Bobcat Innovation

One week left before Winter Break! Even though we are going to have lots of fun next week, we still need to have a focus on academics. Please have conversations with your kids regarding staying focused all the way through the end of the week.

We have one more week of our Winter Wonderland Spirit week. See flyer below for the spirit days! Check out the pictures below from this week!

Don't forget, our 2024 Bobcat Innovation Winter Sing-Along is Wednesday Dec. 18th in the Perry Center Gym from 6:00-7:00 pm. Each of our Elementary classes will be singing 2 songs. Our advanced band will also be performing. The Upper School song has been cancelled so they will not be performing. I am looking forward to a HUGE turnout for this event! Hopefully we see everybody there. If you would like to donate to the refreshment table please visit this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050548ABAA2BABFA7-53857523-holiday#/

It's never too early to start thinking about high school exams! The schedule for our Virtual High School students is listed below. Don't forget, all exams must be taken in person.

Now that snow is on the ground, please make sure to send students with boots, gloves, snow pants, and of course coats.

The Winter 2 Athletic Season is right around the corner and will be starting when we come back from Winter Break. If you are interested in competing in Boys Basketball (7th and 8th grade boys), Swim (all 7th-8th grade students), Competitive Cheer (7th and 8th grade girls), or Poms (all 7th and 8th grade students), make sure to get your physical and signed athletic handbook in before leaving for break. For more information regarding Basketball, Competitive Cheer, and Poms, visit West Middle School's Athletic website. For more information regarding Swim, visit East Middle School's athletic website.

An easy way to earn money for our school is Kroger Community Awards. All you have to do is create a digital account by scanning the QR code below or clicking this link, and choose Bobcat Innovation (#NG214). Every time you shop at Kroger Bobcat Innovation will automatically get a percentage of your spending when you use your card! See below for more details. Thank you PTO for all you do!!

Warm regards,

Zach Hamilton, Director of Innovative Programs (Daily oversight of Bobcat Innovation In-Person and Hybrid)

(810) 591-6077

zhamilton@gbcs.org

Kevin Keilitz, Asst. Director of Innovative Programs (Daily oversight of Bobcat Innovation Virtual)

(810) 591-6375

kkeilitz@gbcs.org

December

* Wednesday-Dec. 18th - Holiday Sing-along - Perry Gym - 6:00-7:00 pm

* Wednesday-Dec. 18th - 4th Grade Market Day - Bobcat Innovation In-Person students only

* Monday Dec. 23rd-Friday January 3rd - Winter Break - No School for Students and Staff

The Winter 2 Athletic Season is right around the corner and will be starting when we come back from Winter Break. If you are interested in competing in Boys Basketball, Swim, Competitive Cheer, or Poms, make sure to get your physical and signed athletic handbook in before leaving for break.

For more information regarding Basketball, Competitive Cheer, and Poms, visit West Middle School's Athletic website. For more information regarding Swim, visit East Middle School's athletic website.

Bobcat Innovation Athletics Website: https://bobcatinnovation.gbcs.org/for-students/pic-athletics

BVL Seniors: The 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is coming by Dec. 1, 2024. Submitting the FAFSA is the first step to getting federal grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities and student loans.

https://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/students-families/fafsa-resources

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

Email: zhamilton@gbcs.org
Website: https://bobcatinnovation.gbcs.org/
Location: 11920 South Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc, MI, USA
Phone: (810) 591-6078
Facebook: Visit us on Facebook at: Bobcat Innovation