I always feel like it's time to put the roller skates on at this point in the year. The days are so full and they come so quickly. If you blink, you might miss something!

• DON'T FORGET - Pink Pennants are due this Monday, Oct. 18.

• "Encore Pink Out" is happening on Friday, Oct.22. It is scheduled on our annual "Do a Kind Deed Day" so we are partnering with the Easley PD and FD to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. Their pink police car and pink pick-up truck will be on our campus from 10-12 that day. Students will be able to take photos with the vehicles. Please see the info below about how you can support the cause with a donation.

• Spirit Week is just around the corner (Oct. 25-29), so make sure you're ready for each day! See the schedule below.

• Fall Conferences will be held on Nov. 1. Be on the lookout for the sign-up from your child's teacher.

Spirit Week Schedule

• Monday, Oct. 25 - Pajama Day (The most comfortable school day ever!)
• Tuesday, Oct. 26 - Around the World Day (This includes dressing in clothing that celebrates other cultures around the world!)
• Wednesday, Oct. 27 - Career Day (This includes dressing for the job you hope to have or to celebrate essential community workers.)
• Thursday, Oct. 28 - Dynamic Duos Day (This may include duos like Han Solo and Princess Leia, Peanut Butter and Jelly, or dressing as twins.)
• Friday, Oct. 29 - Character Day (This includes Primary Book Character Day and Lower Elementary Biography Day.)

Let's get ready to roll!

Happy Sunday,

Dr. Dana Hill

October 18 - Montessori Monday - wear Montessori attire

October 18 - Turn in Pink Pennants

October 19 - Primary fall portraits

October 22 - Do a Kind Deed Day

October 22 - Encore PINK OUT day - wear pink for Breast Cancer Awareness month

October 25-29 - Spirit Week - details above

October 26 - PSAT/NMSQT testing for 10th-11th grades

MSA Covid Testing Update:

MSA Covid Testing will resume on Monday, October 18 and be offered on Monday and Friday from 7:30-11. Covid-19 Saliva PCR testing is available for all MSA Employees and Lower el thru High School students.

If you have symptoms or a known exposure, a drive thru option is available. Upon arrival, call the MSA Main Office number (864-226-5344) and alert the attendant that you are outside. I will come to you as soon as possible.

Please have your QR code ready, remain masked while receiving your testing kit. If you are interested in testing and have not registered previously, please email me directly for registration instructions at schoolnurse@msasc.org. Additionally, a parent needs to be present and offer assistance in specimen collection for the younger age groups.

***Please note that occasionally, the testing dates may alter for a variety of reasons. Any change to the schedule will be announced prior to the testing date, if possible.

Masking

At this time, masking remains highly recommended for all ages 3 and above. Should you choose to have your student wear a mask while at school, we ask the following:

• Wear a Mask--mask should be worn (if 2 years or older) when in public and when around people who do not live in your same household. Encourage your child to wear masks correctly and safely.
• Masks should be clean, fit properly and cover your nose and mouth and be secure under your chin. Mask should be at least 3 layers and fit snugly against the sides of your face.
• Masks must be worn in the Health Room or while receiving healthcare services, such as Covid testing specimen registration and collection.

Please note that MSA monitors the current community spread and other metrics and we are poised to pivot if the Covid-19 surge increases and poses a risk to the overall health and safety of our MSA community.

***Flu vaccine

Flu season is quickly approaching. In order to prevent the spread of flu within our MSA community, we ask that you speak to your healthcare provider and discuss if you or your child are candidates for the flu vaccine. Amid Covid, many healthcare providers are offering drive thru flu clinics. Contact your provider for more information.

Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC recommend the flu vaccine. I am sharing the links below regarding the 2021-2022 flu vaccine. You should get a flu vaccine before the flu begins spreading in your community. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body, so make plans to get vaccinated early in fall, before flu season begins. CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October. Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout flu season, even into January or later.

For additional updates and information on Influenza and Covid-19, please refer to the links below:

Influenza: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm

Coronavirus: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/flu-vaccine-good.html#.W6wffM_ictU.email

Have a safe and healthy weekend.

With healthy regards,

Susanna Merriman, RN

School Nurse and Safety Coordinator