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A newsletter for the famlies and friends of Westchester Country Day School
Citation preview
1
March - 2012
In this issue:
From the Head of School – pg. 2
Upcoming Events – pg. 4
Headlines – pg. 5
Arts – pg. 10
Athletics – pg. 12
WAPA Notes and News – pg. 14
For the College Bound – pg. 15
Healthful Hints – pg. 17
Links
School Calendars
Scenes from School
2
From the Head of School
Dear Westchester Families and Friends,
Recently I received a letter from a group of parents whose boys played
for the Warriors, a seven- and eight-year-old basketball team at the
Hartley Drive YMCA, and I can‘t resist sharing it with all of you.
The Warriors were coached this winter by four members of the
Westchester family: seniors Jonathan DiIanni and George Freiberger,
junior Charlie Branson, and alumnus Will DiIanni (‘10). All four are
talented athletes in their own right: Will plays college golf, Charlie is a
member of Westchester‘s varsity swim team, and both Jonathan and
George have signed to play varsity sports at Division I NCAA schools for
next year. As proud as I know we all are of our students and the ways in
which they represent Westchester Country Day School in the
community, we should all celebrate the generosity, depth of character, and willingness to
serve that these four young men have displayed.
Here is the text of the letter, signed by all of the parents of the boys on the team:
Dear Cobb Atkinson,
There are four students under your leadership that have greatly impacted our
community. In a society that seems to be “all about me,” four young men have
volunteered to give back. George Freiberger, Will and Jonathan DiIanni, and
Charlie Branson have coached a 7 and 8 year old basketball team at the
Hartley YMCA. After talking with them we learned that they are all students at
Westchester Country Day School. They have represented your school well.
Along with learning how to play basketball, the boys have absorbed many other
lessons. Using encouraging words, incentives, and leading by example, our
coaches taught respect for authority, being on time, looking your best, and
being prepared. Our children had fun and performed well as a team because
of the coaching environment. Often our schools display championship trophies
for athletics. I have included a picture of our undefeated Warrior team whose
outstanding performance is due to the character of the coaches who inspired
them. It is a testimony of excellent parenting, education, and direction that is
being passed from one generation to the next. Thank you for your part in
developing these young men.
Thankfully,
The Warrior Team Parents
Cobb Atkinson Photo by Photo Innovations
3
When I asked a couple of these students to share with me a sense of how they went about
coaching the team, they described an approach to coaching a youth sports team that is, in a
word, extraordinary. The team motto was "E.L.E." everyone loves everyone, and they recited it
as a team again and again. As coaches, they worked to make each player feel special and
to build strong, trusting relationships both among the members of the team and between the
team and the coaching staff. They respected and recognized outstanding attitudes,
encouraged individual talents, and had players clap for each other after each repetition of
drills. In keeping with the YMCA‘s faith-based mission, they led a prayer before practice and
games and encouraged players to lead the team and other teams in prayer. Team members
were taught to use one another‘s names when making passes and calling plays, and players
brought their teammates to a higher level during team huddles during which each player had
to say something special about each one of his teammates. Perhaps most importantly, the
boys were taught that teamwork and character are more important than technique and
scoring, and this led the Warriors to an undefeated season.
As I listened to the students‘ description of the season, the team, and their coaching, I heard a
wonderful articulation of all that we strive to teach our student-athletes here at Westchester.
We should all be encouraged not only by what they have learned about sportsmanship,
integrity, teamwork, and community, but also by the wonderfully generous spirit that they
have shown in stepping out into the community and sharing these lessons with others.
At the end of the day, this is what being a Wildcat is all about.
Cobb Atkinson
Head of School
4
News of Note - Upcoming Events
Blood Drive
Friday, March 2, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Click here to sign up to donate blood or if you are
interested in volunteering.
Book Fair
Monday, March 12 – Thursday, March 15
We need volunteers to help break down the fair on Thursday, March 15th at 3:00. Contact Mrs.
Jones if you would like to help.
PAWS Night
Thursday, March 15
Lower School Conferences
Friday, March 23 – No school for Lower School students
Teachers’ Professional Day
Monday, March 26 – No school for students, Grades K-12
Big Cat/Lil’ Cat Golf Tournament
Monday, March 26, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Emerywood Golf Course
Featuring: A mini-tournament, Big Cats paired with Lil‘ Cats, skills challenge, lunch, awards,
prizes, and tons of fun! Click here to sign up today!
