Vanguard East News!
March 2020
4th Annual Science Fair!
Vanguard East is having our annual upper school science fair this March 2020! Each student, grades 6-12, is required to complete a scientific inquiry project with both a poster and a paper. The students have been working very hard both in class and outside of class since January. Our most popular topics this year are in engineering, food chemistry, and botany. The poster grade will be in the 3rd Quarter, and the paper grade will be in the 4th Quarter; both will be a significant portion of the grade. Make sure to ask your student about their project, and come see the posters.
The VCS East Cultural Celebration was a HUGE Success!
Earth Day T-shirts
Butter Braids Sales for Outdoor Lab
Order Your Yearbook Now!
Vanguard East's yearbooks are on sale now until 3/31! Hard cover yearbooks are $25, and soft cover yearbooks are $20.
Order online at mymjthomas.com and enter code vanguardyb1920!
Staff Members of the Month
Ms. Kim, Kindergarten Teacher
Ms. Tryba-Detrick, Secondary Art Teacher
Thank you to all of the families that donated food to the teachers for Parent/Teacher conferences !
We were wondering . . .
Core Virtue of the Month...Compassion
- Compassion is feeling what others are feeling and trying to help with their troubles.
- Compassion is feeling the pain of others, and acting to end their distress.
CMAS 2020
Letter Regarding the Coronavirus
Though Colorado has no cases of 2019-nCoV, the department is taking this public health threat very seriously, closely monitoring the outbreak and refining Colorado’s response. Our efforts right now include providing information about the outbreak and how to report suspect cases to local health departments and health care providers. The department is also coordinating with local public health agencies to determine the need for monitoring, quarantine, or other restriction of movement and activities for travelers returning from China.
We understand that new viruses like this can be worrisome, especially to students, parents, and staff. We echo the CDC’s statement that the risk to people in the United States is low at this time. It’s important to convey that risk is based on exposure. People at higher risk for exposure are:
● People who have traveled to China within the last two weeks and have symptoms.
● People who had direct close contact with someone who was confirmed to have the novel coronavirus.
● And like any other virus, no identity, community, ethnic, or racial group in Colorado is more at risk for getting or spreading 2019 novel coronavirus.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that have been associated with respiratory illness such as fever, cough and shortness of breath. Illness is spread through coughing or sneezing, much like the flu. Some coronaviruses are common and regularly cause respiratory illness in the U.S. in the fall and winter. Other coronaviruses like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV have caused outbreaks internationally and have been known to cause severe illness. Person-to-person spread is thought to occur mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory viruses spread.
A person who tests positive for coronavirus on a regular test from the doctor's office does not have 2019-nCoV, but instead has one of the regularly circulating coronaviruses which cause cold symptoms. 2019-nCoV can only be diagnosed through special testing done at a public health laboratory. It is important to remind parents and students who are worried about 2019-nCoV or any respiratory virus that they can protect themselves by practicing everyday preventive actions:
● Clean hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub.
● Cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing.
● Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.
● Get a flu shot if you haven’t gotten one this year.
School and child care settings can also help control the spread of respiratory pathogens by regularly cleaning and sanitizing high touch surfaces (door knobs, hand rails, etc.).
The outbreak of 2019-nCoV is changing rapidly, the CDC is providing updated information on their Coronavirus web page here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
The department and your local public health agency will work with the school nurse to assess the situation and communicate appropriate control measures. We will share additional information and guidance as it becomes available. If you have specific questions about 2019-nCoV, please call your local public health agency or CDPHE at 303.692.2700.
Thank you,
Nisha Alden, MPH Respiratory Disease Program Manager Communicable Disease Branch Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response
Information from Our School Health Professional Team
What is Child Abuse and Neglect?
At the Federal level, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) defines child abuse and neglect as: Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation, or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.
There are different types of abuse:
Physical Abuse: is usually defined as “any non accidental physical injury to the child” and can include striking, kicking, burning, or biting the child, or any action that results in physical impairment of the child. Abuse of a child also includes acts or circumstances that threaten the child with harm or create a substantial risk of harm to the child’s health or welfare.
