Checklist to Determine School Safety
An epidemiologist and mother to school-age children offers up these suggestions when deciding where to send your kids to school in the age of COVID-19. Here's what you should look for at a school or daycare facility before sending your children there:
- A plan to protect the most vulnerable students and staff. That means making sure that anyone with underlying health conditions are provided with opportunities to participate remotely.
- Daily symptom checks. Temperature checks are not always accurate. A daily symptom check for everyone entering the campus is a good idea.
- Strict sick policies. For example, all students and staff should be fever and symptom-free before entering campus. If a member of the household is COVID-19 positive, the person must quarantine until they have met the CDC's criteria to return to school.
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Mandatory mask wearing. All students and teachers "who are physically able" should wear a mask throughout the day. Physical distancing at all times. These protocols should be in place both indoors — with spaced-out desks — and outdoors during breaks and physical education. Eliminate the need to share materials or supplies. If necessary, disinfect often.
- Major reduction in group gatherings. She said the school should suspend assemblies, choirs, and the spectator aspect of sports competitions, as well as cease the operation of densely populated eating areas. This includes potentially reducing class sizes by offering split-shift schedules.
- Instituting "pod" or "cohort-style" small groups. Consider keeping small groups of students together — with masks and physical distance — throughout the day to avoid larger mixing of students and staff.
- Addition of outdoor classes. A school that makes use of their outdoor space, weather and curriculum permitting is good.
- A plan for contact tracing and follow-up testing, should an outbreak occur. Classrooms will need to be disinfected and schools should be prepared to temporarily shut down. If that happens, there should be remote learning contingency plans to limit academic disruptions as much as possible.
- A paid sick-leave policy for all school staff. This is a good indicator that the school truly value their staff's safety and the safety of its student population.
A facility that meets all of the above guidelines are good indications that your child will return home virus-free at the end of the school day. Praying for a healthy learning experience for all the school children around the world this year.
Please email me your vote by 9/22/20, if you would like to participate. The results will be tallied and reported in the next newsletter.
CINDY THIENEMAN SEPTEMBER 2ND
BARBBRA SHANKLIN SEPTEMBER 7TH
CONNIE DEARING SEPTEMBER 17TH
MARY WHITLOCK SEPTEMBER 17TH
SONYA HARWARD SEPTEMBER 29TH
Strawberry Broccoli Summer Salad
Ingredients:
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4 cups of fresh broccoli florets, cut into small pieces
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1/4 cup raisins
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1/4 cup peanuts
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1/4 cup peeled and grated carrot
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1/4 cup chopped red onion
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1 cup fresh sliced strawberries
Dressing:
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3/4 cup mayonnaise
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2 tablespoons white vinegar
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1/4 cup sugar
Combine broccoli, raisins, peanuts, carrots, onion and strawberries in a serving bowl.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar until sugar dissolves. Place in refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes. Just before serving, pour about half of the dressing over salad; toss. Taste and add more if needed.
Thank you, Sophia for sharing this simple, healthy and scrumptious salad recipe. I made it recently and loved it. The salad has elements of sweet, crunchy and savory flavors that all blend together in perfect harmony. Yum!
NATIONAL WILDLIFE DAY SEPTEMBER 4TH
READ A BOOK DAY SEPTEMBER 6TH
LABOR DAY SEPTEMBER 7TH
GRANDPARENTS DAY SEPTEMBER 13TH
 These little cutie's are Alton and Lola McQuillen, Liz's babies. Lola just turned 1 year old recently and her big brother, Alton is 2 1/2 years old. Alton likes to remind everyone that he will be 3 years old in December.
Alton loves the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, his superhero costume and making his baby sister laugh. Lola loves climbing, smiling, eating everything and playing with her brother.
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 Lola is pictured above at her very 1st birthday party in early August 2020. Isn't she just a little doll baby with that infectious smile? Thanks to Liz for submitting these pictures to brighten up our newsletter with her children's sweet faces.
KYLE ETHRIDGE SEPTEMBER 6TH
LIZ MCQUILLEN SEPTEMBER 18TH
JEFF NOBLE SEPTEMBER 23RD
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Rhythm is the longest English word without a vowel.
There are only four words in the English language which end in "-dous".
The four words are tremendous, horrendous, stupendous and hazardous.
Dreamt is the only English word that ends in the letters MT.
Backpfeifengesicht is German for "a face that needs punching."
The oldest word in the English language is TOWN.
It is illegal to use a public toilet and not flush it in Singapore. If caught, you can face up to a $150 fine. (good idea!)
The Vermont Novelty Toaster Corp. sells a "selfie toaster" that will print your photo onto a piece of toast. You upload a photo with your order and you will receive a toaster that can print it.
SWIMS will be SWIMS even when turned upside down.
There is a subway ticket machine in Moscow that accepts 30 squats as its payment. (pictured below)
I pray for peace in the streets of every city in our country. Peace for all the countries marching in solidarity for the equality of all people. I pray for justice for all those who have lost their lives needlessly and unjustly. I pray that all people, regardless of race, religion or socioeconomic status be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. I pray for change so that healing can begin in this country and around the world.
Amen.
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