This is a note to keep you informed of the flu situation in our school and county.
The Osage County Health Department has received reports of several hospitalizations due to influenza in people from Osage County. Several schools in the area are reporting sending a number of children home with high fevers. Flu season has started early this year, and whether it is seasonal influenza or the H1N1 influenza, the precautions are the same:
• Cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer if water is not available
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth (germs can enter your body there)
• STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK. You should not return to work or school until you have been fever-free for 24 hours (without using medication).
• Get your flu shot. This is the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu.
Please note that if your child is at school and is running a temperature he/she will be isolated (with supervision) until someone can pick him/her up. We must do our best to keep this germ confined as much as possible.
The Osage County Health Department now has the seasonal flu vaccine available and will have extended hours to allow more people the opportunity to get vaccinated. They will give flu shots on Mondays from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm, Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and Fridays from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
General advice if you think you have the flu:
• Follow all the instructions above
• Drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest
• If you leave the house to seek medical care wear a face mask
• Avoid contact with other people as much as possible
• Use over-the-counter medications for fever, sore throat and cough
• Know that the flu can last up to one week
Please contact the office if you have any questions or concerns.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
on-line safety
90% of use of technology is positive. We use technology to better our communications with others, gain a wide variety of knowledge through searches, take care of business and many other job related uses. Though the positive is what we strive for in education there are some negatives we all must be aware of. An article written by Bob Tedeschi for Good Housekeeping magazine, August 2009, described the "Five Mistakes Smart Kids Make Online".
1. Broadcasting personal information to the entire Internet
2. Sharing passwords
3. Befriend strangers
a. Social networkers they do not know
b. Parents should review contacts regularly
c. Sometimes last semesters "BFF" becomes this semesters enemy
4. Baring their soles
a. Broadcasting highly personal information on social networking site
can magnify the usual teen and tween social dramas a hundred fold
b. Over sharing on line can leave teen open to bullying, ridicule and social
ostracism
5. Forgetting their futures
a. The web never forgets
b. 54 percent of 18-year-olds on MySpace post about sexual activity
or substance use
Many companies are starting to use web searches before and after they interview candidates. What the employers find on the web is a determining factor for job placement.
Everyone needs to know that what is on the web stays on the web. Negative comments, inappropriate materials, bullying remarks or practices, and any other non-professional information can destroy the chance of getting a job or even being accepted into some colleges.
Everyone needs to help our youth understand the ramifications of what they put on the web. It can make life very difficult and hurt the changes of a great future.
Contact the school for more information on web safety and tips on keeping our children safe.
1. Broadcasting personal information to the entire Internet
2. Sharing passwords
3. Befriend strangers
a. Social networkers they do not know
b. Parents should review contacts regularly
c. Sometimes last semesters "BFF" becomes this semesters enemy
4. Baring their soles
a. Broadcasting highly personal information on social networking site
can magnify the usual teen and tween social dramas a hundred fold
b. Over sharing on line can leave teen open to bullying, ridicule and social
ostracism
5. Forgetting their futures
a. The web never forgets
b. 54 percent of 18-year-olds on MySpace post about sexual activity
or substance use
Many companies are starting to use web searches before and after they interview candidates. What the employers find on the web is a determining factor for job placement.
Everyone needs to know that what is on the web stays on the web. Negative comments, inappropriate materials, bullying remarks or practices, and any other non-professional information can destroy the chance of getting a job or even being accepted into some colleges.
Everyone needs to help our youth understand the ramifications of what they put on the web. It can make life very difficult and hurt the changes of a great future.
Contact the school for more information on web safety and tips on keeping our children safe.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
AYP report
In the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) is based on the premise that every child will be at a minimum proficiency on the state reading and mathematics assessments. The NO Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) requires that every student be tested. By testing all children, parents and teachers will know the academic achievement of every child, every group of students, and all students. This enables parents and teachers to work together to ensure that no child will be left behind and to ensure not only school-wide and individual progress, but student group progress as well.