Neglect: is defined as the failure of a parent or other person with responsibility for the child to provide needed food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision to the degree that the child's health, safety, and well-being are threatened with harm.
Emotional Abuse: is injury to the psychological capacity or emotional stability of the child as evidenced by an observable or substantial change in behavior, emotional response, or cognition, and injury as evidenced by anxiety, depression, withdrawal, or aggressive behavior.
Parental Substance Abuse: is parental exposure of a child to harm due to the parent(s) use of an illegal drug or other substance. Allowing a child to be present where the chemicals or equipment for the manufacture of controlled substances are used or stored. Use of a controlled substance by a caregiver that impairs the caregivers ability to adequately care for the child.
Abandonment: it is considered abandonment of the child when the parent’s identity or whereabouts are unknown, the child has been left by the parent in circumstances in which the child suffers serious harm, or the parent has failed to maintain contact with the child or to provide reasonable support for a specified period of time.
Sexual Abuse/Exploitation: Sexual Abuse can be referred to as molestation, is usually an undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another person is considered child abuse. Sexual Abuse also includes human trafficking, sex trafficking, or trafficking of children for sexual purposes. Sexual exploitation is defined when a child is allowed to engage in prostitution or production of child pornography.
Child Abuse and Neglect: Consequences
Physical
There is an estimated 676,000 children that were confirmed by child protective services as being victims of abuse and neglect in 2016.
At least one in four children have experienced child neglect or abuse (including physical, emotional, and sexual) at some point in their lives, and one in seven children experienced abuse or neglect in the last year.
In 2016, 1,750 children died from abuse and neglect across the country.
Abuse and neglect during infancy or early childhood can cause regions of the brain to form and function improperly with long term consequences on cognitive and language abilities, socioemotional development, and mental health.
Psychological
In a recent study, as many as 80% of young adults who had been abused met the diagnostic criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder at the age of 21. These young adults had depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and suicide attempts.
The stress of chronic abuse may result in anxiety and may make victims more vulnerable to problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, conduct disorder, and learning, attention, and memory difficulties.
Youth who have experienced child abuse and neglect receive more medications for depression, anxiety, and other issues than other youth in psychiatric care.
Behavioral
Children who experience abuse and neglect are at increased risk for smoking, alcoholism, and drug abuse as adults, as well as engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors.
Those with a history of child abuse and neglect are 1.5 times more likely to use illicit drugs, especially marijuana, in middle adulthood.
Abused and neglected children are about 25% more likely to experience problems such as delinquency, teen pregnancy, and low academic achievement.
One study found that physically abused children were at greater risk of being arrested as juveniles, being a teen parent, and not graduating high school.
A National Institute of Justice study indicated that being abused or neglected as a child increased the likelihood of arrest as a juvenile by 59%. Abuse and neglect also increased the likelihood of adult criminal behavior by 28% and violent crime by 30%.
Child abuse and neglect can have a negative effect on the ability of people to establish and maintain healthy intimate relationships in adulthood.
Ways to Help Prevent Child Abuse
1) Be a nurturing parent of caregiver.
Children need to know that they are special, loved, and capable of following their dreams.
2) Help a friend, neighbor, relative.
Being a parent isn’t easy. Offer a helping hand take care of the children, so the
parent(s) can rest, or spend time together.
3) Help Yourself.
When the big and little problems of your everyday life pile up to the point you feel
overwhelmed and out of control-take a time out, don’t take it out on your kids.
4) If Your Baby Cries…
It can be frustrating to hear your baby cry. Learn what to do if your baby won’t
stop crying. Never shake a baby-shaking a child may result in severe injury or
death.
5) Monitor your child’s television, video, internet viewings/usage.
Excessively watching violent films, TV programs, and videos can harm a young
child.
6) Volunteer at a local child abuse prevention program.
For information about volunteer opportunities, call 1-800-CHILDREN
7) REPORT SUSPECTED ABUSE OR NEGLECT
If you have reason to believe a child has been or may be harmed, call your local
department of children and family services, or your local police department.
