Milford Students May Return After Chickenpox Outbreak
Posted
Kathy Cone-
SYRACUSE – Students who were sent home because of a chickenpox outbreak at Milford School might return Friday, the Wawasee School Board heard Tuesday. A chickenpox outbreak with five cases was confirmed at Milford in late January, prompting the Kosciusko County Health Department to offer immunizations for many students. Eight students who did not receive the immunization were excluded from school, after letters were sent to about 50 students known to not be immunized. Originally told they could be excluded for up to 21 days, the incubation period for the chickenpox virus, those students may be allowed back Friday, Milford Principal Cindy Kaiser told the board. She said it depends on whether there are no more incidences confirmed by the end of today. Students without the second dose of immunization were excluded in accordance with State Department of Health rules. And the board heard Tuesday that Junior Achievement is going strong in the Wawasee Community Schools Corporation, as shown by the 1,600-plus students it serves. Students from kindergarten through 10th grade participate in the volunteer-led program taught both in their classrooms and at outside simulated communities. Development Manager Vicky Decker outlined the program to the Wawasee board of directors, including how it works, how it is funded and who teaches. “JA teaches kids how to manage in the real world,” explained Decker. The business-education partnership is the world’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. “Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana is ranked number 1 in the United States in terms of market penetration,” she said, adding, “our program is the pilot site for many JA Worldwide programs.” To that end, volunteers from a variety of businesses in the community go into the classrooms to instruct young people on things such as how to manage a checkbook, how to anticipate and budget for purchases and maintenance expenses, and how to save money. JA provides materials and training, and volunteers discuss work-related topics and share their own experiences, ultimately connecting what the students learn in the classroom with what happens in the world around them. Outside of the classroom is a whole new world. Biztown is a simulated community located in Fort Wayne available to all students in the northern Indiana district. Younger students visit there and learn how to manage their own town and incomes. They work at jobs ranging from government to the soda dispenser at a fast food restaurant. “One of the problems we see is that they don’t like to spend their money once they get it,” said Decker. “We have to explain that the economy doesn’t run unless people buy things.” Older students visit JA’s Lincoln Park facility, also in Fort Wayne, after completing a 3-5 week program. There they received a “life situation” – for example, a student might receive a health insurance premium deduction for attending a gym while another might suffer an on-the-job injury resulting in loss of income. They must prepare budgets based upon their own life situation. Volunteers from local businesses including insurance agencies, banks, builders, and investment firms staff the program. The organization raises money through community events. It has sponsored golf outings and has scheduled a 5K for May 18. In other money matters, the school board accepted a donation from Holly Tuttle from Women of Today for $1,800, proceeds from their “Howl at the Owl” Halloween party. Tuttle explained it is to be distributed among all five schools. Peggy Guyas from Interra Bank handed over a check for $750. She described how the bank supports the schools with a popcorn program. It donates everything needed to make popcorn and all proceeds remain with the schools. It also provides hats and gloves for elementary school students.
