Bogan Elementary Weekly E-News

November 20, 2020

School News and Information

Remote Learning Decisions for THS & TMS Due to Staff Shortages

Happy Friday!  Another week of Remote Learning, Face to Face, and Quarantined learning has come and gone.  Anyone else realize that we are currently running 3 versions of school?  Thank you for doing your part to help keep us safe while learning face to face.  And a big THANK YOU for all of your grace and understanding as things constantly change - you have been great! 

During these last two week we had a few confirmed and probable cases that caused classrooms to be quarantined.  While I know that most of us want our students to be at school, we all need to do our part to help prevent the spread so that we can stay open.  Classroom quarantines are part of this but so are individual quarantines.  If someone in your house is showing symptoms of covid, EVERYONE should stay home until the sick person has a negative covid test or an alternate diagnosis and certainly if a student has been directly exposed to a positive case the student should stay home.   

Please see this Returning to School form for more information. 

Update from the Health Department

Public Health Commissioners in Butler County Strongly Encourage Staying at Home, Whenever Possible

“We are at a critical point in the response to the coronavirus pandemic," says Jennifer Bailer Health Commissioner for the Butler County General Health District (BCGHD).

Hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients in Southwest Ohio have increased by 67% over the last 2 weeks and COVID-19 patients in the ICU have increased by 50% over the same time. Butler County has had a surge in COVID-19 cases and visits to the hospital since the beginning of October. “We had been setting records the last two weeks with around 200-250 cases reported each day. However, over the weekend Butler County had over 900 cases reported from Friday to Sunday, with a new record of 376 cases in a single day,” said Jordan Luttrell-Freeman, Epidemiologist. The City of Hamilton and City of Middletown Health Departments report similar trends.

"When the pandemic began in March, we were concerned about our medical facilities having enough PPE. Now it is the people. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities have been working tirelessly since March and feeling the impacts of staff shortages. They too are impacted by COVID and many need to stay home because they or their families are ill or in quarantine. We must protect our healthcare workers by doing our part and staying at home as much as possible, especially if you are sick, in quarantine or isolation, or waiting for test results," states Bailer.   

I live in Butler County, what should I do?

• If you are sick:
• Stay home for 10 days. After 10 days if your symptoms are better and you have had no fever for 24 hours without medicine, you are considered recovered and can go out.
• If you are waiting for a test result:
• Stay home! Do NOT go out, to school or to work while you wait!
• If you have been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case, or think you have:
• Stay home for 14 days! Do NOT go out, to school or to work!
• If you are positive for COVID-19, notify all your close contacts to stay home for 14 days.

What else can I do?

• Avoid gatherings, limit contact with people outside of your household, and reconsider holiday plans
• Keep six (6) feet of distance from others
• Wear a mask
• Including while inside around non-household members.
• Wash your hands

People with questions about COVID-19 can call the Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 Call Center, 7 days a week from 9AM – 8PM at: 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634) or contact their local health department.  Butler County residents call 513-863-1770

PTG Officer Nominations

Bogan PTG (Parent Teacher Group) Board Nominations are now open, if you are interested in participating on the Board and/or have any questions regarding the positions, please Click Here or contact Christina Shepherd or Kelly Beckman.

Food Distribution Plan for those who are remote learning or in self-isolation

See information here: November Food Distribution Program.pdf

Elementary Lunch Menu

Don’t forget to send a water bottle with your child to school.  Also, if your child is packing their lunch, please place their first and last name on the lunchbox.  

Goggin Ice Center Information

Thanksgiving Skates

December Public Skating

PUSH (People United for Self Help)

PUSH has funding for furnace and water heater repairs or replacements. Grants are available to low-income, homeowners in the Talawanda School District for critical and emergency home repairs. Call Jeanne or Sabrina at 513-523-8100 for more information

Masks Are Mandatory at School

Here is a video in case you or your child has questions about masks.  https://youtu.be/erxczymki0g  Staff will help students with their masks.  Students who refuse to wear a mask properly may be moved to the online learning platform.  Thanks for your support.

Important Reminder for All TSD Parents:

Talawanda School District needs your partnership in keeping our students, staff, and families safe during the pandemic we are experiencing.  It's critical that parents do a wellness check on each child every day before school.  If your child exhibits any symptoms for COVID-19, please keep your child and their siblings home from school until you have an alternative diagnosis or negative test result.  See the checklist below.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of reported symptoms – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Symptoms can include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

TSD is working on additional ways to report your child's illness/absence  to school.  Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

COVID-19 TRAVEL ADVISORY & SELF QUARANTINING

We understand that families may be traveling during the holiday season.  The Ohio Health Department & the Butler County Health Department recommend that people self quarantine for 14 days upon returning from a state that is listed as a hotspot for Covid-19.  A hotspot is a state that is reporting positive Covid-19 rates of 15% or higher.  Please see the link to the map, as the states listed can change.

Travel Advisory States from ODH

Elementary Schedule

Students 9:30 - 4:15 (Dismissal begins at 3:55)

Early Dismissal Wednesday 9:30-3:30 (Dismissal begins at 3:15)

TSD Pandemic Plan

Talawanda School District School Reopening Guidelines 2020-21 School Year

Food Distribution

Students at Bogan will receive free breakfast and free lunch for the remainder of the school year.  Students who are remote learning can pick up meals at Bogan.  Info Here

Information about Ohio’s Connectivity Champions

Information here: Ohio’s Connectivity Champions

Medication Forms

If students who will be returning to school need medication during the day, please be sure to have the medication form completed by your child’s doctor and bring the medication in its original container.

Talawanda Board of Education Public Participation Policy

https://www.talawanda.org/district-blog/entry/public-participation-policy-01691-549/

Free and Reduced Lunch Information

This is more important than ever!  Federal and State funds are given to schools based on applications for Free & Reduced lunch.  Your application could get your child direct benefits and support Bogan Elementary.  Ohio is likely to issue additional EBT cards to families who qualify.

Free and Reduced applications are linked in Final Forms.  You simply create an account and apply!  You can also find the link on the Talawanda website under Departments/Food Service.  Contact the Bogan Office at 513-273-3400  if you need assistance with your application.  We can provide a computer and walk you through step by step if needed.

Free and Reduced Lunch Applications and Instructions

Have a great weekend!

Jeff Winslow

Principal

Calendar

November 25-27- Thanksgiving Break

December 4 - Remote Learners - Pick up/Drop off

December 18 - Remote Learners - Pick up/Drop off

December 21-January 1- Winter Break

March 16- Conferences

March 18- Conferences