Middle School Student-Led Conferences
March 27, 5:00 p.m.
March Parent Forum: Bullying in Our Middle School – Want to Know More???
Have you ever asked yourself this question when you hear something about bullying on the
radio or on the television? Have you ever asked your student this question? Has your student
ever talked to you about being the victim of bullying or about knowing someone who is being
bullied? This past fall Mrs. Singer administered a survey to all of our Middle School students and
103 out of 107 students completed the survey. We will be sharing the results of this survey with
all Middle School parents during this forum and will discuss bullying in our Middle School. We
hope that you will join us to hear and discuss the data that was discovered and learn what we
can do as parents to help our children if they find themselves in a bullying situation. This Parent
Forum will be Thursday, March 29th at 7:00 pm in the library. Hope you will join us!
If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Heather Singer, our Middle and Upper School
Counselor by email at [email protected] or by phone 822-4085.
5
News of Note - Headlines
Middle School Mathletes Count
Middle School students have taken part in two math competitions so far this year. Twenty
students were selected to take the AMC-8 (American Mathematics Competition) during
school on Tuesday, November 15. This national test is designed for students in grades 8 and
below. Students have 40 minutes to complete 25 multiple choice questions. Students selected
were as follows:
6th graders – Alex Evans, Luke Evans, Govind Harish, Ambar Khawaja, and Edward Lindner.
7th graders – Adam Chinnasami, Sophia Danch, Eliza Fisher, Ryota Goto, Laney Henley, Abbi
Khan, Rachael Ormond, and Stephanie Thomas.
8th graders – Mike Bauman, Tommy Boggis, Miranda Bryson, Jack Crouse, Josh Evans, Carter
Gay, and Paige Hetley.
Within our school Ryota Goto placed first. Carter Gay, Mike Bauman, and Jack Crouse tied for
second. Edward Lindner placed third. Honor roll distinction, which is the top 5% nationally, was
awarded to Ryota, Carter, Mike, and Jack. Achievement roll status is awarded to students in
grades 6 and below who score 15 or above. Edward Lindner was recognized as an
achievement roll recipient.
Middle School Mathletes® from area
schools competed in a local contest of
the national MATHCOUNTS® program on
February 4 in Greensboro at North
Carolina A&T State University. North
Piedmont Chapter of Professional
Engineers of NC organized the
competition.
MATHCOUNTS is a national program
designed to improve math skills among
U.S. students. The program focuses on
middle school students, who are at a
crucial stage in developing and
sustaining math interest and ability. Students who do not begin developing strong problem-
solving, logical thinking and analytical abilities in middle school will face an uphill battle later in
life if they wish to pursue a medical, scientific, mathematical, engineering, or technical career.
A total of thirteen schools and ninety-one students competed. Students competing as a team
for Westchester were: Mike Bauman, Tommy Boggis, Jack Crouse, and Ryota Goto. Individual
6
competitors included Miranda Bryson, Adam Chinnasami, Govind Harish, and Paige Hetley.
Westchester‘s team came in 4th, and Jack Crouse placed 11th individually. Our favorite time of
the day was celebrating our victory at Steak and Shake on the way home.
Seventh Grader’s Essay Receives Recognition
Seventh grader Eliza Fisher was awarded a prize for her
essay celebrating young Americans standing up to take a
stand against England 200 years ago during the war of
1812. At left, she is reading her award-winning essay to the
High Point Chapter of the DAR.
Frizz “n” T’s March Science Camp
After-school Science Camp for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders will
take place from 3:15 – 4:30 p.m. on March 6, 8, 13, and 15.
Camp includes ―hands on‖ experiments, snacks, computer
demos and a science movie. Each session is different. The
cost is $20 per session. Please make checks payable to
WCDS. For questions contact
Mr. B. Receives 40 Leaders Under Forty Award
Assistant Head of School and Head of Upper
School Gardner Barrier was recognized by the
Triad Business Journal as one of the area‘s ―40
Leaders Under Forty.‖ The publication sought
nominations for young leaders who stand out not
only in their professions but also in their passion for
making their communities better places to live. At
right are Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Crane, Mr. Barrier, and
Mr. Shigo at the awards ceremony on February
16.
Summer Camp Dates Announced!
Visit the Summer Programming page on our website or pick up a camp book in the Front
Office and sign up for Wildcats Summer 2012 today! Exciting extras this year include
transportation, early drop-off and late pick-up, and camp care.
