Wolfpack Howler
Volume 20 Issue 11 - Dec 10, 2021
Want to Prepare for Final Exams with your Student? Check out this FINALS PLANNER document
WOLFPACK GEAR FOR SALE!
Cash, Check, or Credit Card accepted between 8am-3pm
At-Home Testing Kits NOW Available
FNSBSD enrolled students and staff now have access to at-home COVID-19 antigen testing kits. These tests are intended for non-symptomatic students or adults. These kits do not replace the need for PCR testing for symptomatic individuals or surveillance testing for sports and special district activities. PCR testing is available to school district staff and students at three locations in a partnership with Beacon.
These kits are a convenient way to monitor for COVID-19 and make informed and responsible decisions following travel or prior to group gatherings. Over-the-counter antigen tests can be self-administered at home in a matter of minutes and are designed to be easy to use.
When over-the-counter antigen tests are useful:
To help families make informed and responsible decisions and maintain healthy schools
To monitor for possible COVID-19 illness
To monitor following a close contact of confirmed COVID-19
To test before or after attending an in-person event or gathering
To test people after they travel
How will these be distributed?
Please use this link to fill out a request At-Home COVID-19 Antigen Test Kit form.
Tests can be picked up at West Valley High, 8am-3pm
More information
All the needed materials (including a nasal swab and easy-to-follow instructions) are included in the box.
Each at-home test kit comes with two cards for two separate tests. If either one of the two test results are positive, people should consider themselves positive. A subsequent negative card does not overrule a positive.
Please report positive results to your school nurse and follow the FNSBSD Wellness Check.
More information about at-home tests is available at CDC Self-Testing.
School Efficiency Work:
IMPORTANT DATES FOR THIS WORK:
Wednesday, December 15 - School Efficiency Informational Session
@ 6pm in Hering Auditorium and streamed online
- Information about school efficiency and the options being considered will be presented and commonly asked questions answered.
- You can submit questions now.
- The Board of Education will review and discuss the task force recommendations, feedback form results, and information from district administration.
- Open to the public, but no public testimony.
Tuesday, January 18 - Regular Meeting
- The Board of Education will present the final recommendations they are considering.
- Public testimony available.
Tuesday, February 1 - Regular Meeting
- The Board of Education will vote on the final recommendations.
- Public testimony available.
We appreciate our Substitutes! Join the team!
PTSA Volunteer and Donation Sign-up
The last week of the semester, PTSA will be showing our appreciation for the Wolfpack Staff AND providing snacks for students between their finals. Below are sign-up opportunities for families to do what they can - bring in breakfast items, or SNACKS - WE NEED LOTS OF SNACKS! OR you can come in to hand out snacks. There are 3 different opportunities below:
- Drop off breakfast items early (6:30am) the morning of Dec. 15 OR the day before.
- Bring in SNACKS - Sign up for as many slots as you'd like - those can be dropped off NOW
- Volunteer between 9-9:45am on the days of finals to hand out snacks.
Parent Feedback Portal: Now Open in PowerSchool
If you’re unfamiliar with it, Parent Feedback provides parents/guardians with the opportunity to give input on their student’s teachers. You can use the online feature, or pick up a paper copy of the parent feedback form in the front office or print off and drop off at the school office.
WVHS Counseling Office: 479-4221 ext. 46520
Willie Blackburn | A-F (10th-12th) ext 46525
Colleen Johnston | G-N (10th-12th) ext 46524
Anna Sprague | O-Z (10th-12th) ext 46527
Teesha Lane | all Freshmen ext 46523
Upcoming Events:
Link to School District Calendar | Special Weeks Class Rotations
DEC 15, 16, & 17 | Final Exams - Early Release
JAN | Registration is Coming!
FEB 1 | School Board Meeting - Vote on Building Utilization Scheduled
MAY 12 | GRADUATION!
Masking Optional in January
At the Board of Education regular meeting Tuesday, the Board passed the following motion to remove the districtwide masking requirement beginning next semester:
- Move to make masks optional at every district facility and for all students and staff operating under authority of Fairbanks North Star Borough Board of Education, starting January 3, 2022.
Students and staff are required to continue to wear a mask when in school buildings for the remainder of the first semester and through winter break.
The district will continue using a layered approach to COVID mitigation. Targeted masking may be required of staff and students in situations where the heightened protection protocol is in place. Families and staff are encouraged to continue using the free testing services available. It is important that students and staff continue to practice the mitigation strategies that are in place, such as regular hand washing and staying home if you're not feeling well.
As we learn to coexist with the COVID virus, it is important now more than ever to conduct ourselves courteously, practice the habit of cleanliness, and remain cautious about how we conduct ourselves in our community.
Exposure Alerts - Opt In
The alert would only notify you of a possible exposure in the classroom, similar to what we did at the very start of the school year. All staff and students should continue to follow the Wellness Check Information daily and not report to school if any symptoms develop. Staff and students can schedule a free testing appointment with Beacon Monday thru Friday.
Thank you for all of your support to keep our school a safe and healthy place for our staff and students.
Antigen Screening Testing - Why get tested regularly?
Why is our school doing Antigen testing for COVID-19?
Regular testing is a safe, effective way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Many people with COVID-19, especially children and teens, don’t have symptoms but can still spread the virus, so regular testing helps find infections before they can spread to others.
Why should I get regular Antigen Screening Tests?
Here are some reasons why a person should regularly antigen test:
- Frequently visit an elderly person
- Frequently visit a person with an underlying condition (high risk)
- Have younger siblings at home who are not yet able to get vaccinated
- Piece of mind
- Possible exposure to a COVID positive person
- Prevent an asymptomatic COVID positive person to spread the virus
- You can still get COVID even if you are vaccinated (break through cases)
How and when can my student get tested?
Getting tested once a week or every three days after a possible exposure are suggested timelines for screening testing in schools.
- NOW - Request AT-HOME TESTING KITS
- Please use this link to fill out a request At-Home COVID-19 Antigen Test Kit form.
Tests can be picked up at West Valley High, 8am-3pm
Our school nurse, Corinne Roe, can easily and quickly conduct antigen testing in her office. Students can come down and see her during Extension, lunch, or before school. Parent permission is required before testing can occur (most students have forms on file already).
Beacon is also offering antigen testing, but parents must be present for their testing.
West Valley High School
Email: contact-wvh@k12northstar.org
Website: https://www.k12northstar.org/westvalley
Location: 3800 Geist Road, Fairbanks, AK, USA
Phone: (907)479-4221
Facebook: facebook.com/wvhWolfpack/
Twitter: @wvhWolfpack