Madison Elementary
December 2020 Newsletter
NO SCHOOL
Winter Break will take place Thursday, December 24th
through Friday, January 1st.
Classes will resume on Monday, January 4th.
Attendance
If you know your child will be tardy or absent, please call our attendance phone number at 446-5119 before 8:40am. Thank you.
2020-2021 Snow Day Procedures
After careful consideration, Fargo Public Schools (FPS) will do the following if our weather prevents us from having school:
· School will be cancelled for the first one to two snow days that fall Monday-Thursday. If there is a snow day on a preplanned Friday distance learning day, distance learning will occur. If one to two snow days occur, we will make up the days on either April 30 and/or May 17.
· Any additional snow days after two days will either be a distance learning day at home or will be cancelled and the makeup requirement waived.
For more information about the 2020-2021 snow day procedure, visit the FPS school website https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/schoolcancellation.
Dr. Ghandi also put together this #FPSLearns video to supplement this communication https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFdEsPVI5L
Winter Dress Code and School Policy
Madison School places high expectations on appropriate student dress for winter weather. The district’s policy states that students will go outside for recess up to 15 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. All students should have proper clothing to go outside: winter jackets, boots, gloves/mittens and hat. In order to be safe, we expect all students to be prepared for the cold weather every school day.
Fargo Public Schools 2019-20 Annual Report
As evidence of Fargo Public Schools’ commitment to our patrons, the FPS 2019-20 Annual Report is now available. It showcases the qualities and services of our school district and provides a wide array of information to familiarize families and the community with Fargo Public Schools. Report details include enrollment, staffing, and budget numbers. It also gives overviews of student services and student assessment data. Thank you for your continued support as we serve the citizens of Fargo by providing students an excellent educational experience. You can access the full document at https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/Page/235
Head Lice
Never a topic we want to discuss, but something we need to be informed about.
The Fargo Public Schools policy regarding head lice (AP 4780) states: Exclude from school until treated and determined to be non-communicable (no nits). Children should be treated for head lice as soon as possible. Close contacts should be discouraged. Note: Cass Public Health philosophy differs from that of Fargo Public Schools.
If there have been head lice in your child’s classroom you will not be notified. Students and parents often share this information with one another but according to policy, we cannot share this from the office. Please do your part to check your child at home.
What are head lice?
Head lice are small insects (less than 1/8 inch long). They range in color from red to brown, black, yellow-tan or grey-white. Head lice live on blood they draw from the scalp and lay tiny grey/white eggs, known as nits, on a hair shaft near the scalp. The warmth from the scalp is needed for the eggs to hatch. Head lice are not known to spread disease.
Who is at risk for head lice?
Head lice infestations occur in all socioeconomic groups, are not an indication of poor hygiene and can affect anyone.
What are the symptoms of head lice?
Most people who have head lice do not have symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, the most common signs include itching of the skin on the scalp or neck where lice feed. Nits are glued to hair, commonly behind ears and at or near the nape of the neck. Scratching, especially behind and around ears and at the nape of the neck, may lead to open sores and a bacterial infection that also may cause swollen lymph nodes.
How soon do symptoms appear?
Symptoms appear when a live louse is present.
How are head lice spread?
Head lice are most commonly spread by direct contact with hair. Additionally, infested people can also spread head lice by sharing combs, brushes, hats, blankets or sheets with others, but this is not very common. It can be spread only by live lice and not nits.
When and for how long is a person able to spread head lice?
Head lice will spread until they are treated with a chemical that kills lice and until the eggs have been killed or removed. Research has shown that removal of nits may not be necessary.
How is a person diagnosed?
Diagnosing head lice is done by identifying the presence of live lice or nits within ¼ inch of the scalp. Identification of eggs and lice with the naked eye is possible; however, the use of a hand lens or microscope may help to confirm the identification.
What is the treatment?
Over-the-counter treatments and prescriptions that kill lice and most viable eggs are available. Follow the directions on the label. Re-treat nine days after initial treatment if not otherwise specified on the product label. Contact your health-care provider or local public health unit for more information.
Does past infection make a person immune?
No. A person who previously had head lice may get it again.
Should children or others be excluded from child care, school, work or other activities if they have had lice?
No. Young children with head lice do not need to be excluded from child care and school, but they should be treated as soon as possible after diagnosis. However, try to minimize any activity that involves the child in head to head contact with other children or sharing of any headgear until after the child has been completely treated.
Additionally, older children and adults do not have to be excluded from child care, work, school or other activities but should be treated as soon as possible after diagnosis. Just like younger children, older children and adults should minimize any activity that involves head to head contact with other people or sharing of any headgear until after treatment has been completed.
It is the policy of Fargo Public Schools NOT to send letters home with students if they have been exposed to head lice.
What can be done to prevent the spread of head lice?
Follow these steps to prevent the spread of head lice:
· Avoid sharing headgear, coats, hats, hair ornaments, helmets, headphones, combs, brushes, towels and bedding.
· Combs and brushes should be washed in hot water (130 degrees) for 10 minutes.
· Items that cannot be washed should be bagged and stored for two weeks.
· Provide separate storage areas for clothing so that the personal articles of one person do not touch the personal articles of another.
· When an infestation is found, check the hair and scalp of all household members and treat only those who have lice and those who share the same bed with the infested person.
Additional Information
For additional information about head lice, head lice removal, school exclusions, etc. contact:
North Dakota Department of Health
Division of Family Health
1-800-472-2286
Madison Elementary
Email: olsonb4@fargo.k12.nd.us
Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us/Madison
Location: Madison Elementary School, 29th Street North, Fargo, ND, USA
Phone: 701-446-5100