7
Mock Trial Team Competes
Pictured at left is our Mock Trial team at
the regional competition at Guilford
County Courthouse in High Point on
February 4. Will Davis won "Best
Attorney" in Round II. At right is our
outside counsel John Bryson, parent of
two Wildcats and a Westchester Board
member.
International Day Gives Perspective on Other Cultures
The Cats‘ Den came to life on February 15
when students, parents, and faculty
members set up booths from different
countries around the world to showcase
their cultures during the school‘s
International Day. The day was a unique
opportunity for our community to witness
all the diverse cultures that make up our
special school. The cafeteria got into the
spirit as well with Lunch Around the World
the week of February 13, featuring foods
from the home countries of Westchester‘s
seven exchange students. Mrs. Russell‘s
computer class created video interviews
with each of our exchange students which
were shown on the cafetorium screens
during lunch each day, and Mrs. English provided music from the home countries of the
students as well.
Fourth Graders “Become” Figures from the Past
Since returning from winter break in early January, the fourth grade students worked diligently
to prepare for the unveiling of the Interactive Wax Museum on Friday, February 10. The
Interactive Wax Museum was a culminating event in a study of biographies. One of the first
steps in the biography project was to choose a deceased person of interest to research. After
reading a biography and organizing notes about the person‘s lifetime, students wrote a
biographical report and speech.
View more photos on the Scenes from School link on our
website!
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On Friday, February 10, the Lower School
hallways were bustling with costumed
characters from all parts of history as the
students prepared to become ―statues‖
in the Finch Center. Some of the
characters included Steve Jobs, Pablo
Picasso, Cleopatra, Nathanael Greene,
Daniel Boone, Jim Henson, Orville Wright,
Helen Keller, Queen Elizabeth I, Dr. Seuss,
and Rosa Parks. Upon arriving in the
Finch Center, the students quickly took
their places and waited for someone to
come push their ―button.‖ Once pressed,
the button made the character come to
life, and the student shared the
character‘s brief story of his/her life. Parents, grandparents, faculty, and children of all ages
who visited the Interactive Wax Museum left with new knowledge about famous people
throughout history.
The best part of this entire experience was seeing the students begin to take ownership of their
learning. Throughout the month, students began to make connections between the people
they were researching. Some students were even able to make personal connections to the
struggles or successes of the people they researched. The students will always remember this
experience and the interesting facts they learned. Most of all, students learned that through
hard work and perseverance you can accomplish amazing things!
Welcome New Wildcat
Please welcome our newest Wildcat
11th Grade
Luke Puckett
Parents – Steve and Lori Puckett
NHS Process Nears
It is never too early in the school year for students to consider what their academic record
looks like and how important membership in the National Honor Society is. At the end of the
3rd Quarter, sophomores and nonmember juniors who meet the NHS scholarship requirement
(3.5 cumulative and weighted GPA) will be invited to be considered as candidates for
membership in the NHS. Those students who are invited to be considered for NHS membership
will submit candidate portfolios which demonstrate their desire and eligibility for membership.
When that time comes, portfolio materials and instructions will be posted on Cheryl
Cunningham‘s website, and she will be happy to meet with candidates to help them prepare
View more photos on the Scenes from School link on our
website!
9
their portfolios in advance of their submission deadline. Students usually have two weeks,
including two weekends, to prepare their portfolios. Once submitted, the portfolios are
reviewed by a Faculty Selection Committee, which will select the members to be inducted in
May 2012.
Selection to NHS is a privilege, not a right. Students should understand that meeting the GPA
requirement and completing the portfolio on time do not guarantee selection into NHS. Not all
candidates are selected for membership, although they often will have more than one
opportunity to be considered. Membership is granted by the Faculty Selection Committee
only to those students who have met all NHS standards articulated in the national constitution.
These standards include not only the demonstration of outstanding performance in scholarship
but also in leadership, service, and character, all of which are explained thoroughly in the
WCDS Handbook.
10
Fine Arts News
Fine Arts Notes
We will be well-versed in Shakespeare this month. On March 3, junior Julia Ormond,
accompanied by Mrs. Noyes, will be competing at UNCG in the regionals of the English-
Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition. There she will be performing both a
Shakespearean sonnet and a monologue she chose from Romeo and Juliet.
The Middle and Upper School students will experience the NC Shakespeare Company‘s
Shakespeare to Go on March 5. These shortened, fast-paced productions of A Midsummer’s
Night Dream for Middle School and Macbeth for Upper School engage the students in
interactive ways that are both entertaining and instructive.
