The Bobcat Bulletin

Founders Memorial School News: September 20, 2024

From the Principal

Dear FMS Families,

We are settling into the routines of school and our students are doing an amazing job in our school community. This year, through our PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) system we are working on filling our schoolwide Bobcat Paw with pom-poms so we can enjoy at schoolwide celebration! We are getting really close, and students are excited to see how we might celebrate. Thank you to Mr. Hoppe for making this fun container to collect the evidence of our hard work. It even lights up!

Please read below for some important updates from Founders, including our upcoming Open House Date on 10/8/24. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Sincerely,

Sara Jablonski

FMS Principal

Note about Safety Drills

Over the course of the year, we practice different safety drills so we are as prepared as possible for emergencies. This month, we have provided students with an overview of all of our crisis commands, including Evacuate, Clear the Halls, Shelter in Place and Lockout. In addition, we will be explaining our Run and Hide safety protocol. Last week, we practiced an evacuation drill and our students did an amazing job of leaving the building quietly and taking care of one another. For more information about safety practices in EWSD, please visit the District Safety Website.

Class Celebrations

At FMS, it is our desire to promote a fun and engaging environment, while promoting an allergy-friendly, healthy lifestyle for all students and staff.

We have moved away from food-centered class celebrations for birthdays, holidays, or other reasons. There are many fun ways to celebrate special occasions and events. While there may be occasional exceptions, we are prioritizing ways to celebrate with each other that don’t center around food - and when it does, we strive to model healthy choices.

This is the safest way to keep students with life threatening allergies or food intolerance from an accidental exposure or ingestion. We also seek to find more healthy and active ways to celebrate the special days in our lives at school.

Thank you for your cooperation as we continue to build a healthy and safe school community for students and staff.

Caffeinated Beverages

FMS does not allow the consumption of caffeinated beverages by students during the school day. This includes soda, coffee-containing drinks, black and green tea, and energy drinks.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against the consumption of caffeine in children under the age of 12. Caffeine is shown to have negative health effects on development, learning, and sleep, along with short term side effects like heart palpitations, anxiety, nausea, dehydration, diarrhea, and restlessness.

Please do not send caffeinated beverages to school with your student.

Thank you.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), a virus spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, has been in the news recently. Although EEE has been reported in the state of Vermont, Essex has not been identified as an at-risk area. The vast majority of people bitten by a mosquito will have little or no symptoms, serious disease is extremely rare. The Vermont Department of Health has said the best way to reduce the risk of infection is to prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellent, limiting time outdoors at dawn and dusk, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants.

Families can use the EPA’s resources to find a bug spray that meets their needs. If concerned about EEE exposure, we would recommend applying bug spray at home prior to school. We will update families as needed if any new guidance is shared by the health department.

Covid-19 Resources

The EWSD follows guidance from the Vermont Department of Health on returning to normal activities following COVID-19. Although EWSD is not providing COVID-19 testing kits, there are resources available:

Free tests can be ordered from the federal government at the end of September 2024 at COVIDtests.org
The CDC No-Cost Testing Locator can find locations offering no-cost COVID-19 testing
Pharmacies and retail stores have COVID-19 tests available for purchase. Contact your health insurance company to learn if they will cover the cost of tests
Contact your healthcare provider for other COVID-19 testing options