Resources
https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubpdfs/define.pdf
https://preventchildabuse.org/resource/ten-ways-to-help-prevent-child-abuse/
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect/consequences.html
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/CAN-Prevention-Technical-Package.pdf
Youth Mental Health First Aid course
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Through the School Health Professional Grant, Vanguard has been working to educate our students and staff about mental health. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. Vanguard recognizes that our students and families go through experiences that shape their lives and their ability to function.
As Vanguard works to educate and support the mental health of our students, we also recognize the importance of educating our families about youth mental health. Families are often the first to recognize changes within their children, however, it is often difficult to understand why these changes are occurring or what our children are experiencing. Vanguard wants to help our families learn more about youth mental health, how to recognize warning signs, and how to best support our children.
In partnership with Denver Mental Health, Vanguard is offering a free Youth Mental Health First Aid Class for caregivers. Through the Youth Mental Health First Aid class, individuals will learn common mental health concerns for youth, recognize signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use problems, and how to use a 5-step action plan to help a young person facing a mental health crisis.
*There will be a Youth Mental Health First Aid for both Spanish and English speaking families.
Date: 3/7/2020
Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location: Vanguard East Campus: 17101 East Ohio Drive, Aurora, CO, 80017
*Space for this class is limited so if you are interested please contact Caroline DuBreuil at the East Campus or Brenna Sterling at the West Campus
Caroline DuBreuil: 303-338-4110 or cdubreuil@vanguardclassical.org
Brenna Sterling: 303-226-5527 bsterling@vanguardclassical.org
For more information please visit the link below
https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/population-focused-modules/youth/
VCS East Events
Read Across America/Dr. Seuss Dress Up Day
Monday, Mar 2, 2020, 07:30 AM
Vanguard Classical School, East Ohio Drive, Aurora, CO, USA
Drama Club Presents The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
Wednesday, Mar 4, 2020, 06:00 PM
Vanguard Classical School, East Ohio Drive, Aurora, CO, USA
Jeans Day!
Friday, Mar 6, 2020, 07:30 AM
17101 East Ohio Drive, Aurora, CO, USA
Youth Mental Health Training
Saturday, Mar 7, 2020, 08:00 AM
Vanguard Classical School, East Ohio Drive, Aurora, CO, USA
Spring Forward...Daylight Savings Time Begins
Sunday, Mar 8, 2020, 03:00 AM
Colorado, USA
HS Science Fair Poster Session
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2020, 02:45 PM
17101 East Ohio Drive, Aurora, CO, USA
VCS East Band Concert
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2020, 06:00 PM
Vanguard Classical School, East Ohio Drive, Aurora, CO, USA
MS Science Fair Poster Session
Wednesday, Mar 11, 2020, 02:45 PM
17101 East Ohio Drive, Aurora, CO, USA
VCS East Orchestra Concert
Wednesday, Mar 11, 2020, 06:00 PM
Vanguard Classical School, East Ohio Drive, Aurora, CO, USA
Field Trip to Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Thursday, Mar 12, 2020, 07:30 AM
17101 East Ohio Drive, Aurora, CO, USA
Skate City Night
Thursday, Mar 12, 2020, 06:00 PM
Skate City Aurora, East Girard Avenue, Aurora, CO, USA
NO SCHOOL -- Professional Development Day
Friday, Mar 13, 2020, 07:30 AM
Vanguard Classical School, East Ohio Drive, Aurora, CO, USA
Spring Break
Monday, Mar 16, 2020, 07:30 AM
17101 East Ohio Drive, Aurora, CO, USA
CMAS Window
Monday, Mar 23, 2020, 08:00 AM
Vanguard Classical School, East Ohio Drive, Aurora, CO, USA
VCS Board Meeting -- East Campus
Thursday, Mar 26, 2020, 06:30 PM
Vanguard Classical School, East Ohio Drive, Aurora, CO, USA
Elementary Quarter 3 Academic Awards
- K-2: 8:00-8:30 am
- 3-5: 8:40-9:15 am
Friday, Mar 27, 2020, 08:00 AM
Vanguard Classical School, East Ohio Drive, Aurora, CO, USA
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