This month our students will also have two opportunities to enter the magical world of opera.
On the 28th, Upper School music students will be attending a full production of Don Giovanni
produced by the UNCG Opera Theatre, and on March 29 the Lower School students will enjoy
Piedmont Opera‘s Three Little Pigs here at Westchester.
Many thanks go to both WAPA and the Friends of the Fine Arts for helping to bring these
performances to the Westchester campus.
Please note that our annual Celebration of the Arts has been moved from March 17 to
Sunday, April 15 at 5:00. You won‘t want to miss this excellent evening of great food and
entertainment.
Students Sing in All-State Chorus
Senior T. J. Baber and sophomore Jessica Barker represented WCDS in the All-State Chorus on
January 27 and 28. T. J. was part of the 11th-12th grade choir, and Jessica was part of the 9th-
10th grade choir. Each choir was comprised of about 300 singers from all over the state. They
participated in several grueling rehearsals and put on a great concert to a packed house at
the auditorium at the Greensboro Coliseum.
11
Coming to Our Stage May 11, 12, and 13: Disney's “The Jungle Book KIDS”
Music by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman and Terry Gilkyson
Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman and Terry Gilkyson
Additional lyrics by Marcy Heisler
Book adapted by Marcy Heisler
Music adapted by Bryan Louiselle
Music arranged by Bryan Louiselle
The jungle is jumpin‘ with jazz in this exciting Disney classic! Join Mowgli, Baloo, King Louie, and
the gang as they swing their way through madcap adventures and thwart the ferocious tiger,
Shere Khan. Specially adapted from the beloved film, this musical includes all your favorite
Disney tunes, like ―The Bare Necessities‖ and ―I Wan‘na Be Like You.‖ With colorful characters
and that toe-tapping jungle rhythm, Disney's ―The Jungle Book KIDS‖ is sure to be a crowd-
pleaser for audiences of all ages.
Auditions: “Disney's The Jungle Book KIDS”
Students in grades K-8 are encouraged to audition on Monday, March 12, or Tuesday, March
13, in the MS/US music room from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. Students will be taught a song from the
show and then each will be asked to sing it as part of his/her audition. Students interested in a
speaking role will be asked to read from the script. All main characters will rehearse
approximately three times per week. Those who are part of the chorus will rehearse one to two
times a week. Rehearsals will begin the week of March 19. A complete rehearsal schedule will
be posted the week before auditions.
Main Character Breakdown
Mowgli – the man cub
Bagheera – the panther
Baloo – the bear
Coconut Tree/Shanti – village girl
Colonel Hathi – leader of the elephants
Kaa – the snake
King Louie – king of the monkeys
Shere Khan – the tiger
Chorus Roles
Elephant Troop including a baby elephant
Kaa‘s five coils
Monkeys including an old monkey
Voices of Shanti‘s family – from the man village
Jungle Chorus – sun, moon, wolves, rocks, flowers, plants, bushes, trees, bees, prickly pears,
vultures, etc.
12
Westchester Athletics
From the Athletic Director
The 2012 winter athletic season concluded with a bang!
The NCISAA 2A State Swim Meet was held at the newly
designed Greensboro Aquatic Center, where our boys‘
team finished 3rd overall, and our girls‘ team (with only six
swimmers), finished 8th out of 28 competing teams. The
Boys 200 Free Relay Team (Brian Ball, Charlie Branson,
Christian James, and Sean Ormond) were state
champions (1st place), and Christian James won a silver
medal for finishing 2nd in the 500 Free. At the conference
meet at Salem Academy, the boys‘ team finished 3rd,
and the girls‘ team finished 4th. All-Conference
recognition was given to Avery Goho, Kess Hendrix, Sean
Ormond, Jack Crouse, and Ben Bruggeworth.
On the hardwood, the Varsity Boys‘ Basketball team made an incredible run to win the TAC
Conference Championship, defeating the #2 seed Burlington Christian in the semifinals and
the #1 seed Caldwell Academy in the conference championship at Burlington Christian. They
qualified for the state tournament but lost to Caldwell Academy in a game for the ages at
WCDS. The Varsity Girls‘ Basketball team finished off a very impressive basketball season and
proved that it isn‘t the quantity of players but rather the heart of the players. With only seven
girls, the team finished tied for 2nd in the conference and made it the state tournament for the
first time in six years before losing to eventual state champion Carolina Day in Asheville.
