A Note From Mr. Gahan
Hello Coralville Central Families and Friends!
We are nearing the end of our first trimester and conference information will be sent out to parents soon. Please look for it in the coming weeks.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
--
Andy Gahan
Principal, Coralville Central Elementary
Message on Masks and Vaccines (9/15/21)
To help slow the spread of COVID-19, the Iowa City Community School District requires universal mask use for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to our schools, regardless of vaccination status. This is based on guidance from the CDC. In addition, the President’s Executive Order on domestic transportation requires students and staff to wear a face-covering while on a school bus or while utilizing other District-provided transportation.
In addition, our District strongly encourages eligible individuals to get the COVID-19 vaccine. For individuals 12 years of age and older who have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine, this vaccine locator may be used to find a provider near you.
Upcoming Flu Clinic
The VNA will be giving vaccinations to the public from 3:00 - 6:00pm.
Shots offered - Flu Vaccine, Covid Vaccine (Pfizer - no boosters and only for children ages 12 and up), High Dose Flu and Pneumonia Vaccine.
Please bring your current medical insurance card with you - VNA will directly bill your insurance.
Flu Vaccine will be available at no charge to children enrolled in Medicaid or children who do not have insurance.
Please note: Medicaid for adults will not be accepted this year.
PICTURE RETAKE DAY will be Friday, November 12th
News from Ms. Becca
Has your child been coming home talking about Growth Mindset?
We have done so many wonderful activities and discussions this month about Growth Mindset and stretching our brains.
Here are a few options of activities you could try at home.
Remember, there is still time to sign up for the Winter Wear Distribution
Library News!
Top Six Things in the Library this week! - Devin Redmond
1. 5th and 6th graders reviewed how to put books on hold in the Destiny catalog.
2. 3rd and 4th graders continue to read I Survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 to prepare for the Zoom visit by Lauren Tarshis, which is happening this week! Hills Bank purchased each 3rd and 4th grader a copy of I Survived. They either received I Survived the Mount St. Helen's Eruption of 1980 or I Survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Thank you, Hills Bank! And thank you to the ICCSD Foundation for funding the author visit as well.
3. 1st and 2nd graders are learning about the Mexican-American author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh. His illustrations are influenced by Pre-Columbian art. The students were super engaged during the story The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes, a sad love story.
4. Kindergarteners continue to learn about library expectations.
5. I loved every single thing this article talked about. You can read or listen:
https://www.npr.org/2021/10/01/1041859001/reading-aloud-benefits-childrens-literacy
If you have ANY questions at all about the article, or need help of any kind, please let me know.
6. Ask your child if they’ve discussed their classroom goal in the Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader project.
Devin Redmond (she/hers)
Teacher Librarian
Coralville Central Elementary : ICCSD
Google Voice (text) : 319.435.8220
Instagram @cclibrary
Facebook @coralvillecentral
Twitter @devinred
Health & Safety Information
Head lice facts
Getting head lice is not a sign of poor hygiene, so don't be embarrassed if your child gets it. It is important to treat this situation as a matter of fact and not something for your child to be ashamed of. In addition, if proper notification of exposure is made, then everyone has the opportunity to monitor and treat. This will benefit you by decreasing the potential for re-infestation.
What you need to know about head lice:
· Head lice are tiny insects that feed on blood from the human scalp.
· Lice are a nuisance, not a public health concern as they do not spread disease.
· Lice do not jump or fly. They can only crawl from one place to another.
· A single bug is a louse, multiple bugs are called lice.
· A “nit” is an egg that is glued on the hair shaft close to the scalp where it can stay warm. Nits are more commonly found around the ears, temples, and along hair line in the back.
· A sure sign of a lice infestation is a child who is continuously itching their head. However, DON’T be fooled into thinking that if your child isn't itching that they must be lice-free. Some children seem to tolerate lice without noticeable itching, particularly early in an infestation. Also, itching can have other causes, such as an allergic reaction, dandruff, or simply dry scalp.
· While long hair is more tedious to deal with during an infestation, cutting the hair will not solve the problem as the eggs are laid at the base of the hair shaft.
How to PROPERLY SCREEN for head lice
Researchers performed a study on 300 children in an elementary school that showed visual inspection of dry hair caught only 29% of active infestations, versus a “wet combing” method that caught 91% of active cases. The wet combing method (which requires a “nit” comb can be found here: http://greatervancouverliceclinic.ca/wet-combing-instructions
Regardless of wet versus dry inspection:
· Make sure you use bright lights and/or a magnifying glass to examine the hair.
· Section off the hair and inspect closely for live bugs AND for teardrop shaped nits (eggs).
· Systematically work your way around the head.
· Check regularly. You don’t have to wait until you receive a classroom exposure letter. At a minimum, make it a weekly routine. Catching an infestation early make treatment easier and more likely to be successful.
REMEMBER!
Since live eggs hatch in 7-10 days, the key to success in getting rid of head lice, is to REPEAT whatever treatment you settle on and to monitor after treatment for several weeks. You can only break the cycle if you stop the newly hatched lice from laying new eggs.
Additional Resources
VIDEO of wet combing and articleà http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/09/to-get-rid-of-head-lice-comb-them-out-instead-of-using-nix-rid-or-other-chemicals/index.htm
American Academy of Pediatrics articleà
Iowa Department of Public Health pamphlet (choose “Facts About” which is the first option in the list)à http://www.idph.state.ia.us/search/search.aspx?q=head+lice&x=0&y=0
CDC guidelines for treatmentà http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
Identify US, Pest Identification and Guidance, formerly the Harvard School of Public Health’s website à https://identify.us.com/idmybug/head-lice/index.html
--Kelly Joseph, BSN, RN-BC
(she/her/hers)
ICCSD School Nurse
Coralville Central (319.688.1100) + Mann (319.688.1145)
Google Voice: 319.535.2261 - You may call or text me at this number.
Snacks & Celebrations
The ICCSD is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for our students. In line with that goal, changes are being made to the district’s Wellness Policy regarding classroom snacks birthday treats, and classroom celebrations.
NO FOOD BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
In line with the district’s Wellness Policy, student birthdays will be celebrated in the classrooms with a special acknowledgment. Each grade level team has determined a special recognition for students who wish to celebrate their birthdays at school. Please note these birthday celebrations will not involve food. If food is sent to school for birthdays the food items will be returned home.
SNACK & CELEBRATIONS :
When food is served to students in the classroom as a snack or during a classroom celebration, the following rules apply (ICCSD Wellness Policy 507.9):
- allow only fresh fruits/vegetables or purchased foods with the ingredients listed (no homemade foods).
- allow only foods that meet the Healthy Food Guidelines/ Smart Snacks. (the only exception to this would be food-tasting related to district-approved curriculum lessons)
- not allow foods with peanuts or peanut butter or foods that were made in a factory where cross-contamination may occur.
- food that does not meet the guidelines will be sent home.
- a list of acceptable foods (Healthy Food Guidelines/ Smart Snacks) will be made available to parents and teachers at the beginning of the school year.
The ICCSD Wellness Policy Classroom Snacks and Celebrations is a complete list of approved foods including where the approved food items can be purchased.
