Nurse’s Notes
Gillian Graven,, RN, MEd – 328-2716
 

Mission: To promote health and wellness through the coordination of events and resources for the purpose of providing access, education and information to the uninsured/underinsured of El Paso and Teller Counties.

“Please dress your children for the weather.” Depending on the weather temperature and conditions per D-11 Policy all children will go outside for fresh air and sunshine.

Benefits of Fresh Air

Who needs fresh air? We all do!

If you are feeling ill or are suffering from any kind of disease, then fresh air is even more important for you. While your body is healing and repairing, you may be eliminating more toxins into the air than someone who does not have any health concerns. It is important that you do not breathe in that old air again. You need an abundance of fresh air that is full of oxygen.

Here is a list of just some of the many health benefits of fresh air. Fresh air:

• Helps increase the rate and quality of growth in both plants and animals
• Helps the airways of your lungs to dilate more fully and improves the cleansing action of your lungs
• Helps to improve your heart rate, blood pressure, and metabolic rate
• Helps your immune system fight off disease more effectively
• Soothes your nerves. It will leave you feeling more refreshed and relaxed
• Will stimulate your appetite and will help your food to digest more effectively. That is why it’s great to take a brisk walk outside after you eat
• Will help you sleep more soundly at night
• Helps to clear your mind, improves your concentration, and helps you to think more clearly
• Alters your brain levels of serotonin which helps to improve your mood and promote a sense of happiness and well-being
• Helps your body get rid of accumulated impurities
• Provides enough oxygen for cellular metabolism
• Helps to kill bacteria and viruses in the air thanks to its rich oxygen content. Polluted air cannot do this

Strengthens your immune system by supplying it with the oxygen it needs. White blood cells require more oxygen when working to kill and destroy bacteria, viruses, and germs. Enough oxygen will ensure that they are able to function properly.

To Parents/ Guardians:

Please help us minimize illnesses in our school setting.  These guidelines should be used to help you decide whether or not your child should come to school. We also ask that you:

• Keep the school office updated with current phone number and contact information
• Make arrangements in advance for home care of your child if he becomes ill at school

Illness Guidelines: When to Keep Your Child Home

ü  Children with severe cold symptoms should not attend school. 

Cold symptoms may include:

a constant runny nose, especially with abnormal color or consistency (this is especially important if your child is unable to use a kleenex by him(her)self

o   nasal or lung/chest congestion

o   coughing that is constant or persistent

o   recurrent sneezing that is not allergy related

 ü  Do not send a child to school with an abnormal temperature- any temperature over 100 degrees F.  Symptoms to watch for might be a flushed face, chills, paleness or skin abnormally warm to the touch.  One or all of these symptoms might be present.  If in doubt at all, please take your child’s temperature.  Please keep an obviously sick child at home.  A child with a temperature needs to stay home for at least 24 hours.  Remember, if you reduce your child’s fever with medication like Tylenol, your child is STILL ill.  Please do not medicate your child and send them to school. Children spread their illness most during the time they have a fever.

 ü  Do not send a child to school that has been vomiting within the last 12 hours.

ü  Do not send a child to school that has had diarrhea in the last 12 hours.

ü  Flu symptoms: fever over 100 degrees (usually high) and one or more of the following body aches, sore throat, cough, headache. Do not send your child back to school until he has had no symptoms for at least 24 hours.

Guidelines on keeping your child healthy

a  Wash hands using soap and warm water for 15-20 seconds (sing the ABC song once)

      Wash before eating, after using the bathroom, after playing outside, after using a tissue.

a  Cover cough /sneeze into your sleeve. If a tissue is used, throw away tissue and wash hands.

a  Sleep 8+ hours per night

a  Healthy eating habits

Science Fair
December 8, 2009

Ms. Dorn, Chairperson – 328-2750

Tri-fold display boards for your student's Science Fair projects are available through your student's classroom teacher at a cost of $3.00.

The 3^rd , 4^th and 5^th graders are working on their Science Projects for the Science Fair. We are all learning and reaffirming our knowledge of the Scientific Process. In our class, we are enjoying Chemistry!!! We are learning how to observe various household substances and identify them using our senses.(except for taste for safety reasons)

Parents for 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th graders will received the Science Fair Packet with guidelines and important deadline dates in the days ahead.

Library/Information Center News

Robin Sutherland- LTE -  328-2724

Accelerated Reader

Have you heard the buzz from your Columbia student? Thanks to District 11 Columbia now have the web based version of Accelerated Reader (AR). What makes this such a great opportunity for Columbia students?

1. Students and teacher have access to every test that AR makes. This includes over 4300 titles in our own Columbia library.
2. AR has quizzes that match the titles in our Story Town reading series. These quizzes support the skills being taught in your child’s reading group and give teachers information on reading comprehension.
3. Students can easily search our school’s online library catalogue for titles on their reading and interest level.
4. Parents can receive information on their student’s progress or check to see if a book has an AR quiz right from home.
5. No building funds are being used for this program. The district has made a three year commitment to pay for our AR subscription.

Columbia students have taken the STAR assessment. This assessment establishes their reading level. Students have also set a goal that they will work toward during the second quarter of school. Those who reach their goal will receive an award and a free book of their choice at the next quarterly awards assembly.

Most classes are already well on their way toward achieving their goal. Would you like to know about AR in general? Do you wonder what you child’s reading level is, how they are progressing toward their goal, or how they scored on their last book quiz? Have you ever wondered if that copy of The Cat in the Hat that you have at home has a book quiz? Parents can find the answer to these and many other questions by accessing the Accelerated Reader for Parents link on Columbia’s home page. This Power Point presentation has embedded links to informative videos and even a site where parents can log on to have their student’s AD data e-mailed directly to their home computer.

