Superintendent’s Message
December 16, 2016
Dear Skykomish Community,
I hope that this newsletter finds you well, warm, and winsome.
I want to personally thank our facilities, custodial, and maintenance folks for keeping us warm and cozy during this cold and wintery weather. For some it’s always a challenge to adjust to such hard weather, but I am exceptionally proud of our faculty and staff who have shown great flexibility during this weather to make certain we have everything we need to keep our building functioning and our students safe. I want to extend a huge thank you to our bus drivers who have traveled our icy and treacherous roads to transport our students safely and soundly to and from home during these icy elements.
On behalf of our School Board Directors, our faculty, and our staff I want to wish each of you a very merry holiday season and a happy New Year! May your home be filled with joy, peace, warmth, and laughter surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones.
Happy Holidays,
Thomas Jay
Superintendent
FROM THE NURSE’S OFFICE
Now that the pesky deadline for school immunization reporting has come and gone, let's review some facts and remember exactly why it is that we put our children through the unpleasant - and occasionally traumatic - experience of getting vaccinated. For most of us, the closest we get to diphtheria or polio is in historical novels or movies. Recently a fan forum for the PBS series “Poldark” included a lively e-discussion over what the affliction referred to as “putrid throat” would be known as today. Scarlet fever? Diphtheria? What a miraculous time to be alive, when we can study diseases that have been all but eradicated!
Well, almost.
While the United States can boast that a large percentage of the population chooses to be vaccinated, international travel makes it a quick trip for some diseases to make it back to our shores. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is to disease activity, what the FBI is to criminals. The CDC reported last year that the United States experienced a record number of measles cases during 2014, with 668 cases from 27 states reported.
If vaccines are so effective, why do outbreaks still occur? Just recently in the news, King County reported an outbreak of mumps (36 confirmed cases) and Public Health officials are directing unvaccinated children to stay home until 25 days after the case has been reported. The 25 day count starts all over if a new case is diagnosed or even suspected in the interim. Auburn has 32 of the confirmed cases, but adults in surrounding areas like Kent, Pacific and Federal Way are also now sick with the mumps.
Most of the patients were vaccinated, so while the vaccine doesn't guarantee a disease-free population, one of the best advantages to being vaccinated is that serious secondary complications such as meningitis are far less likely.
Outbreaks of whooping cough can happen in middle school and high school as the effectiveness of childhood vaccines fade. The good news here is that those having received the vaccine will likely have a very mild form of the illness if they do get sick.
Some of the best reasons to vaccinate are:
* Saves time and money in child care and school absences
* Babies in a vaccinated community are much safer – until they are old enough to get their own vaccines
* Protects future generations, as some diseases are eliminated (smallpox)
* They are a safe and effective means of preventing 14 different illnesses
* You are protecting, not only your own child, but helping protect your community as well. Vaccines – they’re not just about you!
For an interesting take on the flip side of the coin, check out:
Upcoming Events
1/3/17 - Return to School from Winter Break
1/5/17 - Girls Basketball @ Home 5:00 pm
1/12/17 - PTSO Meeting 3:15pm
1/16/17 – No School MLK Day
1/18/17 – Girls Basketball @ Home 5:00 pm
1/19/17 – Girls Basketball @ Home 5:00 pm
1/24/17 – Girls Basketball @ Sultan 3:30 pm
1/25/17 – School Board Meeting 6:30 pm
1/26/17 – Girls Basketball @ Lopez 3:00 pm
1/27/17 – End of Semester
11:30 am Early Release
1/28/17 – Winter Formal
1/30/17 – Sno-Isle Tour 9th – 11th Grade
Happy Holidays
From all of us
To You!