Imagine Kissimmee Charter Academy
March 6th Parent Newsletter
Dear Parents:
The health and safety of our students is our top priority. Because of the state and national attention focused on the Novel (New) Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, we want to update you in a continuing effort to protect our students and staff.
As of March 4, 2020, Governor DeSantis confirmed two cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Hillsborough and Manatee counties and one visitor from another state whose status is "presumptive positive” (pending confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Five additional Florida residents have tested positive for the virus, but they are out of the country, where they will remain until healthy.
The Governor states that the risk to Florida is considered low. At this time, it is important to listen to facts and not respond to fear.
IKCA is closely monitoring the progress COVID-19 and will follow the recommendations of the CDC, Florida Department of Health, the county health department, and Osceola County School District. Presently, we are ensuring all bathrooms are continuously stocked with soap and paper towels and encouraging students and staff to wash hands frequently. Extra hand sanitizer is available in all classrooms and throughout the building.
If you or your family members are planning to travel outside the country during the upcoming spring break, experts recommend that you monitor coronavirus conditions at the country of destination and follow tips to stay safe. For travel information and advisories, visit the CDC’s travel page at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.
Meanwhile, parents and students are encouraged to do these things to help prevent the spread of illness at home and on campus:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hands).
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Anyone who believes they have symptoms associated with the Coronavirus, including a dry cough and fever combined with difficulty breathing, the elderly and people with compromising health conditions, or anyone exposed to the Coronavirus should contact their health care provider immediately. CALL AHEAD for instructions. This will allow your healthcare provider or hospital take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.
IMPORTANT RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
The Florida Department of Health has a dedicated call center for COVID-19 questions and concerns. The hotline is available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call: (866) 779-6121, or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
Florida Department of Health’s Coronavirus website. CLICK HERE to access.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus (COVID-19). CLICK HERE to access.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s FAQs: Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) and Children.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/children-faq.html
The National Association of School Psychologists and National Association of School Nurses have just released a guide for parents to talk with their children about the coronavirus.
CLICK HERE to access Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource.
We will continue to update our families as information becomes available.
As always, thank you for your cooperation and support.
Respectfully,
Lori McCarley
Principal
This week at IKCA
Tech Safety with Bark
5 Tech Skills That Are Now Life Skills
While we don’t have the hoverboards or flying cars we were promised in Back to the Future, we are definitely living in the future. Technology is now a part of every childhood, and although it may seem like your kid mainly uses their phone to watch YouTube or make silly TikTok videos, there are important things they need to learn right now that will help them throughout their entire life. These tips will allow you to start conversations that will empower them to grow into responsible digital citizens.
1. Using Search Engines the Smart Way
Thanks to smartphones, we all have instant access to the entirety of human knowledge in our pockets. But not every piece of online information is created equal. Give your kids a lesson in spotting the difference between reputable content and advertisements — it can be as easy as showing them the sponsored results versus the actual results when you google “pizza near me.” You can also teach them how to conduct internet research so that they’re only relying on trustworthy sources instead of personal blogs or sketchy websites.
Click here to keep reading this great blog
by Haley Zapal
March Dates to Remember
Friday, March 6th - School Dances
- K & 1st - 1:10PM - 2:10PM
- 2nd & 3rd - 2:15PM - 3:15PM
- 4th & 5th - 6:00PM - 7:30PM
- 6th - 8th - 8:00PM - 10:00PM
Wednesday, March 11th - Spring Pictures
Thursday, March 12th - Cici's Night*
Thursday, March 12th - K-5th Field Day
Thursday, March 12th - Spirit Day
Friday, March 13th - Teacher Work Day/Conference Day
Monday, March 16th - Friday, March 20th - Spring Break
Tuesday, March 24th - PTO Chick-fil-a Night
Thursday, March 26th - SAC Meeting 5:00PM*
Thursday, March 26th - SAB Meeting 6:00PM*
Friday, March 27th - Spirit Day & Smelly Pencil Sales
*Volunteer Opportunities
IMAGINE KISSIMMEE CHARTER ACADEMY
Website: http://www.imaginekca.org
Location: 2850 Bill Beck Boulevard, Kissimmee, FL, USA
Phone: (407)847-1400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Imagine-Kissimmee-Charter-Academy