CCS Staff In the Know
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.
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System

Beginning the week of January 11th, 2021 we will conduct training for the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SSARS) for all secondary schools. This program, which fulfills the mandate requirement under 115C-105.51 of NC Law, teaches students, teachers, and administrators how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and Say Something to a trusted adult OR use its anonymous reporting system.
This is a very important tool for our students to have at their disposal, especially now with signs of heightened stress and feelings of isolation for our children. The training will all be done virtually. Initially we began to launch in March of 2019; unforeseen circumstances with the Covid-19 pandemic led to delaying the full system launch.  
Over the next few weeks we will send out additional information in regard to this training. Safety coordinators have updated their teams in the system, and everything is ready for training to begin.  

Attached is a short (1:59) video that shows a good overview of the reporting system; please take a few minutes to watch and reacquaint yourself with the reporting system.  

Also attached is a list of warning signs put out by Sandy Hook Promise.  
Don't lose your files!
Don't forget to routinely back up your files. Students and staff have access to the Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive cloud storage services. Once your files are saved there, they can be accessed from anywhere. (Remind your students as well...especially before the holiday break.)
Microsoft Teams Voice:
Staff members also have access to Microsoft Teams Voice... which means that you can use your Microsoft Teams application to send and receive telephone calls without using your real phone number. Tech Services can help you set this up if you need assistance.

Help keep your devices up to date:
The latest version of the iOS operating system is 14.2 (for iPads). 
Big Sur is the new operating system for Macs - it is an extremely large program and takes some time to install. Your device will need nearly 12 GB of available space to run the update. 
Virtual Speaker Series: Innovation & Biotechnology
This announcement is being sent out on behalf of Amanda Marvelle. If you have questions please contact Amanda at email: amanda.marvelle@biogen.com or rtpcommunitylab@biogen.com. 
 
Biogen and MIT will be hosting a series of virtual events targeted to middle and high school students around innovation and biotechnology. Please see below for the information and registration links. 
 
Feel free to share this with your students, other teachers, or anyone else who may be interested in learning more about biotechnology and North Carolina’s largest biotech company, Biogen. These events are all FREE and open to everyone. 
 
Thank you for your dedication to your students and our community! We hope that you and your students enjoy this series. 
 
Biogen and the Lemelson-MIT group are proud to introduce the BIOGEN COMMUNITY LAB: SPEAKER SERIES THE THIRD WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH 
 
Please join us on the third Wednesday of each month from 4pm – 5pm EST as we present a brand new, free virtual speaker series! Each session will host a different professional within the biotechnology community to discuss topics such as inventions, innovation and much more. 
December 16th4PM to 5PM EST The Next Frontier in Biomarkers, Imaging & Neuroscience! 
Biogen’s Vice President & Head, Biomarkers Center of Excellence, John Beaver
Environmental Education Awards for K-12
Students & Teachers 

This announcement is being sent on behalf of Melissa Anley-Mills, if you have any questions please contact Melissa at email: Anley-Mills.Melissa@epa.gov. or piaee@epa.gov 
 
Environmental Education Awards for K-12 Students and Teachers 
Know a K-12 student who is setting an environmental stewardship example for their community? Encourage them to apply for our President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA). Know a K-12 teacher using environmental education to set an example for their students and inspire their learning? Encourage them to apply for our Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE). Applications for both awards programs are due no later than February 19, 2021. 
 
The President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) recognizes young people across the U.S. for protecting our nation’s air, water, land, and ecology. PEYA recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects developed by young individuals (K-12), school groups, summer camps, and other youth organizations to promote environmental stewardship. Up to two awards—one for Grades K-5 and one for Grades 6-12—will be selected from each of EPA’s 10 regions for national recognition. The winning projects will be highlighted on EPA’s website. All student projects must be sponsored by at least one adult over the age of 21. And, if the sponsor is not a teacher, the project must have a teacher as a co-sponsor. The application and eligibility information are available on EPA’s PEYA page. Link for application: https://www.epa.gov/education/presidents-environmental-youth-award#apply 
  
The Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE) recognizes outstanding K-12 grade educators who integrate environmental, place-based experiential learning into school curricula and school facility management across the country. The White House Council on Environmental Quality, in partnership with EPA, administers the PIAEE awards program. Teacher awardees will receive a presidential plaque and an award of up to $2,500 to be used to further professional development in environmental education. The teacher’s local education agency will also receive an award of up to $2,500 to fund environmental educational activities and programs. Winners will be highlighted on EPA’s website. The application and eligibility information are available on EPA’s PIAEE page. Link for application: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-10/documents/2021_piaee_application_form.pdf 
Check out past winners: Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators 
Free Professional Development with NC State and
 Project Food, Land, and People 

Greetings, NC educators! 
NC State is teaming up with Project Food, Land, & People to offer a fully virtual, free professional development workshop in January. We invite 4-6th grade teachers to join us! 
  
The workshop will be held in 4 two hour sessions: January 4, 6, 11, and 13 from 3-5 pm. Please see the flyer (Attention 4th-6th Grade Teachers! .pdf) and click here to sign up for the workshop. After completing the workshop, educators will receive 1.0 CEUs. Any questions can be answered by Caitlin Reilly cereill3@ncsu.edu. 
  
Teachers can expect an interactive experience while logged in to Zoom during these times, with about two additional hours of time spent on homework throughout the session at your own pace.  
  
Teachers will be trained on Project Food, Land & People, focusing on ways to bring hands-on lessons to your students in online or in-person formats. Time with local NC farmers will be featured during the workshop. These farmers will also host virtual field trips for your students after you complete the training.   
  
This project is also part of a research project funded through the USDA and led by NC State. Participating teachers will be encouraged, but not required, to participate. Participation involves administering online surveys to students and sending survey links to parents. 
  
Look forward to seeing you in January! 
Caitlin Reilly & Kathryn Stevenson 
Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management | NC State University 
  
Find out more about Food, Land & People (FLP) 
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  
EC Corner

Please mark your calendars for upcoming training sessions. Additional information will be provided.
A Meal Update from School Nutrition

Staff, please be sure to share this information with your students and parents so they are aware of this update and the new process for meal pickup starting in 2021.
This week's Families in the Know was distributed on Friday, December 11th. To view this publication click here.
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