August 25, 2009

Dear Parent,

You may have noticed information in the newspapers and on the television recently related to the H1N1 (Swine Flu). Influenza is a contagious disease. At the present time, with the information known, symptoms of H1N1 influenza should be treated the same as a seasonal flu. The Bell County School District is fortunate to have nurses from the Bell County Health Department in each of our school centers. The nurses are well informed and keep up to date with the most current news regarding H1N1. The seasonal flu vaccine and mist are anticipated to be available in all school centers no later than Monday, August 31 (determined by arrival date to the Health. Department). The seasonal flu and H1n1 flu (Swine Flu) are two (2) different types of flu. The Health Department anticipates having the H1N1 vaccine by mid-October. The H1N1 vaccine requires two vaccinations, approximately twenty-one days apart. ALL students are encouraged to have the vaccinations for both flu viruses. The district is being proactive in response to the influenza. Each classroom has a wall mounted hand sanitizer, restrooms, lunchrooms, student desks, doorknobs, and water fountain mouthpieces, are sanitized daily for student safety. To help prevent the spread of influenza, at home and school, good hygiene habits should be used: Wash hands frequently for 20 seconds or the length of the "Happy Birthday" song twice. Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth. Regularly clean areas and items likely to have frequent hand contact. Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing with paper tissue or use the bend of the elbow. Discard tissues immediately after each use and then wash hands. Do not share eating utensils, drink from the same cup or share toothbrushes Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not accessible (Use teaspoon or nickel-size equivalent.) Respectfully, Pamela E. Greene

Kentucky Public Schools High Attendance Day

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Submitted by:  Pamela E. Greene, Director of Pupil Personnel

Based on the premise that school attendance is crucial to successful education, the Kentucky Directors of Pupil Personnel are sponsoring a "High Attendance Day" for all schools across the commonwealth on Thursday, September 10^th, 2009 . 

School attendance is a prerequisite for a successful education.  A student cannot learn if that student is not in class.  The entire purpose of "High Attendance Day" is to raise awareness of the importance of school attendance.

Schools will compete in one of three categories:  elementary, middle, or high school.  Each school's home district will determine the category that most accurately applies to each of its schools.  Awards will be determined statewide based on each individual school's performance, regardless of district or school size.

The school in each category with the highest percentage attendance for that day will win $1.00 per student with a minimum of per school of $500.00 and a maximum of $1,500.  On High Attendance Day in 2008 Bell County was recognized at state, regional and local levels as winners - Right Fork School Center won the middle school category and was awarded $500.00.  Frakes School Center won in the elementary category for the region and was awarded a plaque.

School attendances is important every day and the faculty, staff and administration of the Bell County School District promotes that fact regularly but let's pull out all the stops and put Bell County Schools in the news (again) with our high attendance on Thursday, September 10^th.  As a district we are winners and with the support of parents, students and school staff we will become winners that are recognized statewide. 

Spread the word, promote it, talk it up, everyone needs to be in school on Thursday, September 10^th.

NO PASS/NO DRIVE LAW REVISIONS JUNE 2008 By: Pamela E. Greene, Director of Pupil Personnel

Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 159.051, NO PASS/NO DRIVE, became law on June 25, 2007 and implementation began on August 1, 2007. This law applies to all Kentucky schools, public and private. Specifications of the law were revised in June of 2008. The revisions include a new name for the form, "Minor's Application for Driver's License" as well as when application should be made by the student, "only at the initial application process for a driver's permit/transfer license only." A student will be denied permission to obtain a permit if one or more of the following events occur: 1. The student has academic deficiency, The NO PASS/NO DRIVE law defines academic deficiency as "a student who does not have passing grades in at lest four (4) courses, or the equivalent of four courses." 2. The student has a deficiency in attendance. Nine (9) or more unexcused absences (including days suspended) will result in a deficiency of attendance. 3. A student who drops out of school will be issued a report of noncompliance. In compliance with the statute the Bell County School District will verify school enrollment, academic standing and the number of unexcused absences prior to completing the School Compliance Verification form for a students permit application. IMPORTANT:  A student must have been enrolled in a Bell County School or another school (public or private) at least a semester before a School Compliance Verification application will be granted.  If the student is home schooled, the home school notification must be on file in the Director of Pupil Personnel's office by August 6, 2008. To be eligible for an application May 30, 2009, verification must be in the Director of Pupil Personnel's office prior to January 5, 2009.  Attendance is monitored bi-weekly; nine (9) unexcused absences will result in denial or revocation of the permit until the end of the following semester. ALL excuses for an absence must be presented to the school within ten (10) school days upon return to school - all excuses submitted after 10 days will be deemed unexcused in regard to the NO PASS/NO DRIVE Law.  Grades will be monitored at the end of each semester. If a student becomes noncompliant in one of the three areas the Director of Pupil Personnel will notify the Transportation Cabinet and Division of Licensing. Noncompliant students will be eligible to reapply after a successful full semester in the area of deficiency. School Compliance Verification applications may be picked up at Bell County High from designated personnel, the Bell County Alternative School or the Director of Pupil Personnel's' office in the District Administration Building. When school is not in session ALL applications must be obtained at the Director of Pupil Personnel's office. The application must be obtained by a parent or legal guardian. This law is an important tool for parents and educators. Working together the parents, school and judicial systems will ensure that students take responsibility for their education, thus protecting their driving privileges. Questions regarding the NO PASS/NO DRIVE Law may be directed to: Pam Greene, Director of Pupil Personnel Bell County Board of Education PO Box 340 Pineville, Kentucky 40977 606-337-7051 pam.greene@bell.kyschools.us