H1N1 Update

The district continues to monitor both student and staff attendance rates and has seen an increase in both.  We are not in a position to discern those which can be attributed to H1N1.  On most days not during any type of flu season, the absence rates at each of the five schools in the districts range from 2% to 5%.  There are usually slight elevations to these rates on Monday and Friday of each week and on days before a "no school" day or week.  The most recent absence rate data by school is listed below. As you will note, the absence rate has decreased significantly from what was reported in my last communication to you.
 
HKHS
November 10, 2009
Number of students absent  53
Percent absent:  7.68%
 
November 9, 2009
Number of students absent  50
Percent absent:  7.25%

November 2, 2009
Number of students absent  54
Percent absent:  7.83%

 

HKMS
November 10, 2009
Number of students absent  47
Percent absent:  5.86%
 
November 9, 2009
Number of students absent  57
Percent absent:  7.11%
 
November 2, 2009
Number of students absent  178
Percent absent:  22.19%
  

KES
November 10, 2009
Number of students absent  31
Percent absent:  7.06%
 
November 9, 2009
Number of students absent  35
Percent absent:  7.97%

November 2, 2009
Number of students absent  140
Percent absent:  31.89%
  
 
BES
November 10, 2009
Number of students absent  19
Percent absent:  6.31%
 
November 9, 2009
Number of students absent  20
Percent absent:  6.64%

November 2, 2009
Number of students absent  51
Percent absent:  16.94%
  
 
HES
November 10, 2009
Number of students absent  18
Percent absent:  6.67%
 
November 9, 2009
Number of students absent  21
Percent absent:  7.78%

November 2, 2009
Number of students absent  90
Percent absent:  33.33%

As a reminder, each school is poised to engage plans that will allow each to continue providing appropriate instruction if staff absence rates compromise the integrity of providing instruction to students who are present.  If you wish to understand the specifics of these plans please feel free to contact the principal of your child's school.
 
I thank you for your continued cooperation with the practice of keeping your child home if he/she is sick and by encouraging good health practices such as hand washing and sneezing/coughing into one's elbow if the need arises.
 
I also thank you for your patience as we work to keep you informed of the impact the H1N1 virus may have in our schools.

The schools district's web site at www.rsd17.org continues to be a primary site where you may obtain the most current information about the flu.  Additional sites include those listed below.
 
http://www.chathamhealth.org/
http://www.crahd.org/
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/toolkit/
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/schoolguidance.htm

 

 

 

I am pleased to announce that HKHS students Katherine Faust and Eric Gambardella have been selected to receive the Student Recognition Awards being presented by the Connecticut Association of Public Schools. These annual awards are presented to students who have distinguished themselves from their peers by a demonstrated commitment to community service to others, academic prowess relative to ability and leadership service to both their community and school.  Both students will be recognized at the annual Middlesex Shoreline Superintendents Association luncheon to be held on Monday, November 18, 2008 beginning at 12:00 noon at the Old Saybrook Point Inn in Old Saybrook.   
 

 

Craft Fair
Haddam Killingworth Middle School PTO is holding their 22nd Annual Craft Fair on Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Fair will be located at the HK Middle School, 451 Route 81, Killingworth.  Free Admission.  Over 50 Professional Crafters, lunch, snacks, and bake sale.
 

 
Spotlight on Seventeen
The first three sessions of Spotlight on Seventeen have been filmed and are being aired on Channel 18.  Session one is an interview with Juan Vasquez, the district's Teacher of the Year. The second session is an interview with Linda Kauffman, District Nursing Supervisor. The third session is an interview with Scott Butson, District Technology Manager.  Each session will also be included for viewing under the "Spotlight on Seventeen" tab of the district's website at www.rsd17.org.

 

 

SNOW CANCELLATION PROCEDURES
 
Director of Transportation calls dispatch to receive reports from State Police and Public Works
Superintendent consults with Director of Transportation

Superintendent consults with Director Fiscal Operations as needed
Superintendent consults with Region 13, Clinton, East Haddam and Region 4
Superintendent consults with Director of Facilities
Superintendent reviews weather conditions using local and area media services

Superintendent Makes Decision Using All Available Information
 
Decision is made between 5:00 A.M. & 5:30 A.M.
 
Options
1.  Open - Regular School
2.  Two (2) Hour Delay
3.  Close
 

Superintendent Initiates Honeywell Instant Alert Message via District Technology Manager
Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent calls local media
Superintendent initiates use of call chain
 
 
EARLY CLOSING PROCEDURES
 

Superintendent or Director of Facilities call dispatch to receive reports from State Police and Public Works
Superintendent consults with Region 13, East Haddam, Clinton & Region 4
Superintendent consults with Director of Transportation
Superintendent and Director of Facilities to review weather conditions using local and area media services
Superintendent makes decision using all available information.
DECISION IS MADE

Superintendent or Director of Transportation calls dispatch to report decision
Superintendent Initiates Honeywell Instant Alert Message via Director of Information Systems
Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent calls local media
Superintendent initiates use of call chain
 
 
Note:  A decision to dismiss early will only be used when the threat of weather is predicable and probable.  The logic here is as follows:
 
1.  In some cases, we would be dismissing students during the height of road crews completing the treatment of the roads.  It is always best to wait until treatments are completed to a certain level.

2.  In some cases, we would be sending students home without anyone home and without advanced notice.  We respect the fact that many people work away from their homes.

Please visit the District Calendar located on the district's homepage (www.rsd17.org) to see when the various activities and meetings are scheduled.

A reminder that the district utilizes the Honeywell Instant Alert system to communicate with parents during times of emergency or to deliver messages of high importance.  Please be sure that you are registered with Honeywell (link available at www.rsd17.org) and have indicated how you wish to have messages received.  If you have questions regarding this, please do not hesitate to contact the Principal of any one of our schools for assistance.  
 
 
If you wish to have an announcement included in any Weekly Message, please forward the text to Pamela Hensel, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools at henselp44@rsd17.org.
 
 
If you have any suggestions regarding the Weekly Message, please contact Gary S. Mala, Superintendent of Schools at gmala@rsd17.org.
 
 
Enjoy your week and thank you for your continued support.
 
 
Gary
Gary S. Mala
Superintendent of Schools
Regional School District 17
(860) 345-4534
http://www.rsd17.org
"Transforming Teaching and Learning"