Weekly Update: January 21, 2022
Weekly Update: January 21, 2022
Dear Grinnell-Newburg Board of Education, Staff, Families, and Friends:
Happy Friday! I would like to thank our families for their flexibility during these cold winter days as we keep an eye on the weather. Decisions to hold a late start or school cancellation are based on many factors affecting the Grinnell area. These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis using several guiding factors. Our priority is to have students in school safely and on time during these days, as many students count on the early morning breakfast, and families may not have the flexibility to stay home.
How do we determine if we will hold a late start or cancellation? Many factors are considered: can buses run, are roads clear enough for travel, are wind chills identified as “Warning or Advisory,” will temperatures improve throughout the day, can we safely get our staff to school, etc. Typically if there is an advisory message about wind chill, as this past Thursday, we will start on time. However, this morning changed from advisory (last evening) “to dangerous wind chill in which skin exposure of less than 10 minutes may cause frostbite”. These conditions will always be cause for either a delay or cancellation depending upon the severity and if the weather will improve throughout the day. Please know that I monitor the weather the day before a potential inclement event and then watch for early morning changes. Whenever possible, I will make the call the evening before, however, if there is a chance for improvement in the morning, I will wait. Thank you again for your patience and understanding as we make inclement weather schedule changes.
COVID update:
The 7-day percentage rate for COVID-19 is at 18.7%, therefore masks will be required next week. (Remember to click on the January 2022 tab to view) Masks are optional at evening events or activities. The Grinnell zip code area has had an uptick in positive cases in the last few weeks. I strongly encourage you to wear a mask, stay home if you are sick, and wash your hands frequently. My hope is that we will be out of this soon and watch our positive COVID numbers decrease.
Message from Director of Public Health:
As you have likely heard, the federal website where individuals can order at-home rapid antigen tests is now live. Each household can order 4 kits free of charge.
It does take a week or two to ship, so this is something that would likely be done preemptively, not after someone has symptoms.
The link to order is below. This is a good resource to recommend to others.
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Please let me know if you have questions.
Thank you,
Shauna Callaway, RN, BSN
Director of Public Health and Wellness
Parent-Teacher Conferences are just around the corner:
Principals have sent out links and provided information and instructions for parent-teacher conference sign-up! Here is the schedule for next week! Check your building announcements page for further information.
January 26th early out @ 1:00 - Approved early dismissal day for staff planning due to sub shortages and coverage.
January 27 early out @ 1:00 - Parent/Teacher conferences
January 28 - No school - Parent/Teacher conferences
Get Ready for a real Treat from our Jazz Band!
We hope that you will join us for: “Tunes and Treats Jazz Band Concert and Dessert Night”!
MS and HS Jazz Bands
Jan. 28 @5:30 pm
GHS Auditorium
Individual and family-sized "to-go" treats available for purchase at the conclusion of the concert.
Senior Night Wrestling: Congratulations to our Seniors! Thank you to our families for all of the support for your Tiger Wrestler!
Tiger Mat Club attended the wrestling meet last evening to cheer on the GHS Wrestling Team! Future Tiger Wrestlers!
The virtual Backpack can be found here: Virtual BackPack Link
To access the Activities Calendar, click here.
Have a wonderful weekend! Stay Warm!
Janet