This was a week of celebration. HCR kids are learning about, practicing, and demonstrating their ROSE values each and every day. We are so proud to have a tradition of being a school that prioritizes character education.

Kids can be recognized in many ways at HCR. We honor kids with GOTCHAS and ROSE Letters when their choices match our values of Respect, Ownership, Safety, and Excellence. This is a tradition that is still very important at school and in the community. Notice the kids all get to sit on the ROSE rug. Still, some still want a special dance party (who can blame them) and others want a secret handshake. Stay tuned as we keep watching our student community flourish and love each other.

A special and crucial part of each classroom day is the morning meeting. During morning meetings we explicitly teach school-wide universals, the ROSE Values, character education, the importance of student leadership, set goals, and resolve classroom issues.

Artists included:

Olivia, Arka, Cameron, Jaden, Laney, Enzo in 5th grade

Phoebe in 4th

Ava in 3rd

Ellie and CJ in first

Thank you to our AMAZING art teacher, Mrs. Norell!

We will have our annual Fall/Halloween party and parade on Friday the 29th of October. Remember this is a half-day. We are still working with Chesterfield Police to finalize the parade. We will let you know when this is official.

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Trunk or Treat - This is an optional community event. Parents will park on HCR Drive and walk through the HCR parking lot visiting Trunks for Treats! This entire event will be outside and spaced out.

October

• 25 All Read @ 3:20 PM
• 28 AVA STRONG BLOOD DRIVE
• 29 Fall/Halloween Parties and Parade - Time TBD Soon!
• 29 Half Day - End of 1st Quarter - Dismissal at 1:00 PM
• 29 Trunk or Treat 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the HCR parking lot

To see events for the year click here.

Happy October,

This is my favorite month of the year! The leaves are changing and the colors are beautiful and the weather is getting cooler outside. Get outside when you can and explore!

As we are starting into the winter months and fall allergy season, please know there are other viruses and illnesses that come about in the fall and are going into the winter months. We of course are always greatly concerned about COVID but there are other things we need to consider when children are running a fever and have coughs and runny noses. If we are wearing masks properly and washing our hands some of these viruses and infections are less prevalent. Kids do get sick and some of the more common illnesses we are seeing are Strep, Upper Respiratory Infections, Bronchitis, Asthma exacerbation, and allergies. In the fall ragweed and goldenrod bloom all over Missouri. Mold is also a big allergen. Mold is found in wet leaves that kids love to jump in As the leaves start to fall and the days get colder the moisture on the ground doesn’t dry out during the day and the mold count goes higher and higher. So if your child has allergies this could be the cause of their issues. Consult with your child’s primary care provider if your child is sick.

Speaking of your child’s Primary Care Provider, they should be the first ones you turn to when your child is sick. They know your child best and they have a record of past issues and illnesses. Always consult them first, even in the evening or night when your child becomes ill. They all have 24 hour emergency call services that could save you time and money by calling to consult with them before running off to the urgent care or ER. But if you have a serious life-threatening medical concern the ER is usually best bet.

Below is a copy of the Parkway Health Guideline to know when your child should stay home.

Illness Guidelines

• If your child will not be attending school for any reason, it is very important for you to call and notify the school office of the reason for the absence. This helps us to keep track of illnesses among our students. It also helps us be assured that your child is safe at home.
  For the health of your child, other students, and school staff, it is important to know when your child should stay home due to illness. Students should stay home if they have had any of the following symptoms:

• fever of 100.4 or higher in the past 24 hours

• undiagnosed rash that is accompanied by fever or itching

• bad cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours

• sore throat, with fever or swollen glands in the neck

• loss of sense of smell or taste

• symptoms of being sick such as being unusually tired, fussy, pale or had difficulty waking

• If your child has strep throat or another bacterial infection, he/she should stay home until the antibiotic has been given for at least 24 hours and your health care provider has given permission for your child to return to school. We encourage you to seek medical attention when your child is sick and to follow your health care provider's recommendations about returning to school and other social activities.
  Symptoms of COVID-19
  
  (Source: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm)

Elementary students are not allowed to bring medicine to school, this includes cough drops or inhalers. If your child needs medication at school it has to be administered by the school nurse. Below are the medication guidelines for school. These guidelines are for every child’s safety and protection. So please never send your child to school with medicine.

Medication at School

• All medications administered at school require parent and physician authorization. Only FDA approved medications will be administered during the school day.
  
  If your child needs to take medication at school, including over-the-counter medications, here are some important rules and policies to follow:

1. Medications must be brought to school by the parent or another responsible adult in the original container.

2. All medication is to be taken to the nurse’s office for secured, locked storage.

3. Prescription medications must be in a prescription-labeled container, the label stating the child’s name, current date, medication name and directions for administration.

4. Over-the-counter medications must be in their original containers.

5. Parent permission forms must accompany any kind of medication. Physician permission also must accompany over-the-counter medications given for longer than 5 days and any prescription medication to be given.

6. If your child has asthma or a life threatening allergy, and you and your child’s physician believe it necessary for your child to carry a “rescue” medication, as opposed to keeping it in the nurse’s office, please contact your school nurse.

7. All left-over medication stored in the school health office must be picked up from the school nurse by the parent or legal guardian at the end of the school year. No medications will be sent home with students.

• Medication Authorization Forms, Asthma Action Plans, Food Allergy Action Plans, Diabetes Medical Management Plans and Seizure Action Plans are available from your school nurse or for downloading from the Health Services Forms page of the Parkway website.
  If you have questions please contact Cathy Hubert at 314-415-6410 or Diane Brown, Director of Health Services, at (314) 415-5278.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me either by phone or email.

Cathy Hubert BSN, RN, NCSN

Nationally certified School Nurse

Highcroft Ridge Elementary

314-415-6410-office

314-415-6419-fax

chubert2@parkwayschools.net

People are doing an AWESOME job turning engines off. Please continue to feel free to leave them on until 4:00 pm when we bring your children to your cars. Thank you for the suggestion from a parent who made the process safer for all. Please feel free to call us anytime. We all need to work together to make this a great place.