Happy Friday, Lil Steamer Families!
September 4, 2020
From the desk of: Principal Hoese
Lil Steamer Families --
Our transition to on-site learning over the past few weeks has gone very well! We feel that our school continues to be a safe learning environment for our students and we are optimistic about the gradual transition back to on-site learning every day for our students.
However, we have to come understand that education is day-to-day in our current world and that it can change quickly. For example, Labor Day weekend is upon us which commonly means gatherings and celebrating. The unfortunate side effect in our current pandemic is the increased risk of exposure and the impact that could have on our schools.
While we are certainly eager to have our students return to full days of attendance instead of alternating Anchor/Boat Days, we are mindful that it must be done SAFELY. We know the frustrations and the inconveniences families experience with our shortened school days and alternating hybrid model. But the past two and a half weeks have proven successful.
If we are not mindful in a safe approach to returning to days of full student attendance, we run the risk of needing to switch to a full remote learning model. And I think it is safe to say we all agree that the current format of 2 days of on-site learning is better than zero days of on-site learning.
My hope is that we are able to start gradually increasing our student attendance one grade level at a time (perhaps one grade level per week) towards the end of September or early October. From March 13th until now, I have learned to avoid creating detailed, specific plans as they commonly change.
The best I can do is provide my general thoughts in the direction of the Greatest Little Elementary School in the Universe. Our staff and students continue to be amazing. Thanks for your support, patience, and the grace you have shown us all. We will continue to do our best for all of our kids.
#WEDOTHEWORK,
JAGH
From the desk of: Mrs. Meumann
As I visit classrooms this month, we will focus on building a positive classroom community and promoting positive peer relationships. We shared some of our interests and discussed the importance of listening with attention. It never hurts to review listening skills with your children. Good listeners focus on the speaker’s words, ask questions to find out more, repeat back what they have heard, and never interrupt. It’s respectful to listen with attention as it helps you to learn and shows that you care about what others have to say.
FREE Online Parent Series for Educational Technology
- Google Classroom
- Seesaw
- Canvas
- Microsoft Teams
Click the flyer below for information, dates, and links!
FES Receives $1,500 Donation!
1B Students Work on Their Mindset!
Can't Mask The Love For Their 2nd Graders!
5B is Off to a Great Start!
5B is off to an amazing start to an unique school year! We are lucky to have a student teacher with us this semester. Ms. Larkey is from Clinton and is attending Western Illinois University. We enjoy our student teacher with us!
Before Labor Day COVID-19 Cases and Test Positivity on the Rise in Whiteside County with 27% of Total Cases Identified in the Last 14 Days
September 4, 2020 – As we all prepare for Labor Day, the Whiteside County Health Department reminds everyone COVID-19 is on the rise in Whiteside County, throughout Illinois and Iowa. We urge EVERYONE to work together to protect one another from COVID-19 by physically distancing and masking around friends, family and strangers, staying home when you have symptoms of COVID-19, diligently washing your hands, and holding events and gatherings outdoors when possible.
In just the last 14 days (8/21 - 9/03) Whiteside County identified 158 (27%) of the 580 total cases. Additionally, during the month of August Whiteside County saw a rise in both cases and a 2.44% increase in our test positivity rate. Finally, with 18 new cases announced, August 31st became Whiteside’s highest single total day.
Whiteside County saw an increase in cases among most age groups in August. While there were increases among those 60 and older, who are at highest risk for severe illness, the majority of new cases were among individuals in their 20s and their 50s. This reminds us all ages, and particularly those in their 20s and 50s, need to take steps to protect those around them.
Recently, Whiteside County has also seen a worrying increase in the number of individuals unable to help us identify who or where they were exposed through contact tracing. This reinforced the fact that COVID-19 is being spread by individuals with mild to no symptoms who may not realize they are sick. That is why we ask everyone to mask and physically distance when around others. This is essential if you are planning on getting together with friends and family or traveling this Labor Day weekend.