To access this sight you will need your student’s AR logon. Ask your student or stop by the library for this information.

HAPPY READING!

Help Us with our

Community Recycle Program!

If you can tear it, bring it!  That’s the guideline for our paper recycle program.  Bring your paper products to our collection box located at the back of the staff parking lot.  Encourage your neighbors to help out also!

We are excited about this program!  It not only helps lessen the amount of recyclable paper in the landfills, it also teachers our students about conservation and recycling.

Please help us out!  We will continue to collect aluminum cans every first Wednesday of the month during school!

You can once again bring your aluminum cans to Columbia the first Wednesday of each month.  Thanks to all!

Thanks for your support!

SCHOOL VISITS

You are always welcome and encouraged to visit any time.  Our new video intercom system is now in place.  The front doors are locked between the hours of        8:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.  To gain access to the building, please press the doorbell to the left of the doors and let the office know who you are.  The office will then buzz you in. We ask that you check in at the office when you arrive.  In order to get the most from your visit, contact the teacher and make arrangements as to the best day and time for your visit.  If you wish a conference with your child's teacher, feel free to make an appointment with that teacher through the school office.  Playground gates will be locked from 8:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.  Anyone wanting to enter the building MUST enter through the front door AND check in at the office.

School Hours

 School hours for the 2009-2010 school year are as follows:

7:45 a.m.                                  First bell - Students can go out on the playground

7:55 a.m.                                  Warning Bell to line up

8:00 a.m.                                 Tardy bell

2:30 p.m.                                 School ends

Breakfast is served from 7:25-7:45 a.m.  Students must enter through the back doors by the basketball court, not cutting through the building.  Students are allowed on the playground beginning at 7:45 a.m.  At 7:55 a.m. If your student arrives after 8:00 a.m. they must get a pass from the office before going to class.  School is out promptly at 2:30 p.m.  Please be sure to pick your student up promptly at 2:30 p.m.
 

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

The Board of Education emphasizes the importance and value of regular attendance for each student in order to benefit from the school instructional program.  Absence for any reason affects both individual student progress and instruction of the class as a whole.  As a general rule, absences should occur only as a result of illness or injury or doctor's appointments that absolutely cannot be scheduled outside of the school day.

Legally excused absences are those recognized in Colorado School Law and outlined in School District Eleven Board Policy.  Legally unexcused absences are those with or without parent consent not recognized as excused under Colorado School Law.  The principal or designee will determine if absences are excused or unexcused based upon Board Policy criteria.      

The Colorado School Attendance Law is compulsory.  The law states, Every child who has attained the age of seven and is under the age of sixteen....shall attend public school for at least 1056 hours if a secondary school pupil or 968 hours if an elementary school pupil during each school year.

After seven absences a mandatory meeting with the principal will be required.
 

School Lunch
Program
 

Cafeteria services for schools with school meal programs will begin on the first regularly scheduled full day of classes – Tuesday, August 18, 2009.  Roosevelt-Edison Charter School, Globe Charter School, and Star Academy meal programs will begin when their 2009-2010 school year resumes.  The cost of a full hot lunch, including milk, is $1.95 for elementary school, $2.10 for middle school and $2.35 for high school students.  A la carte service is also available at all middle and high schools.  Adult lunches (for staff and visitors), including beverages, will be $2.75 in elementary and middle schools and $3.00 in high schools.  White milk will cost $.55, and flavored milk will cost $.60.  Breakfast programs are available at some school sites for $1.10 for elementary schools and $1.20 for middle schools and high schools.  Adult breakfasts (for staff and visitors) in elementary and secondary schools will be $1.50.  Reduced-price full lunches (for students who qualify) will be free to children in grades PK-2 and will remain at  $.40 for students in grades 3-12.  Breakfast will be free for students K-12 who qualify for “reduced price.”      

For students who were enrolled in the district database and who qualified for meal benefits on the last day of school last school year (2008-09), all free and reduced price meals will continue for up to 30 school days in the new school year or until a new form has been completed and approved or denied.  Households are required by USDA federal guidelines to fill out new meal benefits applications each school year.  Free and reduced price meal applications will be mailed to households in the district the first part of August.  Applications will also be available in school offices.  Only one application per household should be turned in at the school office.  All students who are not classified as “free” or “reduced” from the prior year are “full pay” until determination on free or reduced meals has been made.  Parents are responsible for providing lunches from home or lunch money during this time. 

Families are encouraged to pre-pay for student meals.  Pre-payment may be made at the school, at www.d11.org/fns/prepay.htm, or by phone at 1-866-896-7594, where a credit card or check may be used.   

Food & Nutrition Services Department information and menus may be found online at www.d11.org/fns/, or questions may be directed to the Food & Nutrition Services office at  520-2924. 

   Important News!

You will receive a call from the District 11 automated calling system if your student is absent or tardy for the current day of school.  If you feel you have received the message in error or have a question, please call Ms. Lynn at 328-2711 between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

REMEMBER:  If your student is absent or tardy, please call 328-2711 for each day your student is absent.. Our attendance line is answered  24/7.

In order for this notification process to work, we need to have current and correct telephone information.  If you should move and change numbers, please notify the school immediately.  This information is also critical when trying to reach parents in the event your student should become ill or injured.

Important Dates
Mark your Calendars

For a complete listing of after school activities, check out our calendar on the D11 website.  Look for Columbia! or click on the D11 Calendar button on Columbia's homepage.