The Main Things
An MSD Communication that Cuts out the Clutter!
November 18th 2022
Main Thing 1: We’re Grateful for You!
Greetings, Medford School District Families!
It is the season of gratitude and we want to take this opportunity to thank you, our families. We couldn’t do what we do without your trust. We don’t take that lightly!
We wish you an amazing week off and Happy Thanksgiving.
We hope to see you at conferences!
Gratefully,
Bret Champion
Superintendent
Main Thing 2: Cold and Flu Season Has Arrived
Cold and Flu season has arrived and our community is seeing an influx in cases of RSV, Influenza and Hand, Foot, Mouth. We want to remind you what to do if your student is sick.
We ask that you keep your student home if they have a fever over 100.4, are coughing or are experiencing vomiting/diarrhea. Use the table below to determine when it is safe to send your student back to school after an illness.
For a full chart of symptoms and when your student may return to school, see these Exclusion Guidelines.
You will also want to monitor your student for Covid. If your student has two of the primary symptoms of Covid (fever, cough, loss of taste or smell, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath), you will need to follow the symptom-based return times above. Your student will also need either a negative Covid test OR a 5-day isolation period.
As always, the best way to help prevent the spread of illness is covering your cough, washing hands and receiving an annual flu vaccination.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Jackson County Health Department Communicable Disease Control Program at 541-774-8200.
Main Thing Tip: How to Get the Most Out of Conferences
Next week, you will have the opportunity to meet with your student’s teacher. This is a great opportunity to find out how your student is doing in class and to share something new about your student with their teacher.
For this week’s Main Thing Tip, Jennie Snow, Principal of Howard Elementary School is sharing how to get the most out of conferences.
She shares it is great to bring your child to the conference, unless asked not to.
She shares this list of questions you might consider asking your student’s teacher:
What are my student’s greatest strengths in math, reading or another subject?
Where is an area my student could use more support?
Does my child ask for help in class?
Do they raise their hand and share during discussions?
If the teacher shares your student’s specific area of need, ask how you can help at home.
ABLE Leadership Nominees
Doug Buttorff
Doug Buttorf, a teacher at South Medford High School, was nominated as an ABLE leader by multiple people! He was recognized for Building Collaborative Relationships and Ensuring Quality Student Learning.
“Doug leads with grace and alienates nobody as he moves the team forward. He is a true collaborative leader, taking everyone into account and leading while maintaining relationships.”
Zack James
Zack was nominated for being an excellent leader at Jackson Elementary.
“He's created a way for staff to keep specific behavior data on students, and an easy way to send home positive communication. He has done this for multiple grade levels, and is always willing to help!”
Nancy Bloom
Nancy is a kindergarten teacher at Howard. She was nominated for acting with courageous leadership.
“Nancy acts with courageous leadership as she holds monthly kindergarten parent meetings to help families support their students.
She holds students at the center by doing what is needed to support ALL.”
SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT - Pre-Education Pathways Program
This week, 60 South Medford High School “Cadets” taught their first lesson at Griffin Creek and Oak Grove Elementary. These students are taking part in the Pre-Education Pathway program to earn college credits and get a leg up on a career in education.
The students read to classrooms and discussed books like ‘Where the Wild Things Are.’ South High School students led music classes, helping the elementary students create maracas.
What a great opportunity for our oldest and youngest learners!