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) is the process for making judgment as to whether or not all public elementary and secondary schools, districts, and states are reaching the annual targets to ensure that all students achieve the state’s definition of proficiency by 2013-2014.
The 2009 annual targets for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) are: K-8 reading 79.7% and math 77.8%, grades 9-12 reading 76.7% and math 70.5%, and District reading 76.7% and math 70.5%.
Osage City Schools fared very well with: grades 3-5 reading 93.9% and math 94.1%, grades 6-8 reading 94.1% and math 82.2%, grades 9-12 reading 94.1% and math 92.7%, with the district at 91.6% reading and 88.1% in math.
“As you can see USD 420 is doing a great job moving toward our final goal of 100% of our students scoring at or above standard” , said Superintendent Orth.
Orth continued, “Looking back to the year 2003 Osage City Schools has shown gradual increase in assessment scores. In the year 2003 our scores were averaging around 50% in math and 61% in reading. Through the past few years the district has had major successes with new teaching strategies and continue to work with the assessment data to continue these improvements in student learning.”
Results of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and AYP reports can be found on the Kansas State Department of Education website at www.ksde.org under the State and District Report Cards drop down tab or contact your local school district.
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) is the process for making judgment as to whether or not all public elementary and secondary schools, districts, and states are reaching the annual targets to ensure that all students achieve the state’s definition of proficiency by 2013-2014.
The 2009 annual targets for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) are: K-8 reading 79.7% and math 77.8%, grades 9-12 reading 76.7% and math 70.5%, and District reading 76.7% and math 70.5%.
Osage City Schools fared very well with: grades 3-5 reading 93.9% and math 94.1%, grades 6-8 reading 94.1% and math 82.2%, grades 9-12 reading 94.1% and math 92.7%, with the district at 91.6% reading and 88.1% in math.
“As you can see USD 420 is doing a great job moving toward our final goal of 100% of our students scoring at or above standard” , said Superintendent Orth.
Orth continued, “Looking back to the year 2003 Osage City Schools has shown gradual increase in assessment scores. In the year 2003 our scores were averaging around 50% in math and 61% in reading. Through the past few years the district has had major successes with new teaching strategies and continue to work with the assessment data to continue these improvements in student learning.”
Results of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and AYP reports can be found on the Kansas State Department of Education website at www.ksde.org under the State and District Report Cards drop down tab or contact your local school district.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Reading, Writing and a Worthwhile Education for Kansas Kids
The Kansas Learning First Alliance (KLFA) & KTWU TV11 Team Up to Present “Reading, Writing and a Worthwhile Education for Kansas Kids”
KEY FACTS:
What: “Reading, Writing & a Worthwhile Education for Kansas Kids” Watch & Talk Parties
When: September 23, 2009
Where: Watch & Talk parties are being hosted around Kansas. For a party near you or to host a party, go to www.klfa.org.
Our world is changing and Kansas students need to be prepared to meet that change. The conversation about how that should be accomplished within our public school system is a very large and multifaceted topic. It will require a great deal of discussion among educational leaders, policymakers, business representatives, parents, educators and taxpayers. “Reading, Writing and a Worthwhile Education for Kansas Kids” is the beginning of that conversation in a statewide project with two parts:
Part One/The Program: This one-hour televised program, airing September 23 on KTWU TV11 at 7:00 p.m., will be divided into three panels (educators, parents, and business representatives) all of whom will be discussing what they believe should be the educational priorities in Kansas in order for students to be prepared for the 21st century. For a listing of public broadcasting stations airing the program and times, go to www.ktwu.org
Part Two/The Discussion at local Watch & Talk Parties: To initiate conversations about educational priorities, “Watch and Talk” parties will be held immediately after the program is viewed or at a later date of the host’s choosing.
