I would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to our very own Jim Christoffersen. Jim, our Buildings and Grounds Supervisor, was honored as the Mainten ance Profes- sional of the Year for 2009- 2010 at the Minn esota Association of School Mainten ance Supervisors (MASMS) Conference banquet in St. Cloud on Sept. 17, 2009.

Jim was hired in January 1988 as a high school custodian and bus driver. In less than two years, Jim was promoted to Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, a position he has held for more than 20 years. Even though he has been in the same position for two decades, the position hasn't been the same. His job has increased incredibly throughout the years, including the responsibility for planning and organizing annual safety drills.

We are very proud of Jim's dedication and service. Jim is the epitome of hard work. He often comes to work early and stays late. Jim is very deserving of this award and we are lucky to have such a great professional in our community working with our students and staff. In addition to the recognition of Jim at the annual banquet, the Staples Motley school district will receive $1,000 to be given as scholarships to Staples Motley students in Jim's honor.

In a world of constant change, one thing that doesn't change is our commitment at the Staples Motley Schools to the safety of our students and staff.

Last Friday, we had a chance to demonstrate our dedication to safety by conducting an all-district evacuation drill. This drill provided our students and staff with an opportunity to test their preparedness in case of a crisis, an emergency or a disaster. Drills not only allow school officials to test procedures, they also reveal any weaknesses in our plans, improve responses and coordination, clarify roles and responsibilities and improve individual's performances. We are very proud of our students and staff for a job well done. We hope we never need to rely on these drills, but if we do we feel confident our students and staff will be aware of what they need to do to stay safe.

Another concern this school year is the threat of seasonal and H1N1 flu in our schools and communities. In a typical year, approximately three to five percent of the general population may get the flu. With H1N1, health care officials predict these numbers may increase to 30-40 percent. As we start to see cases in the community, it appears it's not necessarily the severity of H1N1 that is worse than seasonal flu, but the concern exists because the sheer numbers may be higher.

Taking steps to slow the spread of seasonal and H1N1 flu is very important. Knowing the symptoms of the flu and keeping sick kids away from school, school activities and public settings is the most important steps Minnesotans can take to limit the impact of flu. Flu-like symptoms can include: fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, sore throat, vomiting and sometimes diarrhea

At Staples Motley schools, we expect any child with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher does not come to school until the fever has been gone for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing drugs. The school nurse will take the student's temperature upon return to school. Also, students at school with a fever of 100 degrees or more will be sent home.

We are working hard to keep our students safe and healthy, but we cannot do it alone. It will take teamwork and common sense to slow the spread of the flu this season. Here are some things you can do to help:

o Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water. You can set a good example by doing this yourself.

o Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils and to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues. Covering up their coughs or sneezes using the elbow, arm or sleeve instead of the hand when a tissue is unavailable.

o Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea.

o Keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or do not have signs of a fever, without using fever reducing drugs. Keeping children with a fever at home will reduce the number of people who may get infected.

o Do not send children to school if they are sick. Any children who are determined to be sick while at school will be sent home.

Stay healthy. Wash your hands often. And, please periodically check our website (www.isd2170.k12. mn.us) and our Facebook page to be aware of what's happening in our schools.

If you have questions, please contact me at 218- 894-2430 or mschmitz@ isd2170.k12.mn.us.