October 17, 2021
Craven County Schools Revises Process for Contact Tracing and Quarantining
Dear Families and Staff:
Since the return to school for the 2021-2022 school year, Craven County Schools School Nurses have been responsible for caring for students and staff experiencing COVID. They have been assisting and providing guidance when an individual has tested positive and have helped those who have experienced symptoms. Through all of this, many parents and staff members have had additional questions. On top of their day-to-day responsibilities, the nurses have also taken on the huge task of contact tracing when someone tests positive. This has been an overwhelming process with many obstacles along the way.
The statutory authority of managing contact tracing and quarantining is that of the Craven County Health Department. Craven County Schools has, to the best of their ability, been assisting the Health Department with contact tracing; however, to help our school nurses focus on caring for their students’ needs beginning Monday, October 18th, the Craven County Health Department will manage the duties of contact tracing at twenty-six of our schools.
Since your school will be participating in this new process the health department contact tracer will follow all CDC protocols to ensure a seamless transition for our families and staff. All individuals who test positive for COVID that are reported to the school system will be followed up with by the Craven County Health Department to identify close contacts and determine next steps for those that will need to quarantine. The Craven County Health Department will be informed of all positives so even if this information is not communicated to the school, the contact tracer will be contacting the family directly.
As required by law, school nurses, administrators and school staff will continue to address positive, presumptive and/or confirmed cases of COVID-19. All students and staff who have been quarantined by Craven County Schools as of October 1st will continue to follow the existing guidelines that have been provided.
If a student or staff member has the following symptoms: fever or chills, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, headache, they should stay home, stay away from others, and call their health care provider. Our school nurses will continue to assist any individual who are experiencing symptoms, advise about testing, and keep them on track to get back to school and work in the safest, most timely manner.
We are extremely thankful for our partnership with the Craven County Health Department! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your school nurse and/or school principal.
Sincerely,
Amy Heflin
District Lead Nurse
|
|
Creating an At-Home Learning Environment - Rethink Education Parent Webinars
Rethink Education, an initiative of NCDPI, is launching a new, free webinar series that invites parents and guardians to learn more about how to support their child’s learning, no matter where it takes place. The first webinar, “Creating an At-Home Learning Environment,” provides families with practical recommendations for how to create spaces at home that are great for learning — available in both English and Spanish.
Creating an At-Home Learning Environment
Speaker: Amber Garvey
Crear un Ambiente de Aprendizaje en Casa
Speaker: Rachel Wright Junio
|
|
FAFSA Day Drive-In Event: One-on-One FAFSA Help
College and university campuses across the state are hosting FAFSA Day drive-in events on October 23rd!
North Carolina’s Drive-In FAFSA Day aims to provide support for students completing FAFSA. Any student who needs FAFSA assistance is welcome. Students should bring a charged laptop or mobile device to work on their application.
Find locations near you and learn more here.
College Application Week: October 18-22
College Application Week, part of CFNC's Countdown to College, is October 18-22, 2021! During College Application Week, many North Carolina colleges and universities waive application fees.
NC Countdown to College's initiative is to increase the number of high school seniors who pursue postsecondary education by assisting them with the college admissions process (residency, FAFSA, and applications) and ensuring that each participating student submits at least one admissions application.
Please contact your high school counselor for details and assistance.
|
|
MOLD-EN OUR YOUTH FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE INC, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to “Proclaim the importance for continued education to high school students, provide resources, and financial assistance.”
The organization is hosting its first annual “I am Black History: PIONEERS Essay Contest. Students in grades 10-12 will have the opportunity to win up to $250.00 and learn about African Americans that made a momentous impact in history. Additionally, the website, moldenouryouth.com provides information regarding numerous scholarship opportunities. Winners of these scholarships could apply prize money towards their post-secondary education.
|
|
Opportunity for Student Enrichment from
Western Carolina University
Announcing: Whee CreATe
ARE YOU LOOKING TO INSPIRE CREATIVE AND CRITICAL THINKING and PROVIDE ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR STUDENTS?
A free virtual program where children and youth from ages 6-18 can use their creativity to solve problems, tackle challenges, and create works of art. Check it out here: https://wheecreate.wcu.edu
Every month, beginning October 1, 2021 and running through March 2022, two challenges will be posted. Participants are welcome to complete one or both of the challenges and each entry will receive feedback and comments from other participants, as well as university faculty, teachers, etc.
At the completion of the program (April 2022) all participants will receive a personalized certificate of completion, and prizes will be awarded in the following categories:
o Most creative invention (in 3 age groups)
o Most creative artistic expression (spoken, performance, visual) (in 3 age groups)
o Overall creativity (to compete in this category, participants must have posted for at least four different challenges.)
o Most creative use of materials found at home
If you have questions about WHEE CreATe, contact Lisa Bloom (bloom@wcu.edu) & Kristy Doss (kkdoss@wcu.edu).
|
|
Follow us for the latest:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
