COVID 19 Communication Protocol and Dashboard
As part of our communication process related to positive COVID-19 cases, Craven County Schools will be updating a district dashboard to display the number of NEW positive cases three times a week. This information will be posted on the district website every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 5:00 pm. In an effort to protect the confidentiality of our staff and students we will not release the name of the school. The dashboard is located at:
www.cravenk12.org
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The City of New Bern to Host Two (2) Upcoming COVID-19 Testing Events
In response to rising COVID-19 cases in New Bern and Craven County, the City of New Bern has partnered with Greene County Health Care, Inc. (GCHC) to host two (2) upcoming COVID-19 testing events that are at no cost to the public.
The dates, times, and locations are as follows:
Monday, December 14, 2020: 11am-3pm at West New Bern Recreation Center, 1225 Pinetree Drive
Wednesday, December 16, 2020: 11am-3pm at Henderson Park, 901 Chapman Street
Thanks to state and federal funding there is no cost to have a COVID-19 test. The North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services (NCDHHS) has partnered with the North Carolina Community Health Center Association to provide COVID-19 testing in communities where it is most needed. Greene County Health Care, Inc. (GCHC) is a member of the NC Community Health Center Association and they will facilitate and administer the COVID tests at all three New Bern sites.
GCHC testing technicians will use polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, test kits to swab nasal passages. Participants will not need to get out of their cars; however, walk-up testing is also available for pedestrians. PCR tests detect the presence of the virus's genetic material and are known to be highly accurate for positive cases. GCHC will secure collection devices and coordinate with a lab for testing. It could take several days up to a week to receive results.
Participants who test positive for COVID-19 will be contacted by the Craven County Health Department and given further instructions. People should be sure to answer the call when the health department’s COVID-19 team reaches out. They will get a phone call from either “Craven County Offices” on their Caller ID or the phone number (844)628-7223. Participants who test negative will be contacted by Greene County Health Care, Inc.
The NC Department of Health & Human Services strongly advises North Carolinians to stay safe and get tested for COVID-19, especially with the holiday season upon us and the many situations in which we may be around other people, such as holiday gatherings, shopping, travel, etc. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, were exposed to someone with COVID-19, or you suspect you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you should stay home and avoid others (including those in your household) until you receive your test results. North Carolinians are reminded to follow the three W’s to reduce COVID exposure and transmission: Wear a mask; Wait 6 feet apart and avoid close contact; and Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
Masks are mandatory at all testing events. There will be masks available on site. Pedestrians are reminded to remain at least 6 feet apart while waiting in line.
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Attention Parents of K, 7th & 12 Grade and Any Child New to NC Schools
Immunization & School Health Assessments
The requirements to submit a certification of immunization and a school health assessment were reinstated on December 1, 2020. The 30-day grace period will end December 30, 2020, or 30 calendar days from the child’s first date of attendance, whichever is later, after which point a student will have to be excluded from in-person and remote learning until compliant with requirements.
While it is critically important that children are vaccinated and heath care settings are low risk, this extension was made due to ongoing concerns and reports that students and families are experiencing continued barriers to completing immunization and school health assessment requirements as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new orders issued provide additional time for families. This extension grants all of us the pressing opportunity to continue our work together to get children and adolescents caught up on vaccinations and well-child checks as soon as possible.
Whether children attend school in-person or by remote learning, they are required by state law to be immunized based on their age for certain vaccinations as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More information on North Carolina’s requirements for vaccines can be found on the NCDHHS website.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school nurse at your child's school as soon as possible.
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Virtual Town Hall for Spanish-Speaking Families/Caregivers
Language: Spanish
Date: Saturday, December 12, 2020
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. ET
The NCPTA Gates Team is pleased to invite you to join us for our virtual town hall for Spanish-speaking families/caregivers entitled: Virtual Learning during a Pandemic: Are we Surviving or Thriving? - Aprendizaje Virtual Durante Una Pandemia: Estamos Sobreviviendo o Progresando?
During the event, we will take a closer look at how effective our State has been in response to administering virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will be joined by a panel of parents, school, district, and state representatives, who will share their experiences and feedback on how our State has responded to virtual learning in the midst of the pandemic.
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Hold a Dream in Your Hands!
-Cheri Brody, Tucker Creek Middle Media Coordinator
Award-winning author, Neil Gaiman, says that “A book is a dream that you hold in your hand.” Students in Craven County schools are once again getting the opportunity to choose a book and embrace their dreams as library media centers reopen around the district. Libraries, along with schools, were forced to close their doors to students last spring. Students had to rely on ebooks and digital resources while learning from home. Throughout the spring when books were unable to be checked out, many media coordinators took literary matters into their own hands. Using any means possible to keep their students engaged in reading, these defenders of books and stories recorded their own storytimes and read alouds, read by Zoom, and compiled list after list of available online books and resources.
