2008 Summer Academy Information is now available online. Click for brochure. Hard copies of the brochure will be available after April 7^th.

View the Summer Academy home page »

• Early Dismissal — Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 1:30p.m. (morning kindergarten ends at 10, afternoon kindergarten begins at 11a.m.)
• No School Students and Staff: Memorial Day — Monday, May 26, 2008
• High School Commencement — Sunday, June 1, 2008, 2pm at Veterans' Memorial Auditorium
• Last Day for Students — Thursday, June 5 (end of fourth grading period, second semester, and school year)
• K–12 Teacher Grading Day — Friday, June 6

The winter season is upon us. Our district staff understands that our decision to open or close schools in bad weather has a big impact on families. We also understand that our students are better served — both academically and socially — by being in school. And, as always, our top priority is the safety of our students. With the foregoing in mind, allow me to share with you the process for deciding whether to keep the schools open,  close schools, or delay the opening of schools, and how you will be notified of the decision to close or delay.

Although my staff and I do our absolute best in this process, we know that often no perfect decision exists. If you do not feel as though it is safe for your child to attend school, use your best judgment as to whether he or she should attend. Also, discourage teenagers from driving in bad conditions and offer them alternatives if weather conditions worsen.

We hope that this explanation helps everyone understand the process that our district staff uses to make the best possible decision for the safety of our students and staff.

Jeffrey W. Weaver, Ph.D.
Superintendent

Many parents are concerned about recent news accounts concerning methicillin-resistant Staphylcoccus aureus (MRSA), a type of “staph” infection that can cause skin infections that can be difficult to treat. Please know that all district buildings are following guidelines from the Ohio Department of Health regarding prevention of MRSA, including proper cleaning of school facilities. We are also assisting ODH with education efforts by sharing some of the agency’s answers to frequently asked questions about MRSA:

What are typical symptoms of MRSA?
Common signs of a skin infection include redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness. Often a MRSA infection will look like a spider bite, boil, abscess, or pimple. If left untreated, it will progress in to a more serious illness.

How is MRSA spread?
In outbreak situations, the environment has not played a significant role in the transmission of MRSA. Studies in health care and community settings show a skin-to-skin contact, direct contact with infected wound drainage, or contact with contaminated surfaces or with items such as sports equipment as the likely sources of transmission. MRSA skin infections are not spread through the air.

How can students and employees protect themselves?
Students and employees can protect themselves by:

• practicing good hygiene (e.g., keeping their hands clean by washing with soap and warm water or using alcohol-based hand rubs, and showering after games and practices)
• covering any open skin areas such as abrasions or cuts with clean dry bandages
• not sharing personal items such as towels or razors
• using barriers (e.g., clothing or towels) between skin and shared equipment
• if they have open wounds, not using whirlpools, hydrotherapy pools, cold tubs, swimming pools, and other common tubs
• wiping surfaces of equipment before and after use
• getting tested if they think they may have MRSA.

We share your concerns about the health and safety of our students and employees. Please learn as much as you can about MRSA, be aware of possible symptoms, and, if necessary, seek medical attention promptly.

For more information on treatment and diagnosis, please visit the Ohio Department of Health or the Franklin County Board of Health (links to the Centers for Disease Control) websites, or consult your family doctor.

The Upper Arlington City School District has launched a new alert-notification service for parents, students, staff, and the community.

At its May 7th meeting, the Board of Education approved a contract with The NTI Group, Inc., to utilize the company’s Connect–ED® which allows district and school officials to deliver any-time messages to contact district constituents almost immediately. Built exclusively for K–12 educators, the service enables the administrators and designated individuals to record, schedule, send, and track thousands of voice messages in a matter of minutes. These messages include important safety bulletins concerning our schools,  information concerning upcoming events or activities in our schools, notifications about student attendance, and school closings.

Parents should contact their child’s respective school office if their contact information has changed recently or if they wish to add additional contact information.

Visit the Connect-ED® web site at http://www.ntigroup.com/ for more information concerning the operation of the system.