Vol. 8, Issue No. 16
December 14, 2020
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From the Hawk's Nest, New River CTC's employee newsletter, is distributed twice a month, and we need your input! Have story ideas or photos for From the Hawk's Nest? Send them to the Office of Communications for the next edition.
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Stay home for safer holidays |
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With COVID-19 cases on the rise, the safest way to celebrate holidays is to stay home and celebrate with the people who live with you. Although the pandemic has been stressful and isolating, getting together with family and friends who do not live with you can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu. This holiday season, consider how your plans can be modified to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep your friends, families, and communities healthy.
Learn more about how to have safe holiday celebrations.
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Protect People in Your Home from COVID-19
COVID-19 can spread anywhere – even places where you feel safe, like your home. If one person in your household gets COVID-19, it can spread to others in your home. If your household includes one or more people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, then all household members should act as if they are more likely to get very sick. Consider wearing masks in shared spaces around others in your home. In shared spaces, stay about 2 arm lengths apart, wash your hands often using soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and monitor your health daily.
Learn more about how to protect your home from COVID-19.
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New River CTC welcomes Robby Queen as Campus Director |
A Logan County native and a graduate of West Virginia University, Robby Queen has served West Virginia as part of the last three gubernatorial administrations, including Assistant Secretary of Transportation and Assistant Commissioner of Highways for the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs to Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, and as Special Assistant to Governor Joe Manchin III. No stranger to the New River Valley, Robby also has also served as a district representative for former U.S. Representative Nick Joe Rahall. Most recently, he served as Public Policy Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association, West Virginia chapter.
Robby is a member of the West Virginia State Society, and he was a fellow of the 2018 Henry Toll Fellowship Program through the Council of State Governments. He was a member of the 2016 class of The State Journal’s “40 Under 40”, and in 2017, he was named a “Distinguished West Virginian” by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.
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Shamil Walton transitions to new position as Records Officer |
Shamil Walton is a New River CTC graduate. She began working in the College’s Business Office in 2014, part-time, and became a full-time employee in 2015. She has recently accepted the position of Records Officer in the Registrar’s Office. Congratulations, Shamil! |
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Holiday greetings from the ATC! |
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Updates completed at the ATC
Several projects have been underway at the Advanced Technology Center in Ghent. First, we are pleased to report that the ATC roof restoration project has been completed by the roofing crew, Insulated Roofing Contractors. A final walk through meeting was scheduled for substantial completion by John Harris/Bastian & Harris Architects, Rich Donovan/HEPC, Insulated Roofing Contractors and New River CTC. There is already a noticeable difference in the heating inside the building.
Another major project completion this month was the water pump house project. Mr. Lafon/Famco, Inc., is working on scheduling a final review with the WV State Fire Marshal. The system is up and running with no issues.
Also at the ATC, Lee Lilly has been working very hard to keep the floors looking good. It’s difficult with all the wind and dust, but he continues to work on them. Thank you, Lee for your hard work!
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Congratulations to our bookstore voucher winners
Bookstore vouchers continue for students participating in the COVID-19 saliva testing. For weeks 4, 5 and 6 the winners were Kaitlyn Grimmett, Robert Crawford, and Zach Moul.
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First snow of the season
It’s that time of year again where our maintenance teams brave the cold to clear the way. Thank you for your snow removal work around our campuses!
Pictured: Snow removal at the ATC by Don Epling, and NCC byJohn Hamon.
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Free physical activity resources available in December
In-person Programs
Self Guided Resources
Online Free Fitness Classes
Please visit our Active Southern WV event pages before programs for updates, descriptions, cancellations, and locations. Active SWV programs are free and open to all people in a welcoming and safe environment, directed by Community Captain volunteers. Active SWV is always striving to serve members of all of our southern West Virginia communities. If you are interested in volunteering, donating programming space, or working towards adding activities in your town, please contact us for more information.
COVID awareness and guidelines
The volunteers, participants, partners acknowledge and understand exposure to disease causing organisms, such as COVID-19, and personal contact with others, including but not limited to participants, non-participants, organizers, volunteers, onlookers and other individuals in the activity/program involve a certain degree of risk that could result in illness, permanent disability or death. Participants acknowledge that Active SWV has not screened or tested any of the participants for such diseases. After fully and carefully considering all the potential risks involved, participants hereby assume the same and agree to release and hold harmless Active SWV and its employees, officers, agents, volunteers, vendors and contractors from and against all claims and liability resulting from exposure to disease causing organisms such as COVID-19.
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Wishing You a Healthy, Safe, and Happy Holiday Season!
Check out these tips to keep you safe during the holidays:
COVID-19 Holiday Safety
Online Holiday Shopping, protect yourself from scammers and spammers
Reduce Stress!
