News Archive - October 2007
Information about MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus)
[posted 10/23/07 - 11/01/07]
October 22, 2007
Dear Parent and/or Guardian:
As most of you are aware there has been a lot of media attention given to MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) in recent weeks. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that is commonly carried in the nose and skin of healthy people. This bacterium is often times called "staph." Approximately 30% of the U.S. population carries staph on their skin and in their nose, and of that number; approximately 1% has a type of staph infection that is resistant to treatment with antibiotics. When the staph bacterium is resistant to treatment with antibiotics, it is referred to as MRSA. In the past, MRSA infections occurred mainly in patients in hospitals and in long-term care facilities but recently these infections have started becoming more common in otherwise healthy individuals. There are many treatments available for doctors to assist them in managing MRSA; however, it is a serious infection. Most infections caused by staph are skin infections such as pimples and boils. Staph infections can be red, painful, swollen, or have pus or other drainage.
Urbana School District closely follows the recommendations of the Illinois Department of Public Health and the CDC (Center for Disease Control) in handling any and all communicable diseases. Our custodians use hospital-grade cleaning products and follow the CDC recommended procedures to prevent the spread of disease.
There are many things you can do to help prevent the spread of MRSA. The following are recommendations of the Center for Disease Control:
- Keep your hands clean by thoroughly washing with soap and water for fifteen seconds or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Keep cuts and scrapes covered with a bandage until fully healed.
- Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as towels and razors.
- Promote hand-washing and good hygiene with your child.
For additional information about MRSA visit the Illinois Public Health Department web site at http://www.idph.state.il.us scroll down the links on the left hand side and click on the a-z topics list.
You may also contact the Champaign Urbana Public Health Department at 531-5361, or you are welcome to contact me at 384-3564.
Sincerely, Sandy Martin R.N. District NurseOct. 16 Board meeting synopsis
[posted 10/19/07 - 11/1/07]
Find out what happened at the October 16, 2007 Board of Education meeting by reading the October 16 synopsis.
The District 116 School Board of Education is made up of seven elected members. Board meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of each month. (There are no board meetings scheduled in July.) The public is welcome to attend.
2007 Homecoming Parade pictures
[posted 10/13/07 - 11/01/07]
Enjoy the 2007 UHS Homecoming Parade photographs.
Free UHS Orchestra Concert tonight!
[posted 10/23/07 - 10/25/07]
The Urbana High School Orchestra's first concert of the year will take place tonight, Tuesday, October 23, at Urbana Middle School from 7-7:40 p.m. with refreshments after the concert.
The orchestra will perform:
- Hoedown from Copland's Rodeo (featured in some beef commercials)
- Gaelic Overture (an irish fiddle tune and dance)
- Barber of Seville by Rossini (comic opera)
- Nimrod by Elgar
- Anitra's Dance and In the Hall of the Mountain King
Admission is free. Donations are appreciated to help students who need instruments and/or need help fixing them. Blossom basket Flower Cards will be available for $30 a piece.
Free UHS Choir Concert tonight!
[posted 10/23/07 - 10/25/07]
The Urbana High School Choral Department is holding their annual fall concert this evening, Tuesday, October 23, from 7-8 p.m. in the Oscar Adams Gymnasium at Urbana High School. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated to support their scholarship fund.
Each fall the Choral Department invites special guests to participate in the program. In the past, groups from the University of Illinois (such as the Black Chorus and Men's Glee Club) have performed. This year, Dr. Barrington Coleman will be guest conductor of all of the choirs. In addition to Dr. Coleman, the University of Illinois Cutting Edge Show Choir will be opening the concert.
Order forms for Choir Apparel will be available. Items such as wind jackets, polos, long-sleeved t-shirts, sweat pants, hooded sweatshirts and stocking caps will be sold at cost in the hope that people will wear them to support the choir in the community.
Tickets to the Broadway Musical Hairspray, showing at the Assembly Hall on Thursday, November 29, also will be available for purchase.
Oct. 2 Board meeting synopsis
[posted 10/3/0/7 - 10/19/07]
Find out what happened at the October 2, 2007 Board of Education meeting by reading the October 2 synopsis.
The District 116 School Board of Education is made up of seven elected members. Board meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of each month. (There are no board meetings scheduled in July.) The public is welcome to attend.
No School / Early Dismissal Fri. 10/5 - No School Mon. 10/8
[posted 10/4/07 - 10/9/07]
On Friday, October 5 there will be Staff Development Day Activities. There is No School for Elementary Students and Early Dismissal at UMS: 1:15 p.m. and UHS: 12:26 p.m. On Monday, October 8 there is No School for all grade levels for Fall Holiday.
View the entire 2007-08 calendar