PANTHER PRESS
12/7/2018 Edition
12 Ways to Have a Healthy Holiday Season
-From the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Wash hands
Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product.
Bundle up for warmth
Cold temperatures can cause serious health problems, especially in infants and older adults. Stay dry, and dress warmly in several layers of loose-fitting, tightly woven clothing.
Manage stress
The holidays don’t need to take a toll on your health. Keep a check on over-commitment and over-spending. Balance work, home, and play. Get support from family and friends. Practice time management. Keep a relaxed and positive outlook.
Don't drink and drive
Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill someone every 31 minutes and non-fatally injure someone every two minutes. Don't drink and drive, and don't let someone else drink and drive.
Be smoke-free
Avoid smoking and breathing other people's smoke. If you smoke, quit today! Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or talk to your health care provider for help.
Fasten belts while driving
Wear a seatbelt every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle. Always buckle your child in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to his/her height, weight, and age.
Get exams and screenings
Schedule a visit with your healthcare provider for a yearly exam. Ask what tests you should get based on your age, lifestyle, medical history, and family health history.
Get your vaccinations
Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives. Ask your healthcare provider what vaccinations you should get based on your age, lifestyle, travel plans, and medical history.
Monitor the children
Children are at high risk for injuries that can lead to death or disability. Keep a watchful eye on your kids when they’re eating and playing. Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, choking hazards (like coins and hard candy), household items, and other objects out of kids' reach. Learn how to provide early treatment for children who are choking. Make sure toys are used properly.
Practice fire safety
Most residential fires occur during the winter months. Keep candles away from children, pets, walkways, trees, and curtains. Never leave fireplaces, stoves, or candles unattended. Don't use generators, grills, or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning devices inside your home or garage. Install a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in your home. Test them once a month, and replace batteries twice a year. Leave the fireworks to the professionals.
Prepare dinner safely
As you prepare holiday meals, keep you and your family safe from food-related illness. Wash hands and surfaces often. Avoid cross contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs (including their juices) away from ready-to-eat foods and eating surfaces. Cook foods to the proper temperature. Refrigerate promptly. Do not leave perishable foods out for more than two hours.
Eat well, and get moving
With balance and moderation, you can enjoy the holidays the healthy way. Choose fresh fruit as a festive and sweet substitute for candy. Select just one or two of your favorites from the host of tempting foods. Find fun ways to stay active, such as dancing to your favorite holiday music. Be active for at least 2½ hours a week. Help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day.
Elementary Library Update
Thanksgiving in Preschool
2nd Grade Winter Music Program
The final West Winter program is scheduled for next week! The students have been working very hard to prepare. Please save the following dates and come see what they have been preparing for you. Programs will take place in the Knoxville Performing Arts Center. Due to props being used this year, I am recommending that 2nd grade students wear something with pockets.
- Second Grade- Dec 11 @ 7:00 (Students should arrive after 6:30)
Thanks,
Sarah Rodilosso, West Music Teacher
2nd Grade Assemblies
The PBIS assembly for good behavior for the month of November. The Science Center of Iowa did an assembly about solids, liquids, and gases.
3rd Grade Caroling
Merry Christmas from North Star 3rd Grade! It’s beginning to look and sound a lot like Christmas at North Star. Third grade students will be going to Accura HealthCare on Wednesday, December 19, to go Christmas caroling. We’ve been practicing Christmas carols in music. We sound great and are really excited to share Christmas music with the residents of Accura HealthCare.
TAG Program
8th Grade Language Arts
8th grade language arts classes are currently doing a unit on characterization/point-of-view. This unit emphasizes the different ways a writer presents a character to the reader. We learn how the author describes a character physically while also showing the actions, thoughts/feelings, and, speech mannerisms of the character. We also look at how an author gives information on a character based on the interactions the character has with others in the story. We also look at the differences between 1st person, 3rd person, and 3rd person omniscient point-of-view. The major work we read during this unit is "Flowers for Algernon", a story about a man who under goes a surgery to increase his intelligence. This story leads to many discussions about intelligence. Students will learn about the different types of intelligences and talk about how the character of Charlie changes throughout the story. We discuss the impact his varying intelligence levels has on his psyche and how his relationship with others. Along with this, we will do short research assignments (such as researching someone who each student finds to be a genius) and creative writing assignments in connection with this story (such as an extended ending to the story). We also write a compare/contrast essay between “Flowers the Algernon” story and movie.
Panther Success Graduate
Notifications for School Delays & Cancellations
In order to receive notifications regarding weather cancellations and/or delays or changes to district activities, please subscribe to the GovDelivery service. Signing up is easy at: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/IAEDU3375/subscriber/new. Screenshots are pictured below of the subscription process.
Community Partner Contributions
Katelynn Collins, a sophomore at KHS, will be playing the part of Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. This production will be presented by Union Street Players in Pella. Katelynn auditioned for this part in August and the troop has been practicing to put on a great show. Come see Ariel, Prince Eric, Sebastian, and all their fishy friends in one of the eight performances from November 27- December 9th. Tickets may be purchased at the USP website at www.unionstreetplayers.com or by calling 641-204-1094.
KCSD ADMIN. OFFICE
The Panther Press is a weekly collective newsletter for parents & community members. If you have an article or flyer to share, please submit to Lisa.Willis@kcsd.k12.ia.us for consideration.
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Email: lisa.willis@kcsd.k12.ia.us
Website: www.knoxville.k12.ia.us
Location: 309 W Main St, Knoxville, IA, United States
Phone: 641-842-6551