The Music Department is starting off busy as usual. This week, 7-12 Band students are auditioning for seating in the HDC Conference Band. The audition is an optional activity, but the concert is mandatory. Those going with us to Gilman City for auditions this Wednesday, Sept. 2^nd, will leave the school at 3 p.m. No need to dress up…just what you wear to school. We will eat in Bethany before returning home between 7 and 7:30.

The Beginning Band students and their parents will have a chance to rent/buy instruments at the meeting on Thursday, Sept. 3^rd, at 3:30 p.m. If you already have an instrument, no need to come, but we will be signing up for lesson times that night, so if there is one morning or afternoon that works best for you, drop me an email, or call the school to let me know your preference.

The HDC Music Day will be on Friday, Oct. 16^th at Pattonsburg. The kids will practice all afternoon, and the concert will begin at 6 p.m. Admission to the concert will be the same as for ballgames. This activity is mandatory for 7-12 Band students and 9-12 Chorus students. It has been a February event, but has been switched to the fall this year, due to District Basketball conflict.

Other dates to put on your calendars include Christmas Concert on Dec. 10^th and Spring Concert April 23^rd. Both will begin at 7 p.m. Check my website for other upcoming events, and for a few pictures from recent events (still last year’s pix right now, but I will switch things up as we begin our 09-10 activities).

Mrs. Constable

As you may know, flu can be easily spread from person to person. Therefore, we are taking steps to reduce the spread of flu in North Harrison Schools. We want to keep the school open to students and functioning in a normal manner during this flu season. But, we need your help to do this.

We are working closely with the Harrison County Health Dept and the Missouri Dept of Health to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning schools. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available.

If the flu becomes more severe, we may take additional steps to prevent the spread such as:

*conducting active fever and flu symptom screening of students and staff as they arrive at school

*making changes to increase the space between people such as moving desks farther apart and postponing class trips

*dismissing students from school for at least 7 days if they become sick.

For now we are doing everything we can to keep our school functioning as usual. Here are a few things you can do to help.

*Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol- based hand rub. You can set a good example by doing this yourself. "Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils, and to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues. Covering up their coughs or sneezes using the elbow, arm or sleeve instead of the hand when a tissue is unavailable.

*Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit, 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea.

*Keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have fever or do not have signs of fever, without using fever-reducing drugs. Keeping children with a fever at home will reduce the number of people who may get infected.

*Do not send children to school if they are sick. Any children who are determined to be sick while at school will be sent home.

At this time, North Harrison School District policy states, that if a student or employee shows flu-like symptoms, they will be sent immediately and asked to provide a doctor's note to identify the cause of the symptoms. We /, have procedures in place and will take all precautions to mitigate the effects of an outbreak.

For more information, visit www.flu.gov , or call1-800-CDC-INFO for the most current information about the flu. For more information about flu in our community and what our school is doing, contact the Harrison County Health Dept at 425-6324. We will notify you of any additional changes to our school's strategy to prevent the spread of flu.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Nancy Parman

Supt North Harrison Schools

Our mission at North Harrison R-III School District is to provide all students with a quality education which will help them to reach their full potential as citizens who can meet the challenges of a changing society.  This will be done through a positive school climate, cooperation between the school and the community, a relevant curriculum, and through respect for the students and employees alike.