Tiger News

January 3rd-School in Session-return from winter break.

January 11th-End of 2nd Quarter/End of 1st Semester.

January 12th-No School-Teacher Workday.

January 15th-Begin of 2nd Semester.

Parents and guardians have the right to decide to keep their child home on any day they feel it is unsafe for their student to be in school because of weather conditions. If you believe the weather provides a sincere reason why you may have to keep your student at home, or take your student home when classes are scheduled to continue, you as a parent or guardian will simply need to contact our school office to let us know.

Mark your calendars! School will not be in session on Friday, January 12 due to a teacher workday.

The District has cell phone protocols in place to ensure an engaging and distraction-free environment for our students. The protocols restrict the use of electronic devices during the school day. For more information, please review the 2023-2024 Parent/Guardian & Student Handbook on the District website.

In the social world we live, many kids use some form of social media. While social media can help kids connect with friends and family, explore new interests and areas of the world, and enhance their creativity, it can also lead to risks and added responsibility. Social media can be harmful if it is not used appropriately.

Without meaning to, kids can easily share more online than they should. Kids often post photos of themselves online or use their real names, birthdates, location, or school name. This information can make them easy targets for online predators or others with bad intentions.

Additionally, kids sometimes forget that photos, videos, and comments made online can’t be taken back after they have been sent or posted. It’s impossible to completely erase something once it’s been posted online. This may not cause problems for a child now but can lead to issues years later as they apply for college or a job. It is common for a college admissions office or recruiter to scour the internet for information on an applicant, ultimately discovering something a child may not want them to find. If a child would be embarrassed for a family member or future boss to see a photo or video, they shouldn’t post it.

Studies have shown that social media can negatively impact a child’s mental health. The pressure to get “likes” or keep up with other peers online can lead to depression and anxiety as well as unrealistic expectations.

What can families do?

• Limit the time kids spend on social media.
• “Friend” or “follow” your kids’ social profiles and remind them never to “friend” strangers.
• Encourage kids to use privacy settings.
• Remind kids that mean behavior is never okay, including online.

Check out the District’s website for additional social media tips.

Frostbite is a condition in which skin or part of the body becomes partially frozen due to exposure to cold. Body parts most likely to be frostbitten are the fingers, toes, ears, nose, and cheeks. In the beginning stages of frostbite, the skin will become very red and then pale.

DO:

• Do bring the child indoors.
• Do warm the area in a pan of lukewarm water.
• If hands or feet are affected, elevate them above the heart level.
• Keep exposed areas dry to help prevent more frostbite.

DO NOT:

• Do not rub or massage the area.
• Do not warm with a heating pad.
• Do not break blisters that have formed.

CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF:

• The skin blisters.
• The area feels numb after 15 minutes of warming.
• The skin is cold, white, hard and waxy feeling. This usually means the frostbite is severe.

PREVENTION:

• Protect children from cold, wind and moisture.
• Dress them in proper clothing:
• Dress your child in several layers of light, loose clothing rather than one heavy garment.
• Protect the child’s head and neck with a hat and scarf and his/her face with a mask.
• For outdoor play, boots high enough to cover the ankles, two pairs of socks and mittens or gloves should be worn.
• Try to make arrangements for your child’s transportation to and from school, instead of walking, on extremely cold days.

Reference:

Iowa Emergency Guidelines For Schools. 2012 Edition.

www.educateiowa.gov/documents/school-nurse/2013/08/iowa-emergency-guidelines-schools-2012