Week of April 27, 2009
There has been a lot of media coverage about the recent
confirmation of human cases of swine influenza in several
states. There are no confirmed cases in this state; but, I
(Linda Kaufman) did want to provide you with some information that
may be helpful. First and most importantly, this is a virus
that passes from person to person. You will not get it from
eating pork. Like any influenza, it is thought to spread
mainly through coughing or sneezing among infected
people. "Symptoms of swine flu include fever, lethargy,
lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat,
and sometimes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea," according to the
CDC.
There are many things you can to do to prevent getting and
spreading influenza. These everyday actions that you can take
to stay healthy include:
* Cough or sneeze into your arm or cover
your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw
the tissue in the trash after you use it and then wash your hands.
* Wash your hands often with soap and
water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands
cleaners are also effective. Handwashing is the single most
important thing you can do to protect yourself
* Avoid sharing drinks, water bottles or
silverware with others.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or
mouth. Germs spread that way.
* Stay away from people that you know
are sick.
* If you get sick, the CDC recommends
that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others
to keep from infecting them. The CDC recommends that you do
not return until all symptoms have been resolved for at least 24
hours.
There is no reason to panic. If you have any
additional questions regarding this issue please do not hesitate to
call Linda Kauffman, the district nursing supervisor, at 345-4584 or
your child's building nurse.
As many of you may know, the
Regional School District 17 is establishing the HK Hall of
Fame. In this inaugural year, the district has chosen to
recognize five individuals who have touched the lives of many
students and families in their roles as coaches. Richard
"Dick" Dupuis (Track & Field), Patsy Kamercia (Field Hockey),
Mark Brookes (Baseball), Richard Langer (Volleyball) and Dennis
O'Rourke (Football) have been coaching their respective sports since
their inception in the 1970's. It is the honor of the district
to recognize their service and commitment to our children. The
HK Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on May 30 at 6:30
p.m. at the Haddam-Killingworth Middle School.
The committee is looking for volunteers to help with
set up and clean up. If you are willing to donate some of your
time on Friday afternoon for set up, Saturday afternoon for set up,
or Saturday evening for clean up during and/or after the event,
please contact Amy Jacques-Purdy at 345-2145 or
ajacquesp@comcast.net. Any assistance is greatly
appreciated.
REGIONAL
SCHOOL DISTICT NO.
17
2009/2010 Budget Time
Line
Monday,
May 4,
2009
Annual Meeting.
7:00 pm HK High School Auditorium
Annual meeting on the 2009/2010 budget.
Tuesday, May 5,
2009
REFERENDUM in each respective town on the Board of Education's
Budget for 2009/2010
The public is more than
welcome to attend any of the budget workshops and any of the Budget
Committee meetings. Certainly our Budget Committee is eager to
communicate effectively with the town officials in both Haddam and
Killingworth. As a Budget Committee responsible for
articulating the educational needs of the school district in a
fiscally responsible manner, we have the difficult task of striking
a balance between our educational needs and our fiscal
responsibilities. Our committee will be monitoring activity
and actions at the legislative level most carefully, and wherever
possible will be providing input in order to protect both the
educational and financial interests of the district and our
towns.
HK Youth and Family Servces (YFS) announces an
oppotunity to learn basic information about qualifying for MEDICAID
(Title XIX) in Connecticut
There will also be an
opportunity to ask questions. This program is FREE and open to the
public. April 28, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at the Killingworth Library or
May 5, 2009 at the Haddam Firehouse. Space is limited, please
call Youth and Family Services of Haddam Killingworth at 345-7498 to
register.
Single-Parent Support Group
Held at Youth
& Family Services of Haddam-Killingworth, Inc.
91 Little City
Road
Higganum, CT
Children are welcome to attend and participate in a group
activity while parents meet separately.
Please call Youth & Family Services to Sign
Up!
345-7498
Please visit the District Calendar located on the
district's homepage (www.rsd17.org) to see when various events are
scheduled to happen.
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 announcements included in any Weekly
Message or 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 of
your schools.
Gary
Gary S. Mala
Superintendent of
Schools
Regional School District 17
(860)
345-4534
http://www.rsd17.org
"Believing is
Achieving"
