The Brendel Bulletin

Hi Brendel Families,

I hope you had a nice week. I can't believe we are already to Thanksgiving. This newsletter will be the last one for November. We will not have a newsletter due to only 2 days in school. Last night our 4th grade students performed in front of friends and family and did an amazing job! I was so proud of them.

I hope you enjoy your weekend and just a reminder we only have school Monday & Tuesday because of Thanksgiving break.

Thanks,

Mr. Engleman

Reminders:

Birthday Treats: The district has a healthy snack policy (linked below). We are no longer allowing sweet treats including cake and cupcakes. Please check with the office or your child's teacher before purchasing a birthday treat for your child.

Building Student Expectations: This year Brendel has created common student expectations along with consequences. Please see this link with more information.

• Brendel Elementary Student Expectations

Have a great weekend!

-Mr. Engleman

Students will be able to preview items available for purchase on Tuesday, November 26th. Shopping will take place the week of December 2nd - 6th. Information was sent home last week. Please make sure to send your student with his/her shopping list and money if they plan to shop. Online vouchers can also be purchased - information to purchase a voucher is included on the packet that came home with students.

We still need help to run the shop! If you are interested in volunteering, please do so on the link below. Remember - all volunteer hours are logged and converted to a discount towards your student's 5th grade Mackinaw trip.

• 11/25 - 5th Grade Camp 8:30a-7:30p
• 11/26 - Holiday Shop Preview
• 11/27 - 11/29 Thanksgiving Break
• 12/2 - 12/6 Holiday Shopping
• 12/9 - PTO Meeting 6:30
• 12/16 - 5th Grade Concert
• 12/23 - 1/3 Winter Break
• 1/6 - School Resumes

We have been experiencing an increase in respiratory illnesses in our school district. This is consistent with trends throughout the state and the country.

Both Pertussis (Whooping Cough) and Mycoplasma Pneumonia (Walking Pneumonia) have been on the rise so please be vigilant in monitoring for symptoms. Infection is spread by inhaling respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Pertussis

• Symptoms: sneezing, runny nose, mild dry cough, and low-grade fever
• After about 1 to 2 weeks, more serious “coughing spells” develop that can last for more than a minute and result in difficulty breathing.
• At the end of a coughing spell, the cough may make a high-pitched “whooping” sound as they try to catch their breath.
• Sometimes the coughing will cause vomiting. Between spells, usually feel well.
• Who is at Risk
• Pertussis can spread easily among susceptible household members and in group settings such as schools, workplaces, and sports teams.
• Adolescents and adults are also at risk for infection since vaccine protection decreases over time.
• The time between exposure to the bacteria and disease symptoms is usually between 7 - 10 days, but in rare cases, it can take up to 3 weeks.
• Treatment

• Pertussis can be treated or even prevented with antibiotics if detected early or before the disease has started.
• If you develop any of the symptoms described above, stay home from school and contact your doctor immediately. Please also inform the school office of any illness.

Walking Pneumonia:

• Symptoms: can include cough, fever, sore throat, headache, and sometimes wheezing
• Often people don’t feel sick enough to stay home or in bed, thus the term “walking pneumonia”
• Who is at Risk
• Infection can occur at any age, but most often among children ages 5-17 years and young adults
• Treatment
• Some people get better on their own with a mild mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, but some with more severe infection will need an antibiotic

For general respiratory illness, it is recommended you stay home if you have a fever and you can return 24 hours after fever free and symptoms are improving. However, if you are diagnosed with Pertussis you must stay home from school until your 5 day antibiotic treatment is complete.

Strategies that prevent respiratory viruses, such as handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes, prevent these bacteria from spreading.

Mrs. O’Mara & Mrs. Fredrick

GBCS District Nurse Consultants

Medication at School

Our goal is your child’s safety and your help is needed to achieve this goal! Students are not to carry medication without orders per district policy.

All medication authorizations must be renewed at the beginning of each school year. The order is good for one school year unless shorter time frame ordered by physician. Authorization forms must be completed for both prescription and non-prescription medications.

• Each medication needs its own authorization
• Refill of the medication is the responsibility of the parent/guardian
• Expired medication will not be administered
• Action plans for health conditions such as Diabetes, Seizures, and Allergies must be completed every school year
• Unused medication will be discarded unless picked up by the parent/guardian on or before the last day of school
• FOOD ALLERGIES: Dietary restriction form is available on the Food Services department webpage, foods can be substituted with a form on file, including gluten free options!

Additional information and forms can be found on the Grand Blanc Community Schools web-site, Health Resources.

Thank you,

Earn cash for our school by using the Box Tops app. It’s an easy way to make a difference. All you have to do is buy Box Tops participating products (like Cheerios!) and scan your grocery receipt. Box Tops are worth $.10 each and they add up fast! Twice a year, our school receives a check to help pay for whatever we need - equipment, supplies or experiences the kids love! Our goal is to earn $600 this school year - which will pay for one assembly!

Use this referral code HX8Z8Z5F when you sign up and you’ll get 40 Bonus Box Tops when you scan your first receipt now through 09/07/2023, while supplies last! Download the Box Tops for Education app here: https://btfe.smart.link/c2jjdifkw?referral_code=HX8Z8Z5F

Breakfast: 8:20 am

Doors open: 8:35 am

If you arrive after 8:40 please walk your child into the school to sign them in

Half Day: 8:40 - 12:17 pm

Email: denglema@gbcs.org
Website: https://www.gbcs.org/Domain/9
Location: 223 Bush Street, Grand Blanc, MI, USA
Phone: 810-591-6137
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brendel-Elementary-102891985224339