“Our recent increase in cases and positivity rate seems to indicate that while testing, isolation and quarantine is helping to control COVID-19, it alone is not enough. Successful intervention is going to require a multilayered approach from all of us,” said Cory Law Whiteside County Public Information Officer, “If you are not actively working to slow the spread of COVID-19 through physically distancing and masking when around people you do not live with, staying home when you have COVID-19 symptoms, and frequently washing your hands, intentional or not, you are helping contribute to its spread in our community.”
The Whiteside County Health Department is relieved there has not been an increase in hospitalizations due to serious illness or deaths in our county. However, every new case increases time lost, the demand for PPE, and the chance someone vulnerable will be exposed. We do not want to see schools revert exclusively to remote learning or have additional restrictions, as in Region 4, imposed on businesses and events due to an increase in cases and positivity rate. To prevent this, we urge all residents and visitors to take simple protective actions.
Source: Whiteside County Health Department
Hand Sanitizer Recalls
With increase use of hand sanitizers in our daily lives and at school, families need to be aware of a potential life threatening issue arising with some hand sanitizers.
Be sure to check your hand sanitizer manufacturing place (do not buy if it came from Mexico or outside of the US) and you can not always count on the labeling of the type of alcohol in it as they have been falsely labeled by these manufacturers.
1) Some hand sanitizer brands contain methanol — also known as wood alcohol — which can be incredibly toxic when absorbed through the skin. Some of the health issues associated with methanol include seizures, permanent blindness, and vomiting. Tragically, there have even been a handful of reports involving children who have died after ingesting methanol-based hand sanitizers.
2) The list of hand sanitizers that contain "wood alcohol" has grown to include over 135 brands. Most, if not all, of the offending brands are manufactured in Mexico. This should make it relatively easy for consumers to spot offending brands on the shelves. Further, the FDA cautions that shoppers should only purchase a bottle of hand sanitizer if it contains at least 60% ethyl alcohol.
3) You can find the full list of the FDA banned sanitizer brands at this website: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-updates-hand-sanitizers-consumers-should-not-use?utm_campaign=FAQs%20071520&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua.
FYI: some of these are still on the shelves at local stores, so be vigilant and careful.
Source: Copyright 2020 BGR Media, LLC
Help Us Find Those Missing Books!
Tutoring & Babysitting Available
Hello, my name is Anna Jacobs. I am currently a senior at FHS and love spending time with children. I am simply looking for any way that I can help kids. I am interested in tutoring and babysitting at any age level at a low price. I will be available any evening after September 5th and am also available all day on Saturdays through Mondays. If you have any questions you can contact me through my school email annaj@riverbendschools.net.
Tutoring & Babysitting Available
My name is Liz Fish, I’m a senior at Fulton High School this year but I am taking all of my classes through Sauk Valley Community College. I am looking to tutor and if needed babysit your child during the days at which they wouldn’t be at school. My availability would be Tuesday and Thursday in the morning until 11:45 as well as Tuesday and Thursday in the afternoon after 2:15 p.m. I am also available Friday any time after 11:00 a.m. In order to contact me my email is fishelizabeth17@gmail.com.
COVID-19 Decision Tree for Symptomatic Individuals
Labor Day - No Student Activities
Monday, Sep 7, 2020, 07:30 AM
Fulton Elementary School, 7th Avenue, Fulton, IL, USA
Anchor Day
Tuesday, Sep 1, 2020, 07:45 AM
Fulton Elementary School, 7th Avenue, Fulton, IL, USA
Boat Day
Wednesday, Sep 2, 2020, 07:45 AM
Fulton Elementary School, 7th Avenue, Fulton, IL, USA
Anchor Day
Thursday, Sep 3, 2020, 07:45 AM
Fulton Elementary School, 7th Avenue, Fulton, IL, USA
Boat Day
Friday, Sep 4, 2020, 07:45 AM
Fulton Elementary School, 7th Avenue, Fulton, IL, USA
Fulton Elementary School
Email: jhoese@riverbendschools.net
Website: riverbendschools.org/fes
Location: 1301 7th Avenue, Fulton, IL, USA
Phone: (815)589-2911
Twitter: @FultonSteamers