Welcome to the city of St Joseph's weekly digital newsletter. City Link is your source for timely and relevant information from your local government. |
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Mayor's Blood Drive
Donate blood and become a hero for patients in need. The city and American Red Cross are partnering to encourage healthy individuals to donate blood during this critical time. The need for blood remains constant and the community can support patients in need by rolling-up a sleeve and donating blood. Mayor McMurray is hosting the blood drive and encouraging everyone to consider donating. “Our community is facing challenging times,” stated McMurray. “Don’t let a shortage of blood be one of those challenges. I ask those that can, to please donate blood.”
The community is invited to donate blood on August 13, from 10am-4pm at the Civic Arena at 100 North 4th Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501. Make your appointment by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: MAYORBloodDrive to schedule an appointment. You can also visit https://rcblood.org/2EDAGhn.
All presenting donors will receive a ticket to Worlds of Fun (valid through September 2021) OR a coupon for a free beverage at River Bluff Brewery (ages 21 and older) while supplies last. For those who also complete a successful donation, you will receive a free COVID-19 antibody test.
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Storm Debris Clean Up
Throughout June and July, several storms swept across the city of St. Joseph causing destruction to the trees and landscaping. The St. Joseph Parks, Recreation and Civic Facilities Department crews have been working diligently cleaning along the Parkway, Ashland, Fairview Golf Course, Lover’s Lane, Lilac Hill and at all of the city parks including Krug and Hyde.
To report a fallen tree, branches, or hanging limbs along the Parkway or in a city park, please call the parks administration office at 271-5501.
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Making the Choice Between In-Person or Virtual
Many parents, caregivers and guardians face new and difficult choices about how their child(ren) will return to school in the fall, such as deciding between in-person and virtual learning. When making decisions about school for your family, there are many things to think about beyond academics, such as access to school meal programs, social services, extended day childcare, extra-curricular activities, social-emotional support from peers and educators, and transportation. Parents, guardians and caregivers will be thinking about numerous factors, such as individual preferences, health concerns, work situations and school considerations.
Many schools are offering parents and guardians a choice between in-person and virtual modes of instruction. As you are making decisions about your child(ren) returning to school, it is important to consider the full spectrum of risks involved in both in-person and virtual learning options.
Parents, guardians and caregivers should weigh the relative health risks of COVID-19 transmission from in-personal instruction against the educational, social-behavioral, and emotional risks of providing no in-person instruction when deciding between these two options. For example, in-person instruction may offer easier access to school services, improved educational efficacy, more opportunities for social interaction and return to work for some parents and caregivers. However, it may also have a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure for your child than virtual instruction.
Families will differ in their choice of instructional formats based on whether the student or members of the household are at increased risk of severe illness, the student’s academic needs, the level of COVID-19 spread in the community, available school transportation options, school ability to execute recommended guidelines, the student’s social-emotional wellbeing, comfort and familiarity with the school’s reopening plans, and the family’s situation and needs. The CDC's Decision-Making Tool for Parents and Guardians is designed to help weigh the risks and benefits of available educational options to help you make decisions about sending your child back to school.
Make sure you are aware of your school's deadline on making this important decision for your child(ren).
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Take a Trip to Arendelle
Things are going to get a little bit colder at the Bode Ice Arena as the St. Joseph Figure Skating Club presents “Frozen the Fairytale.” Performances are scheduled for Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15 at 6:30pm. The club traditionally performs a spring show in May, but the performance was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the local skaters were determined the show must go on.
The show will feature around 25 members of the figure skating club and the Bode Learn to Skate program under the direction of coach Debbie Cole. She has directed the 11 previous spring shows, including 2019’s “Alice Through the Looking Glass.” This show will feature all the familiar characters with several of the popular songs from the movie as well as some from the musical stage performance.
Various safety and social-distancing measures will be followed during the performances. Those 18 and older will be required to wear masks inside the arena, temperatures will be taken when entering the building, specific doors will be used for entering and exiting and groups will be asked to keep six feet of space between others. Sanitation measures also will be in place to keep everyone safe. Those with a fever or who are experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19 are asked to stay at home.
Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door on the days of the performances. Children 12 and under are free with an adult admission.
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Open Burning Extended
During a Special Council Meeting on August 5, council extended open burning from now through Sunday, August 16, between the hours of 8am-6pm. Only dry yard waste such as leaves, brush and logs grown on the residential property may be burned. The storm debris drop-off sites have closed. For the guidelines and restrictions of open burning, visit http://bit.ly/2oLRzP9.
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