Who can participate in a “Watch and Talk Party?” – Anyone! Click www.klfa.org to find a public Watch and Talk Party to attend. Please let the host know that you will be attending. KSDE is a member of KLFA and is encouraging anyone with a listserv to invite groups to attend or sponsor a “Watch and Talk” party. Also, state board members have been invited by KLFA to attend a party. Please encourage non educators to attend the parties.
After September 23rd
If you cannot attend or host a “Watch and Talk” party on September 23rd, you have permission to record the program, request a DVD or download a copy from iTunes University. You are encouraged to have party with interested stakeholders. One example is site council meetings. The program will be available through February 2010.
This broadcast is being sponsored by:
KLFA
The Kansas Learning First Alliance (KLFA) is a coalition of organizations in Kansas representing school boards, administrators, teachers and teacher educators, parents and the Kansas State Department of Education. Kansas became the first state to have a partnership affiliated with the national Learning First Alliance when KLFA was founded in 1999. The organization’s purpose is to unite the education community to improve our outstanding public education system, pre-K through higher education, to empower each Kansan to succeed in the diverse, interdependent world of the 21st century.
KTWU-TV
KTWU has been broadcasting local public television in eastern Kansas and portions of Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma since 1965 with the distinction of being the first public television station in Kansas. Viewers are served with Channel 11 offering three distinct and different broadcast options: KTWU in high definition; KTWU/MHz Worldview; and KTWU ENHANCE. KTWU is also broadcast on K30AL-LD translator channel in southeast Kansas. The station license is held by Washburn University with studios located on the Washburn campus in Topeka, Kansas. More information and programming details can be found at the station website at ktwu.org.
Kansas Learning First Alliance Educational Foundation Inc – Is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organized to support, financially or otherwise, the concept of building an educational coalition dedicated to pursuing a common agenda to improve Kansas public education.
The Kansas Learning First Alliance (KLFA) & KTWU TV11 Team Up to Present “Reading, Writing and a Worthwhile Education for Kansas Kids”
KEY FACTS:
What: “Reading, Writing & a Worthwhile Education for Kansas Kids” Watch & Talk Parties
When: September 23, 2009
Where: Watch & Talk parties are being hosted around Kansas. For a party near you or to host a party, go to www.klfa.org.
Our world is changing and Kansas students need to be prepared to meet that change. The conversation about how that should be accomplished within our public school system is a very large and multifaceted topic. It will require a great deal of discussion among educational leaders, policymakers, business representatives, parents, educators and taxpayers. “Reading, Writing and a Worthwhile Education for Kansas Kids” is the beginning of that conversation in a statewide project with two parts:
Part One/The Program: This one-hour televised program, airing September 23 on KTWU TV11 at 7:00 p.m., will be divided into three panels (educators, parents, and business representatives) all of whom will be discussing what they believe should be the educational priorities in Kansas in order for students to be prepared for the 21st century. For a listing of public broadcasting stations airing the program and times, go to www.ktwu.org
Part Two/The Discussion at local Watch & Talk Parties: To initiate conversations about educational priorities, “Watch and Talk” parties will be held immediately after the program is viewed or at a later date of the host’s choosing.
Who can participate in a “Watch and Talk Party?” – Anyone! Click www.klfa.org to find a public Watch and Talk Party to attend. Please let the host know that you will be attending. KSDE is a member of KLFA and is encouraging anyone with a listserv to invite groups to attend or sponsor a “Watch and Talk” party. Also, state board members have been invited by KLFA to attend a party. Please encourage non educators to attend the parties.
After September 23rd
If you cannot attend or host a “Watch and Talk” party on September 23rd, you have permission to record the program, request a DVD or download a copy from iTunes University. You are encouraged to have party with interested stakeholders. One example is site council meetings. The program will be available through February 2010.
