Amana Elementary
Newsletter
In spite of everything, I believe people are really good at heart
This beautiful quote is of course one from Anne Frank during a time of horrific atrocities. I do believe the quote is applicable today and never more evident than this past week’s work between Amana Elementary’s 5th grade and Clear Creek Amana high school’s SAT (Student Assistance Team) students. I do not have the words to fully express how proud I am to be able to witness this special time between the visiting high school students and 5th grade students, and then again between the students and the residents at the Amana Retirement community. Ms. Hess (Amana 5th grade) and Ms. Moore (high school English), both educational rock stars in their related schools, in collaboration with one of the greatest gifts to the Amana community in Joey Glass, created such a memorable day I believe everyone who participated will remember for a lifetime. On occasion I will hear grumblings about the state of America’s youth and where we are heading. Don’t believe it! It’s moments like these which continue to fill me with hope that we are going to be just fine! We continue to be invited back to the Amana retirement home and work to create different opportunities for our students to be able to meet and talk to living legends! The residents stories they share are fascinating. Next week, in the spirit of the Holiday, our 4th and 5th grade students will be heading over for some caroling! I would encourage anyone and everyone to consider volunteering some time at the Amana Retirement Home. It will be time well spent I am sure.
We are Amana!
Ben Macumber, Principal
Upcoming Events
- Monday, Dec. 16 - All PE classes will be swimming
- Monday, Dec. 16 - K-2 Concert, 6:30 PM; 3-5 Concert, 7:30 pm
- Thursday, Dec. 19 - Preschool Family Night
- Friday, Dec. 20 - Two Hour Early Dismissal *this is a change from the 2019.2020 school calendar*
- December 23 - January 3 - Winter Break
QUICK REMINDER- 5TH GRADE BANDS
This is just a short reminder for all 5th grade bands about upcoming “open rehearsal” events next week. As I mentioned in my last 2 notes, these are low-key events with the goal being able to play for our fellow elementary school classmates and show them how hard band members have been working since the end of September (and to have some fun!).
Amana Elem. – Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 2:40 pm
Oak Hill Elem. – Thursday, Dec. 19 at 9:00 am
Clear Creek Elem. - -Thursday, Dec. 19 at 2:30 pm
All events are in the school’s gym and of course, friends and family are welcome to attend. No special clothes are necessary but if students want to wear “holiday garb” I am fine with that!
Please remind your musician to bring instruments AND music to school next week- once we get started setting up chairs/stands it’s too busy to get extra music out at the last minute!
Thanks for letting me work with your young musicians- they have been a lot of fun to work with this semester!
Mr. Flaherty
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Information
We have reported cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease in our school community. This viral illness is characterized by blisters or ulcers on the palms of the hands, fingers, soles of the feet, buttocks, and inside of the mouth. Other signs and symptoms may include fever, malaise, sore throat, and poor appetite. It is spread from person to person by direct contact with nose and mouth secretions, saliva, fluid from the blisters, or feces of an infected person. The virus can persist in feces for several weeks. Symptoms usually appear 3 to 5 days after exposure and the rash may last 7 to 10 days. The best prevention of Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease is good hand washing, covering the mouth and nose when coughing and/or sneezing, and washing toys or other surfaces that may have saliva on them. Children with fever should not come to school until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication. Children who have ulcers in their mouth and are drooling should be excluded from school until those symptoms are gone for 24 hours.
If your child experiences signs or symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, please contact your family healthcare provider to discuss care.
Kathy Campbell, RN
CCA Director of Health Services
Dropping Off Students
Students who do not ride the bus should not be dropped off prior to 7:45 AM. We prefer to have students dropped off by the doors next to the cafeteria. Students should go directly to the cafeteria. This is an attempt to keep our students safe and supervised. At no time should students PreK through 3rd grade be heading to their locker unless accompanied by an adult.
Do not leave your car unless you are parked in a designated parking spot. Buses need to be able to pull through both the loop in the front of the building by the flag pole and the area near the caferteria. If cars are parked in these areas the buses are not able to pull through and stay on schedule.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping the drop off areas clear and safe when students are coming to school in the morning.
CCA Illness Policy
Please report your child's illness and please review the following guidelines about student illnesses:
- Please notify the school if your child is going to be absent or tardy for any reason.
- If the absence is due to an illness, please let us know your child’s symptoms (i.e. nausea, vomiting, fever, headache, sore throat, cough, rash, body aches, etc.).
- If your child sees their healthcare provider for the illness, please let us know the outcome of that visit and if your child was diagnosed with a contagious disease. This will help us track illnesses, identify outbreaks, and allow us to notify the health department if a reportable communicable disease is identified.
- If your child is ill and has a fever (100 or higher), they should not return to school until they are fever-free for 24 consecutive hours without the aid of fever-reducing medications.
- If your child is vomiting, they should not return until they have not vomited for 24 hours.
- If your child is being treated for a contagious bacterial infection (i.e strep throat), they should not return to school until 24 hours after antibiotics are started and until they are fever-free for 24 consecutive hours without the aid fever-reducing medications.
The school nurse or office personnel will evaluate students who become ill at school. If it is determined that the child is too sick to remain in school, a parent/guardian will be called and asked to come and pick the child up.
Thanks for your help in adhering to these guidelines that will help keep our school healthy and decrease the risks of spreading contagious diseases.
The BackPack Program
We participate in a program called The BackPack Program. This is a partnership between HACAP and the CCA Community Schools. The BackPack Program provides a food pack of kid-friendly, non-perishable food for children on the weekends and during school breaks. This is a FREE program, without cost to families. It is also kept completely confidential – only the counselor will be aware of participating families. If this would be helpful for you and your children, please contact Kelsey Koffend by phone at (319) 622-3255 or by email at kelseykoffend@ccaschools.org. There is a limited number of spots available, so it is important that you call or email to get your child’s name on the list.
Shoes That Fit
Shoes That Fit is a program that provides shoes to children in need. If your child needs new shoes this year and this program would be helpful to you, please contact Kelsey Koffend by phone at (319) 622-3255 or by email at kelseykoffend@ccaschools.org.
Help Support Our School
Ronal McDonald House Tabs
Box Tops for Education
Register Tapes for Education
Register Tapes for Education
Amana Elementaty
benmacumber@ccaschools.org
319-622-3255
Email: colleenconrad@ccaschools.org
Website: https://www.ccaschools.org/AE
Location: 3023 220th Trail, Middle Amana, IA, USA
Phone: (319) 622-3255