Sadeeq Bello, Josh Burton, Keniece Purvis, and Meghan Ingram were all named to the TAC All-
Conference Basketball team. A special thank you to all of our Varsity Cheerleaders for an
incredible year supporting our basketball teams throughout the season and for bringing a
wonderful pride and passion to all of the games. Congratulations go out to this special group
as well for their 2nd place performance at the NCISAA Cheerleading Championship in
Fayetteville in early February.
The Middle School teams also had tremendous seasons, and all of our younger Wildcat
athletes performed at the highest level. A special shout-out to the MS ―A‖ Boys‘ team for
locking up their third consecutive T-MAC Conference Championship at Canterbury. The future
of Wildcat athletics sure does look promising!
Spring sports practices are off to a great start, so please check the website for games and
matches in the area, and come out and support the Cats!
State champion swimmers Christian
James, Brian Ball, Charlie Branson, and
Sean Ormond.
13
Two BIG events to put on your calendar for the spring:
March 26 – 8th Annual Big Cat / ‗Lil Cat Golf Tournament at Emerywood Golf Course
May 12 – 8th Annual ―Hobey‖ W-Day 5K at Westchester
Please contact Adam Schwartz for information – [email protected]
Basketball Players Give Back
The Boys‘ Varsity Basketball team helped
feed the homeless on Monday, February
20, at the Open Door Ministry in High
Point. The varsity basketball team served
lunch at the Father‘s Table. It was a very
rewarding experience according to
Coach Nelson. ―We want to teach our
student athletes how important it is to
give back to the community and those
less fortunate,‖ he said. ―Our student
athletes continue to gain an
understanding of how vital it is to serve
others. We look forward to continuing to
serve in the High Point community.‖
Cheerleaders Place in Competition
The Varsity Cheerleaders competed in
their first-ever NCISAA State Cheer
competition February 4 and placed 2nd
out of four in our division (large varsity,
non-tumbling) and 8th out of 20 overall.
Go Cats!
14
WAPA Notes and News
From the WAPA President
This month I had the pleasure of observing the 5th grade in action. Being in the classroom
gave me an opportunity to see some of the items that WAPA has been able to supply through
the Teacher Mini-Grants. Needless to say, a document camera out-performs an overhead
projector. The document camera allows the teacher and student to show materials they
have drawn on paper on the Smart Board - no more messy overhead projector sheets.
Several children had drawn sketches just a few minutes before, and they were able to display
them immediately via the document camera.
In the next classroom, the students learned fractions with the help of the Smart Board.
Students were able to draw fractions of a Hershey candy bar. What a delicious way to learn!
Another way that our Lower School students are learning is through differentiated instruction.
Blair Hawley will be our next featured speaker on March 8 at 8:15 a.m., in the library, and will
discuss differentiated learning. Everyone is welcome.
Gay James
WAPA President
Book Club The WAPA Book Club will meet on March 13 at 8:15 a.m. in the Lower School music room. The
book that we are discussing is Zeitoun by Dave Eggers. All parents are welcome.
Box Tops
We‘ve just closed the annual Box Tops submissions for the 2011-2012 school year, and we'll
have an updated total for you soon. Please continue to save and send in your clippings; these
will give us a jump start for next year. Each time you make an online purchase from an Apple
Computer product to a Dell Computer, from Gap clothing, or even prescription refills,
remember if you link from the Box Tops Marketplace to your chosen online store, our school
earns e-Box Tops! There are more than 175 retailers from which to choose!
15
For the College Bound
Over the course of the last few weeks I have been talking to our Upper School students
individually about their course selections for next year. A topic that often comes up,
especially as I speak with rising juniors and seniors, is that of AP courses. Some students even
ask how many of these college level classes they should take and which would ―look the
best.‖ My response to many students is that AP courses are not for everyone, and many
Westchester students graduate and successfully go on to college without having taken a
single AP class. Ours is a college-preparatory curriculum, meaning it is an academic program
that is designed to equip our students for success at the college level. Our profile even states
that all of our courses are taught at or above an honors level. I have sometimes found that
parents, in particular, are confused by what is meant by the AP, or Advanced Placement,
designation so hopefully this article will answer any questions you might have about the
program.
The AP program, begun in the early 1950‘s to improve education in the United States, was
originally funded by the E. E. Ford Foundation. In 1952 a pilot program comprised of seven
schools and eleven subjects launched the effort. In 1955 College Board took the reins of the
AP program with 27 schools participating nationwide. Through the years the program has
grown exponentially, and in 2011 almost 3.5 million exams were taken by 1.9 million students in
33 subjects.
