Ebola Update
We?Äôve all heard recent news about Ebola cases and the ongoing outbreak in West Africa, and understand staff, parents, and students may have questions and concerns that need to be addressed. The risk of Ebola disease being spread in Minnesota is still extremely low, and you can continue to refer to the Minnesota Department of Health?Äôs Frequently Asked Questions document and Fact Sheet about Ebola available on the MDH website at www.health.state.mn.us.
?Ä¢ At this time, there is no need to exclude or avoid anyone because they have recently traveled to an area where Ebola is occurring.
?Ä¢ The risk of Ebola disease being spread in Minnesota continues to be extremely low.
?Ä¢ Ebola is transmitted when a person has had direct contact with the blood or body fluids (e.g., saliva, urine, vomit, feces) of an Ebola-infected person or with objects contaminated with that person?Äôs blood or body fluids.
?Ä¢ People returning from the affected areas who do not have symptoms are not infectious.
?Ä¢ Fever in people who traveled to the affected areas is most likely due to more common infectious diseases (e.g. malaria).
There is heavy coverage in the media about the spread of Ebola. It is a good idea to limit young children?Äôs exposure to news stories about it. This way, parents can decide what information they want to share based on their child?Äôs level of understanding.
?Ä¢ Children are safe.
?Ä¢ Our health care system is among the best in the world for taking care of sick people.
?Ä¢ Ebola is rare and does not exist everywhere. When cases are found, the person with the infection is taken to a safe place to be cared for so that they can get better and not make anyone else sick.
?Ä¢ Doctors and scientists who know a lot about Ebola are working hard to find ways to prevent or cure this illness.
Pay attention to children and youth because they are paying attention to the news. Some things to consider:
?Ä¢ Media coverage of Ebola can worry or frighten children and adolescents (and adults).
?Ä¢ The news media tend to emphasize the most frightening aspects of an outbreak.
?Ä¢ Ebola does not have to be in your community for media coverage to affect your child.
?Ä¢ You can help young children by restricting their exposure to media coverage.
?Ä¢ With all children and adolescents, active mediation (monitoring and explaining) can help them cope with media coverage of Ebola.
?Ä¢ The most important thing you can do is to talk about Ebola media coverage with your child.
-Minnesota Department of Education
Speaking to Children
Pay special attention to children?Äôs needs and speak with them in a calm and supportive way about their fears. Children best receive information in ?Äúsmall bites?Äù. These ?Äúsmall bites?Äù should be truthful and not flowered with unrealistic assurances. When providing assurances, stress that there are adults here to support and protect them if they ever feel afraid or have questions they need answered.
Quote of the Week:
?ÄúThe most influential of all educational factors is the conversation in a child?Äôs home.?Äù
-William Temple
Senior of the Week
The EV-W School District would like to recognize Kayla Coulter, daughter of Kelly and John. Kayla admires her parents and grandparents for the examples set while overcoming obstacles and remaining optimistic when faced with difficult times. Kayla is currently enrolled in 4 college-level classes, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, and the EV-W school newspaper. Kayla participates in the girls?Äô softball program, and represented EV-W as the Girls State Representative. The EV-W administration and staff commend Kayla on her great start to the 2014-15 school year. Congratulations!