WV HELP 304 - FREE Stress/Crisis Counseling
PET Safety
Remember West Virginia
PROTECT Yourself and Others
#MaskUpWV!
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Community Use of Masks to Control the Spread of COVID-19
People age 2 and older should wear masks in public settings and when around people who don’t live in their household. Masks offer some protection to you and are also meant to protect those around you, in case you have COVID-19, but don’t know it. A mask is NOT a substitute for social distancing and should still be worn in addition to staying at least 6 feet apart from others. However, masks may not be necessary when you are outside by yourself away from others, or with other people who live in your household.
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Defensive Driving December 2020 |
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Fleet Management provides monthly driving tips to provide agencies with a way to promote good defensive driving techniques ensuring the safety of state vehicle operators. For December 2020, Fleet is providing information on winterizing your car.
As the days start to get shorter, and the temperatures begin to fall, one should turn their attention to preparing their vehicle for the cold winter months ahead. Vehicle safety is important during winter weather conditions, especially if you drive on icy or snowy roads. Here are a few ways to winterize your car for colder days and make the driving easier for you.
Good Visibility is Vital
If your wipers are leaving streaks of water on your windshield, or if the wiper-blade rubber shows any signs of cracking or stiffness, replace them with a new set. Make sure your windshield washer reservoir is filled with a washer solution that contains an antifreeze agent. Also, make sure your car’s heater is functioning properly to be able to direct warm air to the windshield when it is in defrost mode. Finally, check that all the vehicle’s lights are working properly and clear of snow and ice so you will have optimum visibility at night and that other motorists will be able to see you.
Consider a Switch to Winter Tires
If you drive a lot in slippery in slippery conditions, it’s a good idea to replace your all-season tires with a set of dedicated winter tires, which have tread patterns and rubber compounds specifically designed for optimum traction on slick roads. If you are using winter tires, you might want to consider having them mounted on inexpensive steel wheels. This will make it easier to switch between the two sets of tires and save your expensive alloy wheels from the damage inflicted by harsh winter conditions.
Keep the Battery in Good Shape
Cold temperatures reduce your battery’s cranking power-in fact, at about zero degrees F, your battery only has about half the cranking power it has at 80 degrees. At the same time, the thickened oil in a cold engine makes it harder to turn over. For conventional batteries, remove the plastic caps on top of the battery and check the fluid level. If the fluid level is low, add distilled water. On maintenance-free batteries, check that the window at the top of the battery indicates a fully charged state. If it’s not, have the battery professionally tested at a service station. If it is defective, its best to replace it before it goes completely dead.
Make Sure You Use The Right Engine Oil
Engine oil thickens when cold, making it harder for the engine to turn over. Modern cars use multi-weight oil that is suitable for a wide range of temperatures, but some manufacturers recommend specific grades of oil for specific temperature ranges. If you expect to experience extremely low temperatures, you can have an engine block heater installed in the engine. When plugged into a household electrical outlet, it keeps the engine oil from getting cold and thick.
Check Your Cooling System
Extreme cold can cause rubber parts to become brittle and fail. When the engine is cold, check the radiator and heater hoses for cracking, leaking, or contamination from oil or grease. The hoses should be firm, yet pliable when you squeeze them. Replace them if they feel brittle or overly soft.
For most vehicles, the cooling system should be flushed at least every two years. This helps keep corrosion from building up in the system. Do this before cold weather hits. The system should be refilled with a mixture of antifreeze and water, typically at a 50/50 ratio. This will keep your coolant from freezing to well below zero.
Protection For Inside and Out
The dirt and salt of winter can attack your car’s paint finish. To help protect it, give the car a fresh coat of wax before the snow flies and wash it regularly during the winter months. Wash the wheel wells and underbody regularly to prevent road salt from building up. Apply wax to alloy wheels to help prevent pitting and corrosion. Use floor mats to protect your car’s carpet from water and mud that tends to get tracked into the vehicle.
Prevent Freeze-ups
Water can get into door and trunk locks and then freeze, locking you out of the vehicle. To prevent this, lubricate the locks with a silicone spray or door-lock lubricant. If they are already frozen, use a lock antifreeze product to thaw them.
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New River CTC does not discriminate in its educational programs or in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, veteran or military status, disability, or genetic information or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal or state laws. The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the College’s non-discrimination policies relating to disabilities, sex, Title IX or other forms of discrimination: Peter Hoeman, Interim Dean of Student Services and Title IX Coordinator, 304-929-5027, phoeman@newriver.edu, 280 University Drive, Beaver, WV 25801. Additional information can be found on the College’s website at www.newriver.edu/nondiscrimination.
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