February Newsletter
Elton Gregory Middle School
Elton Gregory is an AVID Showcase School
EGMS has been selected as the first school in Central Oregon to be an AVID Showcase school. This is a recognition of the hardwork and dedication to student learning by Elton Gregory staff.
Box Top Collection Competition
We appreciate your support with clipping Box Tops. We plan to use the money raised to support our Husky Pride activities.
Confirmed Measles Exposure in Central Oregon
On Wednesday afternoon of this week, the Oregon Health Authority confirmed that a measles exposure occurred in Deschutes County on Saturday, Jan. 19 and Sunday, Jan. 20., 2019
There are currently no known exposures in any of our schools.
According to Clark County, the individual reported that they visited the following public locations in Deschutes County while contagious:
Mountain Air, 20495 Murray Rd, Suite 150, Bend, Saturday, Jan. 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Juniper Swim and Fitness Center, 800 NE 6th St, Bend, Sunday, Jan. 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Public health officials are actively contacting persons who may have been exposed to the visitor to our area who was contagious with measles. This case is connected to a broader outbreak that began in Clark County earlier this month.
Most Oregonians have been vaccinated against measles and are protected. Anyone who has never been vaccinated is at much higher risk of getting measles if they come into contact with someone who is contagious. The best prevention of measles is the measles vaccine. For information about immunizations and the immunization status of your school, visit www.deschutes.org/immunizations.
Anyone who has questions about public exposures should dial 2-1-1. The call center hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including weekends.
If you were at one of the two locations during this time period and are not fully vaccinated for measles, please contact Deschutes County Health Services at (541) 322-7418. This line is staffed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Please take a moment to review the Measles Information Sheet from our public health partners and read the full press release shared today from Deschutes County.
English Measles Information Sheet link: https://bit.ly/2Ut5vrO
Spanish Measles Information Sheet link: https://bit.ly/2MGYnFv
Press release link: https://bit.ly/2WxVE5B
We have been, and will continue to be, in close contact with our partners at Deschutes County and the Oregon Health Authority.
This measles exposure in Deschutes County may raise questions about how local county public health officials in Oregon would handle a measles diagnosis in a student or staff of a school.
Measles is highly contagious. Again, there are currently no known exposures in any of our schools. Consequently, a single case in a school could prompt a detailed review of staff and student vaccination records to determine the risk of further spread.
We will continue to share new information with you as it becomes available.
Sincerely,
Rainier Butler, Public Information Officer
Transition to High School
Pay Attention to Attendance: Keep Your Child on Track in Middle School for High School Success
- Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged, successful and on track to graduation.
- Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully or facing some other potentially serious difficulty.
- By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
- By 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.
- Missing 10 percent, or about 18 days, of the school year can drastically affect a student’s academic success.
- Students can be chronically absent even if they only miss a day or two every few weeks.
- Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child graduate from college and keep a job.
How families can support their learners
Make school attendance a priority
- Talk about the importance of showing up to school everyday, make that the expectation.
- Help your child maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.
- Try not to schedule dental and medical appointments during the school day.
- Don’t let your child stay home unless truly sick. Complaints of headaches or stomach aches may be signs of anxiety.
Help your teen stay engaged
- Find out if your child feels engaged by his classes and feels safe from bullies and other threats. Make sure he/she is not missing class because of behavioral issues and school discipline policies. If any of these are problems, work with your school.
- Stay on top of academic progress and seek help from teachers or tutors if necessary. Make sure teachers know how to contact you.
- Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.
- Encourage meaningful afterschool activities, including sports and clubs.
Communicate with the school
- Know the school’s attendance policy – incentives and penalties
- Talk to teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school.
- Check on your child’s attendance to be sure absences are not piling up.
- Ask for help from school officials, afterschool programs, other parents or community agencies if you’re having trouble getting your child to school.
Upcoming Dates
February 5 Wrestling @ OMS 4pm - No Return Bus
February 6 Girls Basketball @ JCMS 3:30pm
February 7 Eighth Grade Transition Trip to RHS 11:45-1:45pm
February 7 Pizza BINGO Night @ EGMS Cafeteria 6:30-7:30pm
February 7 Girls Basketball @ Home vs. WSK8 3:30pm (A team only)
February 8-9 Wrestling - Central Oregon Classic @ Lapine High School
February 11 Girls Basketball “B” team @ Culver 3:30pm
February 12 Wrestling @ EGMS 4pm
February 13 Girls Basketball @ Crook County 3:30pm
February 13 OHP Sign Up @ EGMS Library 5:30-8pm
February 14 Girls Basketball @ OMS 3:30pm
February 15 Box Top Drawing for Dutch Bros Gift Card
February 18 No School President's Day Holiday
February 20 Girls Basketball @ Sisters 3:30pm (A team only)
February 20 Wrestling @ Home 4pm
February 21 AVID Showcase
February 28 Dental Sealants Clinic
Helpful Links
Contact Us:
Email: gena.bennett@redmondschools.org
Website: egms.redmond.k12.or.us
Location: 1220 Northwest Upas Avenue, Redmond, OR, USA
Phone: (541) 526-6440