October 5, 2009

Dear Parents,
As you know, we are in the midst of the flu season.  We hope that everyone can stay healthy over the upcoming fall break.  We at NYOS are actively working to keep the spread of flu to a minimum by wiping down surfaces with antibacterial sprays and cloths, taking hand washing breaks during the class day, and monitoring students for signs of illness.  We want to keep the school open to students and functioning in a normal manner during this flu season. But, we need your help to do this.
As you know, flu can be easily spread from person to person.  To reduce the spread, here are a few things you can do to help.

• Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. You can set a good example by doing this yourself.

• 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.

• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit, 37.8 degrees Celsius 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.

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

• 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.

For more information about NYOS’s health policies, see the parent handbook.  For more information about the flu visit www.flu.gov, or call
1-800-CDC-INFO for the most current information. 
For more information about flu in our community visit http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/txflu/default.shtm. 
For information about immunizations, visit http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/flu.shtm.
We are working closely with the Texas Education Agency and the Austin/Travis County health department to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning schools. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Zimmermann, Executive Director

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August 16, 2009

NYOS Charter School has been rated "Recognized” by Texas Education Agency.

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May 6, 2009

En Español (PDF)

Dear NYOS Community,

Both NYOS campuses will re-open at their normal times on Thursday, May 7.

Extracurricular activities will also resume Thursday, May 7th.

This afternoon, we received revised guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Texas Education Agency (TEA), and health officials giving the ok for schools to re-open.  See the following links for more information:

CDC

TEA

School facilities are already in the process of being cleaned according to CDC and TX State Department of Health guidelines.  All facilities will be cleaned prior to re-opening Thursday, May 7.

The teacher and student diagnosed with flu are being treated.  We do not yet have confirmation of Swine flu/North American flu/H1N1 virus.  However, we feel it is prudent to re-open the campuses based on the guidance we receive from health officials.  If you have a unique health situation, please do not hesitate to call or email me at kzimmermann@nyos.org  or (512) 583-6967 Ext. 374.

We continue to monitor closely the health of our community.  Please let us know immediately if you or a family member becomes ill.  Students or staff with influenza-like illness (fever with a cough or sore throat) should stay home and not attend school or go into the community except to seek medical care for at least 7 days, even if symptoms resolve sooner. 

We encourage staff, students, and families to practice everyday preventative actions.
•Wash hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water. 
•Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when there is no access to soap and water.
•Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.  Dispose of tissue in a trash can.
•Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.
•Stay home from work, school, or errands when sick.
•If one has a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, remain home until 24 hours fever free and off any type of fever-reducing medication.

We will send additional updates regarding TAKS and AP testing schedules and ACC classes.  We will definitely not have TAKS tests May 7th or 8th.  The earliest potential TAKS testing date is May 11th.

Regarding make-up days, we are not planning to extend school beyond June 5th.   We continue to discuss other alternatives based on evolving information from TEA. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.  Seeing the NYOS community in action, providing support for the school and for each other, is truly inspiring.

Kathleen Zimmermann
Executive Director

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May 4, 2009

Students registered for Professor Quinn’s HIST 1302-026 class at NYOS campus will not meet while the campus is closed.  This ACC class will meet as usual on May 12th and students will have their final as previously scheduled on May 14th.  Students will not be responsible for information that we are not able to cover this week due to the school closure. 

All students registered for ACC classes on an ACC campus should attend class as regularly scheduled unless they have flu-like symptoms.  In this case, a student should contact their professor.

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May 3, 2009

En Español (PDF)

Updates

Students and Staff Health:
- One NYOS 1st grader was diagnosed with flu.  We do not know what type of flu the student has.  We notified all classmates and the teacher.  This student has siblings in 3rd and 10th grades.  So far as we know, the siblings are not sick. 
- Regarding the teacher with the first case of flu, that teacher’s condition is the same.  We check in daily.
Please be sure to contact us if you or a family member becomes ill.

Academics:
- We are checking into schedules for TAKS make up tests.
- For now, AP tests will be held as scheduled May 12th-14th.
- We have contacted ACC regarding the ACC US History class that meets on the NYOS campus.  That class will not meet as long as the Lamar campus is closed.  
- If you have a student enrolled in courses held at the ACC campus, please contact ACC regarding this week’s attendance.  We have contacted ACC ourselves, but have not received a response.  We will post information as quickly as we receive it.