This broadcast is being sponsored by:
KLFA
The Kansas Learning First Alliance (KLFA) is a coalition of organizations in Kansas representing school boards, administrators, teachers and teacher educators, parents and the Kansas State Department of Education. Kansas became the first state to have a partnership affiliated with the national Learning First Alliance when KLFA was founded in 1999. The organization’s purpose is to unite the education community to improve our outstanding public education system, pre-K through higher education, to empower each Kansan to succeed in the diverse, interdependent world of the 21st century.
KTWU-TV
KTWU has been broadcasting local public television in eastern Kansas and portions of Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma since 1965 with the distinction of being the first public television station in Kansas. Viewers are served with Channel 11 offering three distinct and different broadcast options: KTWU in high definition; KTWU/MHz Worldview; and KTWU ENHANCE. KTWU is also broadcast on K30AL-LD translator channel in southeast Kansas. The station license is held by Washburn University with studios located on the Washburn campus in Topeka, Kansas. More information and programming details can be found at the station website at ktwu.org.
Kansas Learning First Alliance Educational Foundation Inc – Is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organized to support, financially or otherwise, the concept of building an educational coalition dedicated to pursuing a common agenda to improve Kansas public education.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
President's Speech
Due to the time of the President's speech, setting up video and moving students to locations for viewing, USD 420 will be video taping the President's speech and have a designated time for students to view it. No student will be required to watch the video, but it is important that we give opportunity for those students who want to listen to the speech.
The basis for the speech is to give a response to the importance of education. Education to a child is extremely important. In the early 1900's many youth graduated from the 8th grade or dropped out before that age. Many of these 8th grade graduates went on in their life with great success. As times change the necessity of a well rounded education becomes more important. We must all work together to keep our students focused on a solid education for their future and the future of the world. We must educate students to be able to work and survive in the 21st century.
I often think about the farming industry. I once asked a farmer to think about going back and using the equipment and technology he used to farm in the 1940's. He told me that he would not be able to survive using that age of equipment. He now uses technology to figure soil needs and keep records of all the crop information. The technology in the equipment is much better today and helps to get the work completed in a much more efficient way. He now can do a full days work in almost any temperature because of the air-conditioned cab in all of his equipment. Times have changed!
Another example was given to me by a carpenter. He said that when he was young he did not think that math was all that important. He always asked the old question, "when will I really use algebra?". Now in his work as a carpenter he finds that he uses algebra every day. Carpenters, welders, plumbers, tile and flooring layers, mechanics and many other labor type occupations use math to find angles, length, materials needed, and figuring air-space for heating and cooling just to mention a few items.
As we visit with our youth about the need for an education we must remember that only through setting goals for their own future will they develop the need for a quality education. Now is the time for them to dream and get the focus of the best education they can receive. K-12 education is the foundation of their life. Please help them find the inner focus to study hard to make their future the best.
Due to the time of the President's speech, setting up video and moving students to locations for viewing, USD 420 will be video taping the President's speech and have a designated time for students to view it. No student will be required to watch the video, but it is important that we give opportunity for those students who want to listen to the speech.
The basis for the speech is to give a response to the importance of education. Education to a child is extremely important. In the early 1900's many youth graduated from the 8th grade or dropped out before that age. Many of these 8th grade graduates went on in their life with great success. As times change the necessity of a well rounded education becomes more important. We must all work together to keep our students focused on a solid education for their future and the future of the world. We must educate students to be able to work and survive in the 21st century.
I often think about the farming industry. I once asked a farmer to think about going back and using the equipment and technology he used to farm in the 1940's. He told me that he would not be able to survive using that age of equipment. He now uses technology to figure soil needs and keep records of all the crop information. The technology in the equipment is much better today and helps to get the work completed in a much more efficient way. He now can do a full days work in almost any temperature because of the air-conditioned cab in all of his equipment. Times have changed!
Another example was given to me by a carpenter. He said that when he was young he did not think that math was all that important. He always asked the old question, "when will I really use algebra?". Now in his work as a carpenter he finds that he uses algebra every day. Carpenters, welders, plumbers, tile and flooring layers, mechanics and many other labor type occupations use math to find angles, length, materials needed, and figuring air-space for heating and cooling just to mention a few items.
