Big Lake Elementary Newsletter
January 14, 2021
HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING AT BLE
NO SCHOOL MONDAY, 1-18-21
MASK POLICY-PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR MASK
THANK YOU!!
LIBRARY PAGES
All grades have been having fun learning in our Snow and Ice unit! We have been learning about hibernation, migration, snow, and ice! Ask your kiddo how big the world's biggest snowball was!
Battle of the Books competition is on February 6th! At this time we don't know if it's going to be in person or virtual but these kiddos have been reading for months. Congratulations to our 7 kiddos who made the team!
WEST LAKES FIRE DEPT FLYER
The West Lakes Community Connect program gives residents the opportunity to tell us (West Lakes Fire Department) what they think we might need to know about their home and needs prior to WLFD being dispatched.
For instance, if a household member has any medical needs or conditions, the presence of a locked gate, utility cut offs, etc., then they can provide us with this information. WLFD can then access the information on their Mobile Data Terminals as they respond to the residents location.
NURSE RX
HEALTH SCREENINGS
ALASKA 2-1-1
Every hour of every day, an Alaskan needs essential services - from finding food and shelter to securing adequate care for a child or an aging parent. Faced with multiple directories and an array of social service agencies, people often don't know where to turn or how to get started. In many cases, they end up going without these necessary services.
Alaska 2-1-1 is a free, confidential, and multilingual health and human services information and referral system operated by United Way of Anchorage on behalf of all United Ways in Alaska.
Alaska 2-1-1 ensures that the health and human services system works for Alaskans by connecting people with the right services instead of the frustrating and time-wasting hit-or-miss connections made by people calling multiple agencies on their own behalf trying to find the right office or program or person. Health and human services are only valuable when they get to the right people with the right level of efficacy and efficiency. Alaska 2-1-1 supports all health and social service providers' plans to be adaptive, flexible and responsive to the needs of Alaskans.
Contact Alaska 2-1-1
2-1-1 (1-800-478-2221)
8:30am - 5:00pm
Monday - Friday
www.alaska211.org
With Alaska 2-1-1, callers can receive referrals for:
- Basic Needs: Food, Clothing, Shelter, Temporary Financial Assistance, Transportation, Disaster
- Health Resources: Crisis Intervention, Prenatal Care, Support Groups, Counseling, Drug & Alcohol Intervention, Rehabilitation, Children’s Health Insurance
- Financial Stability: Job Referrals, Income Tax Credits, WIC, Credit Counseling, Food Stamps, Rent & Utility Assistance, Unemployment Benefits, Job & Education Programs
- Elder & Disability Support: Home Care, Adult Day Care, Congregate Meals, Meals on Wheels, Respite Care, Transportation, Homemaker Services
- Family Support: Childcare, After-School Programs, Family Resources, Summer Camps, Recreation Programs, Mentoring, Tutoring, Protective Services
- Community Crisis/Disaster Recovery: 2-1-1 Systems in Other States Have Proven Valuable in Disaster Relief Efforts.
Alaska 2-1-1 utilizes Language Line to communicate with limited-English speaking callers in a variety of languages, including: Russian, Korean, Tagalog, Yupik & Hmong.
POSITIVE COVID TEST INFO
Do I have to quarantine if I tested positive for COVID-19?
People who have tested positive for COVID-19 do not need to quarantine or get tested again for up to 3 months if they do not develop symptoms again.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html
What do you do if test positive over Christmas break?
If someone in the household test positive for COVID-19 over Christmas break please call the school 907-892-9700 and leave a message with your name, phone number, and brief message. We will return your call.
FAQ TRAVEL MANDATE
Question: When can I return to school after traveling out of state if I get tested at the airport?
Answer: If you get a negative test before you leave the airport, you will quarantine for five days. Day 1 is the day after you get back. If a person arrives in Alaska on Thursday, November 26th at 7 am, then Day 1 of quarantine is the next day, Friday November 27th. You would then return to school on Day 6. So the return date for school and other activities would be Wednesday December 2.
Question: When can I return to school after traveling out of state if I do NOT get tested at the airport?
Answer: Per the travel guidelines “At least 14 calendar days have passed since their return to Alaska.” Day 1 is the day after you get back. Then your students return to school will be on the 15th day. Please reference the picture for clarification and call the school nurse at 907-892-9705 with any questions or concerns.
FAQ for POTENTIAL CLOSE CONTACTS
- Q- If I am identified as a potential close contact does that mean I am also a close contact?
Answer- No! If you are a potential close contact is does not mean that you are automatically a close contact.
- Q- If I am a potential close contact can I go to school?
Answer- No! Stay home until you receive more information from the school or pubic health.
- Q- If my child is a potential close contact can the siblings go to school?
Answer- YES! The child identified as the potential close contact must stay home but siblings can come to school.
- Q- If I am a potential close contact should I get tested?
Answer- Not necessarily. Get a Covid test if you have Covid symptoms or between 7-14 of quarantine if you are a close contact.
- Q- If I am waiting for Covid-19 test results can I come to school?
Answer- No! Do not come to school until you get the test results.
Please contact the Big Lake Nurse if you have any other questions or concerns at 892-9705
FAQ for COVID-19 VACCINES for BIG LAKE
Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines for Big Lake
1. Can a COVID-19 vaccine make me sick with COVID-19?
No. None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines or COVID-19 vaccines currently in development in the United States contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19.
2. After getting a COVID-19 vaccine, will I test positive for COVID-19 on a viral test?
No. Neither the recently authorized and recommended vaccines nor the other COVID-19 vaccines currently in clinical trials in the United States can cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection.
3. If I have already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes. Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible, vaccine should be offered to you regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 infection. CDC is providing recommendations to federal, state, and local governments about who should be vaccinated first.
4. Will a COVID-19 vaccination protect me from getting sick with COVID-19?
Yes. COVID-19 vaccination works by teaching your immune system how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19, and this protects you from getting sick with COVID-19.
5. Will a COVID-19 vaccine alter my DNA?
No. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way.
Messenger RNA vaccines—also called mRNA vaccines—are the first COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States. mRNA vaccines teach our cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response. The mRNA from a COVID-19 vaccine never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept. This means the mRNA cannot affect or interact with our DNA in any way. Instead, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines work with the body’s natural defenses to safely develop immunity to disease. Learn more about how COVID-19 mRNA vaccines work.
DISTRICT CALENDAR AND LUNCH MENU
JANUARY LUCNH MENU
DISTRICT CALENDAR
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
YMCA BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
We need a minimum of 10 students signed up in order to open. The hours are from 7AM - 9AM and from 3:45 to 7PM. Dinner is served to the after school participants. If you are interested in this program we have applications at the school office or visit their webpage.
FY20 YEARBOOKS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
ABOUT US
Leigh Magnan, Principal
Chris Sawyer, Admin. Secretary
Shari Mason, Office Secretary
Mandy Trelfa, Records Specialist
Rachel Lund, Nurse
Email: ble@matsuk12.us
Website: matsuk12.us/ble
Location: 3803 S .Big Lake Lake Road, Big Lake AK 99652
Phone: 907-892-9700