Now that students are back in the buildings, Craven County Schools Media Coordinators are willing and able to safely put actual books into students' hands. Some librarians have students request books from the library catalog and deliver them to classrooms. Others have “mini-libraries on wheels” they push from class to class, offering students the chance to browse individually. Still, others pull collections of high-interest titles and check them out by the basketful to the classroom teachers, so students can choose a book on their own. At other schools, media coordinators welcome browsing in the library, with sanitizing stations and social distancing measures in place. While the procedures look different at all the school libraries, one thing is the same. The smiles on students' faces when they get the book that they have been waiting to read is worth all the efforts for safety to be put in place.
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USDA Forest Service Southern Region Supports Youth Education with Fish Art Contest
Wildlife Forever is proud to recognize the USDA Forest Service, Southern Region for their support of the 2021 Fish Art Contest. By teaching youth the Art of Conservation®, the national partnership reaches thousands of young people each year and is used by educators as an introduction to outdoor recreation.
The award-winning Art of Conservation Fish Art Contest connects young people to fish, fishing, and aquatic conservation through art, writing, and science. To enter, contestants create an original illustration of any species from the Official Fish List and a one-page writing entry. Entries are due postmarked by March 31st each year. For details on contest rules, entry forms, and to view past winners, visit www.FishArt.org.
Amy Commens-Carson, Regional Fisheries Program Manager at the USDA Forest Service Southern Region, said, "The Fish Art Contest is an exciting and innovative program that allows young people to express connections to the outdoors through their own creativity. The Southern Region is proud to help build the next generation of conservation stewards across the country with the Fish Art Contest."
"The Art of Conservation Fish Art Contest eliminates many traditional barriers and provides an all-inclusive platform for youth education. The USDA Forest Service is a leader in supporting conservation initiatives and building stewardship. I am grateful for their vision and support. Investing in youth is the key to our future," said President and CEO of Wildlife Forever, Pat Conzemius.
The 2021 State-Fish Art Contest is now open and accepting entries. The deadline to enter is March 31st, 2021 so start creating today! Details available at www.FishArt.org
About the Fish Art Contest: The award-winning Wildlife Forever Fish Art™ Contest, with support from Title Sponsor Bass Pro Shops, the USDA Forest Service and Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, brings children, art and aquatic conservation together! The annual contest reaches thousands of youth each year. New distance learning resources allow students to participate from home or classroom and complement a wide array of educational programming. To enter, young artists create an original illustration of any fish from the Official Fish list and written words detailing its habitat, and efforts to conserve it. Entries are categorized in four grade levels: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Educators nationwide utilize Fish On!, the full-color Fish Art Lesson Plan, integrating the disciplines of science and art. Entries are due postmarked or emailed by March 31st each year. www.fishart.org.
About Wildlife Forever: Our mission is to conserve America's wildlife heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat and management of fish and wildlife. Wildlife Forever is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to investing resources on the ground. Recent audits reveal that 94% of every dollar supports our award-winning conservation programs. Please, Join Today and learn more about the Fish Art Contest®, Clean Drain Dry Initiative™ and Prairie City USA® at www.WildlifeForever.org.
About the USDA Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service is a multi-use agency that manages and protects 154 national forests and 20 grasslands in 43 states and Puerto Rico. The agency's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Learn more about the Forest Service fisheries program at: https://www.fs.fed.us/science-technology/fish-wildlife-plants/fisheries-program
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School Lunch Menu
Click here to access the daily breakfast and lunch menu for the month of November. To change the school simply click on the dropdown menat the top. You can also access the menu for the 3 day packaging if you would like to pick up meals or have your child bring them home if they are participating in face-to-face instruction.
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Holiday Cards for Our Service Members Drive
NC Superintendent Mark Johnson Invites Educators, Students, and Others to Send Holiday Cards to Service Members
State Superintendent Mark Johnson wants the help of students and other North Carolinians to show our appreciation for the servicemen and servicewomen who will be away from home this holiday season with his second annual holiday card drive.
“This year we want to celebrate and honor all of the servicemen and servicewomen who will be spending the upcoming holidays away from home and their families. They protect and serve our country, but they will miss many of the things that make the holidays special,” said Superintendent Johnson. “We are proud that North Carolina is one of the top states for our servicemen and servicewomen. These thoughtful and kind messages mean so much to our heroes especially during this very challenging year.”
Johnson is asking students, teachers and others to write holiday notes to those men and women who will not be home this year.
“Everyone can participate. Whether you make this a family project, or a card drive at school, church or with a civic organization, we are calling on North Carolinians to encourage children and adults to send greetings and well wishes,” said Johnson. “Let’s make sure our service members know that we are all thinking of them and that we appreciate their service to our country.”
A copy of streamlined instructions to get holiday cards to members of our armed forces who will be away from home this holiday season can be found here.
Holiday cards can be sent in a box or envelope via USPS, FedEx, or UPS to:
Letters to Troops
4501 New Bern Ave
Suite 130 #116
Raleigh, NC 27610
This is the second year for Superintendent Johnson’s holiday card drive. Last year more than 51,000 cards and letters were received from North Carolina residents.
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