AP classes are college level courses taught to exceptionally motivated and capable high
school students within the context of the high school structure. At the end of the course, in
early May, students enrolled in AP courses take a standardized exam that covers the content
of the course. Scores on these exams range from a low of 1 to a high of 5, with a 3, 4, or 5
being considered as passing scores. Nationwide in 2011, 18.1% of the students taking an AP
exam made passing scores, while at Westchester that percentage was 74%. Based on their
scores on these standardized, cumulative exams, students may earn college credit or
advanced placement, thus saving parents money and/or enabling the students to take extra
classes while in college. Studies have shown that students enrolled in AP courses may achieve
a higher degree of success once in college because these courses foster mastery of writing
and require closer, more independent study skills. Because each AP course follows a syllabus
dictated by College Board, AP teachers may not have the flexibility to adjust pace and
content of the course if students fall behind; thus it is imperative that students aspiring to take
one or more AP classes understand the commitment enrollment in such a class demands.
Students taking AP classes can expect to have homework that exceeds the 30-minute nightly
average stated in the Community Handbook and may also have assignments to complete
over the summer. Our Curriculum Committee has established guidelines for admission to each
AP class, and students are typically limited to taking no more than three AP courses during a
given year, most typically the student‘s junior and/or senior years.
16
AP courses are not for everyone but, for the especially motivated, talented student, they can
add extra rigor and depth to the student‘s high school experience. Successful AP students are
independent, critical thinkers who can analyze and apply what they learn. They have made
the intellectual shift from memorizing and regurgitating to understanding, applying, and
making connections. While we strive to maintain high standards and expectations in our AP
program, we want participation in the program to be inclusive, not exclusive. To that end, we
have found the most important criteria for success at the AP level is motivation and desire,
and the best way for a student who aspires to take an AP class to demonstrate those traits is
through consistent effort and performance in his current classes. If you have questions about
our AP program or about the admissions process for a given AP class, please don‘t hesitate to
call me.
The following seniors have received college acceptances since our last newsletter:
Chris Anderson High Point University
Matt Crooker Guilford College
Millsaps College
Sunam Dhakal East Carolina University
Western Carolina University
George Freiberger High Point University
University of Alabama
Nicole Harrah UNC Greensboro
Harrison Keefe Appalachian State University
Caroline Muir Clemson University
Adam Niner Clemson University
Rachel Nulty Clemson University
University of South Carolina
Sean Ormond UNC SA (filmmaking)
Lasse Palomaki UNC Greensboro
Katie Rice UNC Wilmington
Davis Tucker Lenoir-Rhyne University
Salisbury University
Luke Vandeplancke Clemson University
Betty Flythe, College Placement Advisor
17
Healthful Hints from the School Nurse
What happened to winter this year? We‘ve enjoyed days and days of short-sleeved weather.
Students came to school with shorts in January, and I‘ve even seen some flip flips in February!
Could this be the reason why I haven‘t seen any flu in the school? Is the mild weather keeping
us all outside and not all cooped up inside spreading germs? As I write this article in late
February there hasn‘t been a documented case of flu at school. This flu season is one of the
latest starts in nearly three decades.
As for what can be done to fight the flu, health department officials say the old saying, ―An
ounce of prevention is a pound of cure,‖ still applies today — but some of the things from
which one could pick up the virus are much different from years ago.
―The nastiest thing you have around you is your cell phone. Think about it, the phone is in your
pocket, it‘s in your hands at different times, at work, at school, in the house, and when you
travel. There are more germs on a cell phone than on a toilet seat,‖ said Dr. Marion
Pennington, a regional epidemiologist with the Laurel County Health Department, who
recommends using a Clorox hand wipe or a hand sanitizer on your cell phone to kill the germs.
The best, absolutely the best, way to prevent flu is handwashing, period.
On a lighter note, once again this year we will be providing an opportunity for our student
athletes to obtain their sports physicals for next year. These examinations will take place in late
May here at school. I encourage all students interested in sports for the coming school year to
take advantage of these free physicals. Dr. Chris Brumfield and Dr. Michele Jedlica will be
donating their time to perform this much appreciated service to our school. Although there is
no fee for the examination, we will have a donation jar present in the hallway. Proceeds from
this jar will assist with funding medical supplies specifically geared for athletes.
Beth Kennedy, Director of Health Service