Rick Gardner
There has been a recent increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in our student population. As our goal is to keep kids at school for in-person learning, we have partnered with Lane County Public Health to offer a free “DRIVE-THROUGH” testing clinic this Saturday 10/16 from 10-2 in the Veneta Elementary School parking lot.
As the seasons change many of our students are coming down with ‘mild symptoms’ like runny noses, coughs, and sore throats. These can be symptoms of a ‘regular cold’ and can sometimes also be symptoms of COVID-19. We experienced students coming to school with minor symptoms for several days then ended up being COVID-19 positive this week. We’d like you to take the opportunity to do a free drive-through test this weekend if you or your child are having any cold-like symptoms or have been around anyone who has been sick. This clinic will also be available for anyone who is NOT having symptoms but would like to be tested “just to be sure”.
Anyone in the community can go to this clinic. The test is a swab in the nostril and the results will be called to you in 3-5 days. There are no insurance or ID requirements to get tested.
Covid Testing Drive Through Clinic
I am so sorry to tell you all that one of our students, Corbin Sexton, has died. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends.
All of the students were given the news of the death by their teacher in first period this morning. I have included a copy of the announcement that was read to them.
The manner of death was suicide. Suicide is a very complicated act. Although we may never know why Corbin ended his life, we do know that suicide has multiple causes. In some cases, a mental health condition is part of it. But these conditions are treatable. It’s really important if you or your child are not feeling well in any way to reach out for help. There are resources in our community to support your child and family. I am including some information that may be helpful to you in discussing suicide with your child.
Members of our Crisis Response Team are available to meet with students individually and in groups today as well as over the coming days and weeks. Please contact the school office if you feel your child is in need of additional assistance. Note that children who have serious thoughts of suicide already may be at greater risk due to exposure to the suicide of a peer. If you or your child needs help right away, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), the Lane County Child and Adolescent Crisis Line at 541-689-3111, call 911, or take your child to the nearest crisis center or emergency department.
It is safe and healthy to talk to your child about suicide and grief, while these conversations may be uncomfortable they can also be lifesaving.
Information about the funeral service will be made available as soon as we have it. If your child wishes to attend, we strongly encourage you to accompany him or her to the service. If the funeral is scheduled during school hours, students who wish to attend will need parental permission to be released from school.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me or one of the school mental health professionals. We can be reached by calling 541-935-8200.
Sincerely,
Rick Gardner
Principal
Elmira High School
Wednesday, October 13th is testing day at EHS. 9th grade students will be taking the PSAT 8/9, 10th and 11th grade students will be taking the PSAT/NMSQT, and 12th grade students will be taking the SAT. All of these tests will be offered to students free of charge and are good practice for future college entrance exams. If you do not wish to have your student test we ask that you keep them home on the 13th as we will not be conducting regular classes that day. Please refer to the link below for a schedule of the activities for October 13th and don’t hesitate to give us a call at 541-935-8200 if you have any questions.
Parent/Teacher Conferences are October 14 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM and October 15 from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM. We will be conducting these conferences virtually. Please refer to the sign up link below to schedule a date and time to meet with your child’s teachers. Time slots are for 15 minutes and teachers will send you a link to a Google Meet for your designated time slot. If you are having trouble signing up please contact the front office at 541-935-8200 for assistance.
The Signup Link is now closed, please contact your student’s teacher directly if you still would like a conference.
Dear Families,
Recently, we learned that a student on campus has tested positive for COVID-19. As members of the school community, we understand that this might raise concerns alongside a caring response.
At this time, we are conducting contact tracing (if they have been on campus during the infectious period) which includes but is not limited to: reviewing cohort logs, interviewing staff, and checking cameras.
If contact tracing determines that your child is a close contact and needs to be quarantined, you will be personally contacted by school staff within 24-48 hours of the school being notified.
While it is our goal to keep students in school, please be vigilant in regards to watching for primary COVID symptoms. Primary symptoms include: fever of 100.4 or higher, cough, congestion, chills, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or loss of smell.
We will keep you updated with any new information as it comes out, while meeting the requirements to honor everyone’s right to privacy.
If you have any questions, please contact the school principal or Nurse Elliott, our district nurse, at selliott@fernridge.k12.or.us.
Please note that the date for this event has changed.
Elmira High School will be having a virtual Open House on Tuesday, October 5th at 6:00 PM. Please use the link provided below to access this presentation.
Elmira will be celebrating Homecoming 2021 next week with hallway decorating, spirit days, the crowning of the homecoming court, a home football game vs Cottage Grove and the traditional lighting of the E at halftime of the game. The homecoming parade and dance will take place at a later date when conditions improve.
EHS Homecoming Spirit Dress up Days
Monday – Tourist Day
Tuesday – Western Day
Wednesday – Class Color Day (12th-Black, 11th-White, 10th-Red, 9th-Blue)
Thursday – Character Day
Friday – Purple and Gold (Falcon) Day
Fern Ridge School District is having a virtual job fair on Thursday, September 23rd from 6-7 PM. This is an opportunity to learn about the many opportunities available for employment in our school district. Please refer to the following flyer for more information.
Covid 19 is prevalent in our community. Please refer to the attached letter from our district nurse about how to recognize the symptoms of Covid 19 and when to keep your students home.
We are very excited to welcome back all of our students next week. We have spent the last 6 weeks working hard to prepare for the beginning of school. We will use the following schedule for next week:
Tuesday, September 7th – 9th Grade Only, 8:25 AM – 3:20 PM
Wednesday, September 8th – All Grade Levels, 8:25 AM – 1:30 PM (Period 1-3 Block Schedule)
Thursday, Septber 9th – All Grade Levels, 8:25 AM – 3:20 PM (Period 4-7 Block Schedule)
Friday, September 10th – All Grade Levels, 8:25 AM – 3:20 PM (Period 1-7 Regular Schedule)
Please don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions. We can’t wait to see our students next week and we are looking forward to a great school year.
