Newsletter
December 2, 2022
December 2, 2022
DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTERS
DISTRICT NEWSLETTER
Blood Drive
A blood drive was held at Soledad High School on November 28. The event was supported by the Soledad Rotary Club. The drive collected a total of 17 pints of blood, just missing the goal by 6. This was a good number given that it was right after Thanksgiving and since there is a critical blood shortage. One pint of blood can save up to 3 lives. So our drive alone can help save up to 51 lives! Thanks to those SUSD team members who were donors.
Thanksgiving Food Distribution
On November 23, the Salvation Army with support from the Soledad Rotary Club and Soledad Unified School District, held a Thanksgiving Food Distribution Dive. Thank you to the Board Members who showed up to help distribute the meals to our needy families.
Holiday Parade
The Soledad Holiday Parade has been rescheduled due to the rain for Saturday, December 10 from 2-8p.m. The Main Street Band, the Soledad High School Band and the NJROTC are scheduled to participate. The parade will begin at 5PM on Front Street.
NJROTC Program
The Soledad High School NJROTC program received the Distinguished Unit Award with Honors recognition. This is a higher level of recognition than in previous years. This means that SHS will be able to nominate three students to the Air Force academy and three students to West Point. This is a 500% increase in available slots at these academies
Athletic Director Recognized
Soledad High School Athletic Director, Nicholas Twitchell has been selected as the recipient of the Norm Mackenzie Award for 2022-2023. The California State Athletic Directors Association and Mr. Twitchell’s peers have recognized his commitment to our school and community. Mr. Twitchell will receive public recognition for this great accomplishment at the California State Athletic Directors Association conference awards Banquet in Santa Clara on April 22, 2023.
Special Education Recognition
December 2nd is National Special Education Day. Beginning in 1971, a U.S. District Court case in the District of Columbia, Mills v. Board of Education, ruled it unlawful to deny exceptional children, including those with mental and learning disabilities, publicly funded educational opportunities. Court cases like this led to the 1975 Education for All Handicapped Children Act. President Gerald Ford signed the legislation into law on November 29th, 1975. The federal legislation required states that accept federal money to provide equal access to children with disabilities. In 1986, legislators added protections to support parents and educators in creating an education plan for children with disabilities. Then, in 1990, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and improved access for all children with developmental delay. Through the years, the act has been enhanced to improve services and standards throughout the educational system.
Celebrate Every Day: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-special-education-day-december-2/#:~:text=On%20December%202nd%2C%20National%20Special,first%20federal%20special%20education%20law.
HARTNELL COLLEGE TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES
MONTEREY COUNTY NEWS
From the Monterey County Office of Education
Below is a press release from CDPH’s Dr. Erica Pan providing guidance for parents regarding Winter viruses:
SACRAMENTO – As Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the flu and COVID-19 continue to impact Californians earlier than usual this year, state Epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan urges everyone across the state to protect themselves and their families against many circulating viruses.
“As we prepare for Thanksgiving and holiday gatherings, we need to continue being vigilant in preventing the rapid spread of winter viruses,” said Dr. Erica Pan. “As a pediatrician who specializes in infections, and a parent, it is concerning to see the rise in RSV and flu in babies, young children and our elderly population. It is crucial we are aware of prevention methods, but also, how to care for our loved ones at home, and what symptoms to be aware of for parents to seek care for their children.”
CARING FOR YOUR CHILD AT HOME:
There is no cure for respiratory viruses, but some medications can reduce disease severity in certain situations. For mild symptoms, Dr. Pan provides these tips to help ease discomfort:
- Reduce congestion with nasal saline with gentle suctioning. Patients should sit or lie upright when possible. Cool-mist humidification also helps to clear the congestion and make people feel better.
- Make sure your loved ones get plenty of rest and drinks clear fluids such as water, broth or sports drinks to prevent dehydration. For infants, use electrolyte beverages such as Pedialyte. Healthy snacks and small meals are also recommended.
- If your child has a fever (100 degrees or higher), acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be given to children 6 months of age and older. Infants and children should not be given aspirin as this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome. Only use other medications or medications for infants less than 6 months old under the guidance of your health care provider.
- Follow dosing instructions listed on the back of the medication or from your health care provider.
- Stay home at least 24 hours after there is no longer a fever or signs of a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine).
WHEN TO SEEK CARE:
Most childhood respiratory illnesses are mild and resolve on their own without the need for emergency care or hospitalization. Understanding when to see a doctor or go to the hospital ensures that children receive the right care. Call ahead to get medical advice and see what you can do at home and when it is best to come in to be examined. Seek evaluation right away if you child has:
- Symptoms of lung disease: fast breathing, flaring nostrils, head bobbing, grunting, or wheezing while breathing; belly breathing; pauses in breathing
- Symptoms of dehydration
- Gray or blue color to tongue, lips or skin
- Significantly decreased activity and alertness
- Symptoms that worsen or do not improve after 7 days
- Fever in those under 3 months of age (12 weeks)
- Fever above 104°F repeatedly for a child of any age
- Poor sleep or fussiness, chest pain, ear tugging or ear drainage
IS YOUR CHILD AT A HIGHER RISK FOR SEVERE DISEASE?
Early evaluation and treatment by a health care professional can ensure the best possible outcomes for children who are at a higher risk of severe disease. Children who are at higher risk of severe disease include:
- Younger children, particularly 6 months old or younger
- Premature or low-birth weight infants
- Children with chronic medical conditions, including chronic lung diseases, heart disease, disorders weakening the immune system, or neuromuscular disorders
TESTING FOR RSV:
Testing for RSV is not always necessary. Unlike COVID-19, testing for RSV generally does not change the way doctors manage individual patients with this illness and treatment is based on the symptoms a person is experiencing. Accordingly, individuals should seek care based on concerns for the symptoms listed above and not solely to obtain an RSV test result. Further, schools and childcare settings should not require a negative RSV test to return to these settings; in most situations, return should also be based on symptoms and generally children with respiratory symptoms should not return to childcare or school until symptoms are resolved or at least mild and improving. This includes waiting until 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
COVID Vaccine and Testing Opportunities
Below are links to the lists of COVID Vaccine and Testing Opportunities for the upcoming week. Please share broadly, and check out www.MontereyCountyVaccines.com for more information.
Free Telehealth & Plaxlovid: And if you know anyone with COVID that is unisured, under insured or has a high deductible (or limited access) please share a great resource from the State. The Test to Treat Program provides free telehealth services (in multiple languages) and free Plaxlovid if deemed appropriate by the telehealth doctor. Here's the link to make appointments: https://sesamecare.com/covid. (Paxlovid is an antiviral pill that reduces the risk of hospitalization and death from Covid-19 if taken within a few days of onset. It is also being found to reduce the risk of long Covid, according to a new study by researchers at the US Department of Veterans Affairs.)
Vaccine and Testing Links:
As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns.
Professional Development Opportunity
Below is information on a FREE Professional Development opportunity with Kidpower, an organization dedicated to building strong relationships and preventing harm:
Kidpower hosts live online programs tailored for educators, adult services providers, parents, and other caring adults who provide services, care, or mentorship for adults or teens with communication challenges. The next session will be on Wednesday, December 7th from 12 PM to 1 PM, or from 5 PM to 6 PM.
During the session, our team of trainers will share skills and strategies, both for use in person and online, around topics such as:
- Bullying prevention
- Abuse prevention
- Assault prevention
- Domestic violence prevention
- Building safe, strong relationships
- Boundary setting
- Advocacy
- Safety in public
- Managing emotional triggers