Panther PAWPrints Newsletter
October 2020
CAMPUS NEWS
3rd Grade Tornado in a Bottle
4th-5th Grammar Escape Room
6th-8th Grade Montana Mining History Project
6th-8th Grade Solar System Play
Pioneer's Sick Policy
We've had some questions regarding Pioneer's COVID-19 Guidelines vs Sick Policy. Our COVID-19 Guidelines were created to navigate potential positive COVID-19 cases and mitigate the risk for student/staff exposure. Our sick policy is still in effect along with the COVID-19 Guidelines. The difference of how each will be handled falls within the symptoms that are present, as well as the NUMBER of symptoms that are present. Please read the following information carefully.
If students exhibit ONE of the following symptoms, it is recommended they stay home OR will be sent home for 48 hours until after the symptoms resolve:
Ill with any ONE symptom and feeling too sick to participate in the usual day activities or what is normal for that child.
The illness results in a greater need for care than school staff can provide without compromising their ability to care for other students.
Fever defined as a temperature of 100.4° axillary or higher.
Diarrhea
Vomiting more than 2 times in the previous 24 hours, unless the vomiting is determined to be caused by non-communicable condition and the child is not in danger of dehydration.
Abdominal pain that continues over 2 hours or intermittent abdominal pain with fever, dehydration and/or other signs of illness.
Mouth sores with drooling unless determined by health care provider to be non-infectious.
Impetigo, until 48 hours after treatment has been started.
Strep throat, until 48 hours after treatment has been started.
Head lice or nits, until after first treatment.
Scabies, until after treatment has been given.
Chickenpox (varicella) until all lesions have dried or crusted.
Other communicable diseases such as Rubella, Mumps, Measles, Hepatitis A until no longer considered infectious.
Draining skin sores that can’t be covered or drainage contained unless evaluated and determined to be non-infectious in the school setting by a healthcare professional.
Conditions that do not require school exclusion no addressed above:
Bacterial conjunctivitis, clear eye drainage not associated with fever, eye pain or eyelid redness, or yellow or white eye drainage not associated with pink or red conjunctiva (white of the eyes).
Ringworm: Exclusion for treatment may be at the end of the day and exclusion not required when treatment has begun.
Pioneer's COVID-19 Guidelines
NURSE KAREN'S NOTES
COVID-19 Pandemic
A pandemic is a global outbreak of disease. Pandemics happen when a new virus emerges to infect people and can spread between people sustainably. Because there is little to no pre-existing immunity against the new virus, it spreads worldwide.
The virus that causes COVID-19 is infecting people and spreading easily from person-to-person. This is the first pandemic known to be caused by the emergence of a new coronavirus. In the past century, there have been four pandemics caused by the emergence of novel influenza viruses. As a result, most research and guidance around pandemics is specific to influenza, but the same premises can be applied to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Pandemics of respiratory disease follow a certain progression outlined in a “Pandemic Intervals Framework.” Pandemics begin with an investigation phase, followed by recognition, initiation, and acceleration phases. The peak of illnesses occurs at the end of the acceleration phase, which is followed by a deceleration phase, during which there is a decrease in illnesses. Different countries can be in different phases of the pandemic at any point in time and different parts of the same country can also be in different phases of a pandemic.
There are ongoing investigations to learn more. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available and posted to RiverStone Health site. (see link below) If you have specific questions, please call RiverStone Health Public Information Line: 406.651.6415
RiverStone Health Covid Information https://covid.riverstonehealth.org/
Topics covered
What if I might be a close contact?
Where can I get tested?
How do I care for someone who is diagnosed with Covid-19?
What is Isolation?
What is Quarantine?
For state information please refer to the DPHHS site: (click on the map to see details for each county) https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/cdepi/diseases/coronavirusmt
For School related Covid cases in Montana, please refer to the DPHHS site: https://dphhs.mt.gov/Portals/85/publichealth/documents/CDEpi/DiseasesAtoZ/2019-nCoV/School%20cases%209162020%20(003).pdf
National information please find accurate up to date information at the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
Stay healthy and well.
Nurse Karen Graf MSN, RN-BC, APHN-BC Phone (406) 247-3367
WE NEED YOU! Substitute Teaching
Interested in making a difference? Pioneer Elementary is looking for substitute teachers and we'd love to add you to our list!
Pay: $100.00 a day
Apply by emailing: schnitzmeier@pioneerschool.us
SEARCHING! Substitute Bus Driver
Contact Melissa Schnitzmeier or Marilyn Michael at (406)373-5357 for more information.
Principal/Superintendent's Notes
Dear Panther Families,
As we look outside, we see leaves starting to change and beginning to fall. Pumpkins are starting to emerge on doorsteps and we are all looking forward to the chill in the air that Fall is certain to bring. Here on campus, learning has been in full swing. Teachers and students are diving into their content with extra enthusiasm and excitement as we are all so excited to be back on campus. In addition to academia, teachers are busy establishing school standards and expectations by defining their daily routines and procedures. Routines, blended with the teacher’s consistently high standards form a smooth running classroom where children have the security of understanding their environment and are reinforced positively for their hard work and contributions to the classroom family.
At home, routines can also make completing chores easier for both parents and children alike. If children are continuously held accountable and expected to complete routine household duties at the same time, on the same days, in the same place, they soon begin to develop a responsibility for their commitment and contribution to the family.
Now that we have settled into the 2020-2021 school year, we can begin looking at opening our Adult Education classes. This year, our classes will be held virtually through Zoom. A list of monthly class topics can be found at Pioneer Adult Education.
Normally, I would spend some time highlighting our district’s community events that were on the horizon. As you all know, this year, we must forgo those events. However, the Panther PTA and I are working tirelessly to come up with creative alternative ways to engage our campus community. Stay tuned for those virtual events as we hope that you will embrace them as you have our in-person community events in the past.
I hope you all have the very best October. As usual, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Be well, Panthers!
Sincerely,
Melissa Schnitzmeier
Principal/Superintendent, Pioneer Elementary
Email: schnitzmeier@pioneerschool.usPhone: (406) 373-5357
Adult Education
Foreign Language - Spanish
Pioneer School is excited to offer its first Adult Education, foreign language class. This year, the language of focus will be Spanish. We have 6 spots available for this class which will take place every Monday. Classes will begin Monday, October 12th, 2020, and run through Monday, May 3rd, 2021. If you are interested in this course, please register by clicking on this link below.
Class Information: Spanish
Fee: None
Date: Monday nights 10/12/2020-5/3/2021
Spots Available: 6
Panther PTA News
This year, our fundraising and family events will look a little different than in years past due to COVID-19. But, worry not! We are working tirelessly to come up with creative and fun ways to engage as a community while maintaining safety measures and protocols during this challenging time.
Stay tuned for these events in upcoming newsletters!
If you are interested in participating in this IMPORTANT event, please contact us for more information at pioneerpta@pioneerschool.us.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Tiffany Kuntz - President
Trevor Krieger - Vice President
Melissa Schnitzmeier - Treasurer
Alyssa Krieger - Secretary