsides without the use of medications before sending your child back to school.

Treatment

The flu can be treated with antiviral drugs. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen may be taken to reduce fever and increase comfort. Avoid products containing Aspirin. People with the flu need plenty of rest and fluids.

Your child’s medical information is kept confidential by the district, so please call the nurse’s office if your child has been diagnosed with flu/influenza. Contact your school nurse or clinic assistant with any questions.

Please keep the school office up to date with current phone numbers so you or an alternate contact can be reached if your child becomes ill or injured at school. The following information may help you decide when to keep your child at home. “Child” refers to all school-aged children including adolescents. This information does not take the place of consulting a medical provider.