As we visit with our youth about the need for an education we must remember that only through setting goals for their own future will they develop the need for a quality education. Now is the time for them to dream and get the focus of the best education they can receive. K-12 education is the foundation of their life. Please help them find the inner focus to study hard to make their future the best.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
HiN1 Update
Many of you have contacted the school with questions regarding the H1N1 "Swine" Flu. USD 420, Osage City Schools wants to assure you that your child's health and well-being is a top priority of your administrators, faculty, staff and Board of Education. We have been in contact with community health partners and have developed an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan. This plan can be viewed on the schools website under the Superintendents update at www.usd420.0rg.
The plan includes a lot of detail, so below are some key points I wanted to bring to your attention:
1. The Centers for Disease Control and Kansas Department of Health and Environment guidelines require children be fever free without the use of fever-reducing medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin), for 24 hours before returning to school.
2. If your child exhibits flu-like symptoms, please keep your child home. We will have to send any child home that comes to school and is exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
3. School will remain open unless enough teachers, staff or students are absent that keeping school open is not feasible.
We have also been working with students on some simple yet effective ways to protect themselves and other in a situation such as this:
1. Covering their mouth with a tissue or sleeve when they cough and sneeze.
2. Frequent hand-washing with soap. Hand sanitizers are not a replacement for good hand washing. The school is using a non-alcohol based hand sanitizer. Alcohol based sanitizers are flammable. This could be a cause of disaster in a school building.
3. Avoiding touching their eyes, nose or mouth to minimize the risk of exposure to germs.
At this time there have been no confirmed cases of H1N1 in Osage County, which a good news. The plan details the steps we will take if USD 420 sees a sever outbreak of the H1N1 virus. Our goal here is to plan for the worst and hope for the best. We will keep you updated and informed of any new developments that impact USD 420. As always, please feel free to contact me,a building administrator, school nurse your doctor or local community health clinic with any questions or concerns.
Information pertaining to the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan Click the following site:
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dfkgwfds_233fcqbr3hk
Many of you have contacted the school with questions regarding the H1N1 "Swine" Flu. USD 420, Osage City Schools wants to assure you that your child's health and well-being is a top priority of your administrators, faculty, staff and Board of Education. We have been in contact with community health partners and have developed an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan. This plan can be viewed on the schools website under the Superintendents update at www.usd420.0rg.
The plan includes a lot of detail, so below are some key points I wanted to bring to your attention:
1. The Centers for Disease Control and Kansas Department of Health and Environment guidelines require children be fever free without the use of fever-reducing medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin), for 24 hours before returning to school.
2. If your child exhibits flu-like symptoms, please keep your child home. We will have to send any child home that comes to school and is exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
3. School will remain open unless enough teachers, staff or students are absent that keeping school open is not feasible.
We have also been working with students on some simple yet effective ways to protect themselves and other in a situation such as this:
1. Covering their mouth with a tissue or sleeve when they cough and sneeze.
2. Frequent hand-washing with soap. Hand sanitizers are not a replacement for good hand washing. The school is using a non-alcohol based hand sanitizer. Alcohol based sanitizers are flammable. This could be a cause of disaster in a school building.
3. Avoiding touching their eyes, nose or mouth to minimize the risk of exposure to germs.
At this time there have been no confirmed cases of H1N1 in Osage County, which a good news. The plan details the steps we will take if USD 420 sees a sever outbreak of the H1N1 virus. Our goal here is to plan for the worst and hope for the best. We will keep you updated and informed of any new developments that impact USD 420. As always, please feel free to contact me,a building administrator, school nurse your doctor or local community health clinic with any questions or concerns.
Information pertaining to the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan Click the following site:
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dfkgwfds_233fcqbr3hk
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