|
On Wednesday October 21, Algona Community School District Teachers were participating in a day of professional development activities. Some staff members were traveling to learn teaching techniques at other schools and many staff members were being introduced to new concepts here in Algona.
In-district professional development activities included a session introducing the use of “iTunes/Garage Band/iPods” for use in the classroom as resource and presentation tools. The session “Wikis and Nings” regarded inactive communication internet devices for teachers with students and parents. “Read and Write Gold” was training for teachers in the use of new literacy education software that can assist students with their reading, writing and research skills. Teachers learned about the software program (which was purchased by the district) and were presented with various methods to use this to assist students. Tong Uk Yi, Mindi Spear and Dawn Bjustrom learning about Wiki usage from AHS Principal, Jared Cecil. 
ACSD Technology Coordinator Jackie Fonley presenting a session on iTune usage to a group of ACSD faculty members.  |
|
The Algona School District has signed up to take part in a new notification system offered by the State of Iowa called “Iowa School Alerts.” This program gives parents, the media and others the opportunity to sign up to receive e-mail notifications directly when we have canceled classes, or will be dismissing early or starting late due to weather or other factors. This service, which was developed by IT staff at the Department of Administrative services, is free of charge to you and the school. The State funded the development of this program through the IOWAccess initiative, which seeks to bring more e-government services to the people of Iowa. Because the system is funded and operated by the state, you can be assured that your e-mail addresses will not be sold to anyone and you will not receive advertisements or spam due to enrolling in the program.
Here’s how you take advantage of this free service and sign up for e-mail alerts:
1. Click on “Sign Up!” in the Main Menu at https://schoolalerts.iowa.gov. This will take you to the “Enterprise A&A” screen for the State of Iowa. If you already have an account with the State (say for another online application), there’s no need to create another on.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to enter your name and e-mail address, and create secret questions and your password. This step involves obtaining a code from an e-mail sent to you to confirm your registration.
3. Once you have created and confirmed your account registration, you will be taken back to the School Alerts site where you can click on “My Subscriptions” to add the school districts/buildings you would like to receive notices for. Once you’ve selected a school, you are asked to enter the e-mail addresses or cell phone addresses where you would like notifications sent. You can add as many e-mail addresses as you’d like! (please note that some wireless service providers may charge you for receiving e-mails or text messages. You are responsible for those charges.)
We will still make sure that local media outlets are notified when there’s a change in our classes, so notices will still be made on the television and radio, but we hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to be directly notified as well.
If you have any questions about signing up for Iowa School Alerts, please contact the school’s administration office (515-295-3528) or e-mail
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. |
|
The Algona Community School District wants to make you aware of steps we are taking to prevent the spread of the illness (H1N1, seasonal influenza, and other spreadable diseases) and what you can do as parents to help. The H1N1 virus is transmitted in the same way as seasonal flu, namely respiratory droplets spread from coughing or sneezing, or touching something with the flu virus on it and then transferring that virus by touching one’s own mouth or nose. The symptoms of H1N1 are similar to seasonal flu, and include: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. It is imperative that those with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after they are fever free without the use of fever reducing drugs. Children with fever and other flu-like symptoms will be sent home immediately and will be kept away from other students.
The school district has placed disinfectant wipes and sanitizers in all classrooms for staff to use in an effort to eliminate the virus on surfaces as much as possible. Hand sanitizers have been placed near lunchrooms in the district. Staff is encouraging students to practice good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. Information is also being collected for Community Health, KRHC to track the number of illnesses weekly. We will continue to work with Community Health, KRHC regarding additional steps that should be taken.
As parents you can help us by following these steps recommended by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and reviewing the hygiene parts with your children.
When calling in sick children: Please let staff know what symptoms your child is having so we can track types of illness occurring.
Stay home when sick: Those with flu-like illness should stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines. They should stay home even if they are using antiviral drugs. They also should stay home if they are still coughing frequently.
Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette: Wash hands frequently with soap and water when possible, and cover noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or into one’s elbow if no tissue is available). Discard the tissue immediately and wash hands after coughing or sneezing.
Early treatment of high-risk students and staff: People at high risk for influenza complications who become ill with influenza-like illness should speak with their health care provider as soon as possible. Early treatment with antiviral medication may be an option. People at high risk include those who are pregnant, have asthma or diabetes, have compromised immune systems, or have neuromuscular diseases.
The Algona Community School District does not plan to close schools unless recommended by Community Health or the CDC, or if we reach a point where enough staff would become unavailable to continue to teach students in a safe and productive environment.
School based clinics for H1N1 will be brought to the school just like the clinics for seasonal flu earlier this fall. The dates for these clinics have not been set, but please watch for more information. This information will be sent home by note, or email. For the latest on these clinics, please check on http://www.krhc.com or call 295-4451. Also, please check out the documents portion of our website for informational materials regarding H1N1. This includes: H1N1 Parent Letter, H1N1 Clinic Schedule, H1N1 Consent Form, H1N1 Shot Information and H1N1 Nasal Mist Information from Community Health. |
|
|