School Schedule:
- We are actively gathering information regarding make-up days.  We recognize this is of utmost importance to those of you with established vacation plans.  We will send out information as soon as we have it.
- We are monitoring the timeline for school closure as we receive more information.  Please remain flexible and prepared to return to school.

Communications:
- We are creating methods for phone communications to parents.  Please make sure your student’s teacher/homeroom teacher has your most current phone number(s).

Kathleen Zimmermann
Executive Director

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May 1, 2009

Update 3:15pm

We have notified parents of students in the affected teacher's class and a nearby class.  We have contacted the parents of all children who are members of these classes.  If your child exhibits any signs or symptoms of the flu, please contact a health professional and notify the school.

Before the school re-opens, we will take all recommended precautions to clean the buildings.  A cleaning service has already been secured. 

Thanks,

Kathleen

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May 1, 2009

En Español (PDF)

Dear NYOS Community Members,

A NYOS teacher from the Magnolia McCullough campus tested positive for flu the night of April 30, 2009.  While it is not certain, it is likely a case of the Swine Flu/North American Flu.  

Due to the potential seriousness of the situation, both NYOS campuses will be closed from May 1, 2009 through May 11, 2009. 

All school-related activities both on and off campus are also cancelled during this time.

We will continue to evaluate this timeline as additional information becomes available.
Symptoms of Swine/North American Flu in people are similar to those of regular or seasonal flu and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite and coughing. Some with Swine/North American Flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If students, family members, or staff members experience any of the symptoms of flu, they should call their personal healthcare providers for guidance regarding evaluation and treatment.  Please also notify me if a student or staff member is ill with flu-like symptoms.  Be sure to let me know if any family member has traveled to Mexico within seven days of the onset of flu-like symptoms.
Contact information
Phone: (512)583-6967 ext 374  Email: kzimmermann@nyos.org

We continue to encourage staff, students, and families to practice everyday preventative actions.
•Wash hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water. 
•Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when there is no access to soap and water.
•Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.  Dispose of tissue in trash can.
•Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.
•Stay home from work, school, or errands when sick.
•If one has a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, remain home until 24 hours fever free and off any type of fever-reducing medication.

If you would like more information on Swine/North American Flu, see the following resources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Texas Department of State Health Services

Novel Influenza Virus Guidelines for Congregate Facilities

The school will re-open on May 11th unless we communicate otherwise.  We will be in touch with more information as it becomes available.  Updates will be posted here as well as main school entrances.

We recognize the sudden inconvenience of school closure, especially for working parents.  Your children’s well-being is our utmost concern.  We believe closing the school is the most prudent measure to keep everyone as healthy as possible.

Kathleen Zimmermann
Executive Director

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April 30, 2009

Dear NYOS Community Members,

I am writing to reach out to our community regarding the Swine Flu outbreak in and around Central Texas.  There has been much media attention regarding the Swine Flu in Texas.  At the time of this writing, there is one probable case of Swine Flu (also known as North American Flu) in the Austin area.  We are continuing to monitor the situation closely for the development of new cases.  We will issue further updates and make additional recommendations regarding appropriate precautions for NYOS students and staff as new information becomes available.

We encourage staff, students, and families to practice everyday preventative actions.

•Wash hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water. 
•Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when there is no access to soap and water.
•Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.  Dispose of tissue in trash can.
•Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.
•Stay home from work, school, or errands when sick.
•If one has a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, remain home until 24 hours fever free and off any type of fever-reducing medication.

Symptoms of Swine/North American Flu in people are similar to those of regular or seasonal flu and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite and coughing. Some with Swine/North American Flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If students, family members, or staff members experience any of the symptoms of flu, they should call their personal healthcare providers for guidance regarding evaluation and treatment.  Please also notify the front desk at the Lamar or Magnolia campuses if a student or staff member is ill with flu-like symptoms.  Be sure to let us know if any family member has traveled to Mexico within seven days of the onset of flu-like symptoms.

If you would like more information on Swine/North American Flu, see the following resources:

Texas Department of State Health Services 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Regards,
Kathleen Zimmermann
Executive Director
NYOS Charter School

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April 15, 2009

NYOS Charter School is sharing the following information about the district and your child’s campus with you as part of its obligation under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

MM Campus Report Card (PDF)
Yager Campus Report Card (PDF)

If you have questions about the information, please contact Carla Silber at (512) 583-6967  ext. 375 or csilber@nyos.org.

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February 19, 2009

2009-2010 Approved Calendar (PDF)