Weekly Update: February 18, 2022
Weekly Update: February 18, 2022
Dear Grinnell-Newburg Board of Education, Staff, Families, and Friends:
Happy Friday! I hope that this weekly update finds you and your family well. Just a reminder that there is no school on Monday February 21,2022. Enjoy your long weekend.
Board Meeting Update:
Next Wednesday the Board will participate in a board workshop session. Focus for this session will be on certified budget and legal update with a focus on roles and responsibilities from our district’s attorney. The meeting format will begin with a brief consent agenda, workshop and approval of a few items as a follow up from previous meeting.
Black History Month feature activity:
This past week, sixth grade students focused on writing a feature article about a person in history who has overcome challenges. The springboard for this activity is a study of Jackie Robinson. Students will complete a feature article about the person of their choice who has overcome similar challenges. Thank you for sharing sixth grade team!
Assisting students to be in school:
In an effort to support students facing barriers with getting to school, a resource has been added at GHS. Students that miss the bus or need a ride to school can now call the high school main number and may be offered a ride through a special new program. We have a van and a trained staff member able to help get students to school so that transportation is not a barrier to being in class. Students in need can reach out for a ride between 8:20am and 11:00am for help. We care about all students and want them in classes! We will be testing this support for students to see if it is a viable option to expand.
Covid Update:
The positivity rate in Grinnell has dropped to 7% for the 7 day rate. (Update chart here)
An update from our Public Health Department states:
Updated Clinical Considerations for COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance -
For people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised:
● CDC clarified existing guidance to confirm those who previously received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) should receive a total of 4 doses: a primary series of 3 doses of an mRNA vaccine, plus 1 booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (4th dose).
● CDC provided new guidance that:
○ People who initiated vaccination with Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine should receive a total of 3 doses: 1 Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen dose, followed by 1 additional mRNA dose at least 28 days later, then 1 booster dose at least 2 months after the 2nd (additional) dose. mRNA vaccines are preferred for the Booster.
○ People who received a 3-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccination series should receive the booster dose 3 months after the primary series (instead of 5 months after the primary series).
Pfizer Pediatric 6 months through 4 years of age COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout - DELAYED
On Friday, February 11, 2022, Pfizer notified the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that new data have emerged regarding its emergency use authorization request for the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine in children 6 months through 4 years of age.
Based on the FDAs preliminary assessment, additional information regarding the ongoing evaluation of a third dose should be considered as part of the decision-making for potential authorization. As a result, the FDA has postponed the virtual meeting of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) scheduled for February 15, 2022 to allow more time for the evaluation of additional data. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.
Activities Update from the desk of Mr. Coffman:
The boys swimming state-qualifying relay teams all improved their time and placings at the State Swimming Meet on February 12.
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The 200 Medley Relay re-broke their record and finished 19th!
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The 200 Free Relay swam the 2nd fastest time in school history and finished 20th.
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The 400 Free Relay won the first heat finishing 15th and scored points for the team!
Congratulations to our Public Forum debaters for a very strong performance at the East Iowa District Tournament! All three of our teams finished in the top half of the field, including two teams in the top four, with one team -- Kiran Jones and Ella Stephens -- qualifying for the NSDA National Tournament!
Grinnell has 5 performances at this year's All-State festival: Solo Mime, Group Mime, Choral Reading, Ensemble Acting, & Musical Theatre!
Congratulations to Dylan Heater for his first place finish at the district wrestling meet. Dylan advanced to the state meet and won his first round.
Congratulations to Logan McDonald for his third place finish at the district wrestling meet.
Best of luck to the girls and boys basketball teams as they begin postseason.
The boys will travel to Dewitt on Monday 21st. Tickets need to be purchased online at iahsaa.org/tickets/
The girls’ basketball team hosts Pella on Saturday, February 19th at 7:00 at Grinnell High School. Tickets are online only and can be purchased at the link below. No passes accepted and all tickets have to be purchased online, due to being a state event.
Get your Grinnell event tickets here!
Way to go coaches, sponsors and students!
Spring Musical- HONK
Ugly looks quite a bit different from his darling duckling brothers and sisters. The other animals on the farm are quick to notice and point this out, despite his mother's protective flapping. Feeling rather foul about himself, the little fowl finds himself on an adventure of self-discovery, all the while unknowingly outwitting a very hungry Cat. Along the way, Ugly meets a whole flock of unique characters and finds out that being different is not a bad thing to be.
Tickets can be purchased using the Grinnell Event Tickets link Get your Grinnell event tickets here!
Grinnell Tiger Paws annual Winter Show will be held on February 25, 2022 7:00 PM GHS.
Ticket information below!
ART SHOW:
The high school and middle school art show will be held February 17th through March 10th at the Stewart Gallery at 926 Broad Street, Grinnell. The closing reception will be held March 10th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Be sure to check out the Virtual Backpack as new items are posted often.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Janet