Fulton Focus
For the parents and patrons of the Fulton School District
February 3, 2017
A message from the Superintendent
Dear Parents and Patrons,
"Is my child safe at school?" is a question that is frequently asked. My standard answer has always been definitely YES, Fulton Schools are safe. The question hit home a little more with my granddaughter starting school this year in the St. Louis area and helping her parents understand the safeguards in her school.
So, what does safety mean to your student? Rather than just say your child is safe, the response includes a variety of areas and activities; a few are listed below.
· Building Access: All classroom facilities have an electronic controlled access with entrance cameras and other security cameras throughout the building. In theory, the doors are only unlocked at the beginning and end of the school day. Administrators and teachers constantly check for secure doors and remind students to leave outside doors closed.
· Transportation: All bus riders practice safety evacuations. The recent ice storm did require several bus evacuations which were safely executed with minimal confusion. Both students and drivers followed procedures, stayed calm, and evacuated without injury. Furthermore, security cameras, audio recording equipment, and tracking software help ensure the safety of our students while on the bus.
· Active Shooter Training: All staff participates in active shooter training every year sponsored by the Callaway County Sheriff with the cooperation of other law enforcement agencies. Unfortunately, this year this training was very useful. Early in the school year there was a threat to identified students at FMS and Bush Elementary. Fortunately, the perpetrator did not appear at either building; yet faculty and staff at both buildings implemented strategies to ensure the safety of everyone in the building. Last week a bus driver noted an unauthorized individual attempting to pick up a child. Again, the training to secure and get the bus to a safe location with police protection was used. Unfortunately, in this situation a parent failed to notify school officials of a new authorized individual to pick up the student. The driver followed protocol to keep students safe.
· Internet Safety: The Fulton 58 wired and wireless network meets all Children’s Internet Protection Act requirements limiting the Internet sites that can be accessed. Every student is exposed to Internet safety rules and guidelines in individual buildings.
· Drills: The district conducts required fire and tornado drills as prescribed in state regulations; plus, we have participated in the Great Shakeout earthquake drill the past few years. In addition, every classroom has an evacuation chart or process posted.
· Bullying/Harassment: All administrators, faculty, and staff are constantly guarding for any type of bullying/harassment in classrooms, buildings, and on buses. Administrators have been trained in district procedures and buildings have various strategies to maintain positive student engagement.
· Radiological Emergency Response Plan: A revised plan has been developed and is located at https://fulton58.socs.net/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/5894e3c657a9b/Radiological%20Emergency%20Plan%202017.pdf
The major goal continues to be protection of all students and staff; and to reunite children and parents. It is worth noting that any evacuation is situation dependent; however, our intent is to hold students for parent pick-up at a designated site(s) if at all possible.
Occasionally, we need the assistance of the Fulton Police Department. I am glad their support is available to assist school staff in keeping your student(s) safe. Yes, I do believe we have a safe environment for your student; and, I feel that way as your Superintendent, a parent, and a grandparent.
Thank you for sending us great kids to work with!
Sincerely,
Jacque A. Cowherd, Ed.D.
Superintendent
When to keep your child at home.....
Dear Parent/Guardian:
It is that time of year when we are experiencing an increase in the rate of illness
among our students. There is a direct relationship between health and learning. If a student is sick, their ability to learn is greatly decreased.
Keep your child home if:
● Temperature of 100 degrees or greater: must be fever free without medicine for 24 hours
● Vomiting: with associated signs of illness (vomited twice or more, fever, unable to keep food down, lethargic, decrease in normal activity, pale, headache)
● Diarrhea: frequent stools that are loose or watery compared to normal pattern-return when symptoms subside, usually 24 hours.
● Unusual or unexplained rash
● Severe cough or cold
● Red, inflamed eyes: itching, pain, or drainage are present, consult doctor
● Ringworm: area must be covered during treatment
● Head lice: can return after treatment and checked at health room
● Scabies: must provide doctor’s statement of diagnosis and treatment
● Chickenpox: keep home for 7 days from onset of rash, at that time all blisters must be dry crusts
● Strep Throat: must be on antibiotics and without fever for 24 hours
● Mononucleosis: may attend school upon the approval of a physician, as long as without fever and precautions are taken with water fountain use
It is VERY IMPORTANT that the school has a current working phone number or parent/guardian contact. To decrease the spread of illness, children need to be picked up quickly.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Tucker, BSN, RN
Director of Health Services
FMS Stepping Up to Success
On January 27, 2017, Fulton Middle School 8th grade students participated in Stepping Up to Success. On this career/transition day, community members told the students about their career.
The presenters described their job (what is a typical day like) and what type of training or education was needed to obtain their job. The presenters also gave suggestions of High School courses that would be beneficial. To make the information as real as possible, the presenters were also asked to share what problems they face in their career, what type of interactions with people they have, and what other jobs are related to their field.
Fulton High School sent representatives from many of their clubs to FMS so they could also learn what they could be involved in at Fulton High School next year. Mr. Ryan Waters, FPS Activities Director, also shared information about what athletics are available to FHS students.
The future can be scary when you don't know what's in store. This event, organized by Stephanie Horstmeier, Sara Garner, and Jo Williamson from the FMS guidance office, gave the students a starting point so they can look forward to the future!
Stepping Up to Success Kick-Off
FHS Club Representatives
Career Presenter
Fulton High School Student Professional Development
What do you want to learn today? That’s what we asked Fulton High School students--and they responded. Taxes, vehicle maintenance, self defense, songwriting, law, buying a house, and more -- students were craving more real life educational opportunities, more experiential learning, and more networking with individuals that could teach them the way the world really works. And students got exactly what they asked for. On Wednesday, February 1st, FHS hosted a Student Professional Development day, a day for student voice and choice in learning. Rather than follow the ordinary curriculum, community volunteers taught the curriculum of real life. Students chose from 35 sessions planned and presented by over 40 community members to gain the knowledge and real world skills they had requested.
To cap off the event, Mike Alden, former Athletic Director for Mizzou Athletics, addressed the student body with a message about five things an individual needs to be successful.
1. Initiative
2. Anticipatory Skills
3. Team Player
4. Life-long Learner
5. Hustle
By the time FHS students headed home, they could say they had learned a thing or two about the real world, and were a bit more prepared to find success in it. The event was organized by Fulton Public Schools Instructional Technology Coach, Joshua Howard. The day was absolutely amazing!
FHS Spring Musical
You DON'T want to miss this show!!!!!
Important Dates
February 9, 10, 11: FHS Spring Musical--see website for more details
February 17: Professional Development for Teachers NO School
February 20: Presidents' Day NO School
March 21: Kindergarten Orientation 6 p.m. Fulton High School
March 27-31: Spring Break NO School
April 4: Board of Education election
April 14: Mid-Quarter Break NO School
May 16: Last Day of School; Dismiss 2 hours early
May 19: FHS Graduation, Champ Auditorium
Fulton Public Schools
Email: ksnethen@fulton58.org
Website: www.fulton58.org
Location: 2 Hornet Drive, Fulton, MO
Phone: 573-590-8000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fulton-Public-Schools-298183414812/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @FPSHornets