Susan Barr
Kern Valley Sun

Kernville Union School District Nurse Randy Fieber and Superintendent Robin Shive presented the district’s N1H1 (Swine Flu) Prevention Plan at the Oct. 13 Board of Trustees meeting at Wallace Elementary School in Lake Isabella.

The policy has several guidelines; keeping students home when they are sick, separating ill students and staff from healthy students and staff, practicing good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, routine cleaning of all areas and items that are in frequent contact with hands, early treatment of high-risk students and staff and selective school dismissal.

Stephanie Pope, principal at Wallace Elementary and Middle Schools, adresses the board at their monthly meeting Oct. 13.

Aileen De Lapp, Principal of Kernville Elementary School, gave the district’s AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) and API (Academic Progress Index) scores. In a letter to DeLapp, Kern County Superintendent of Schools Christine Frazier, said, “The fact that your school met its API growth targets for 2008-2009 is due to the leadership and commitment of your staff.”

Wallace Principal Stephanie Pope reported that despite changing enrollment and the reorganization of several classes, staff and students, “are rolling with punches and doing well.” Pope also discussed initiating a voluntary student savings plan, developed by the two elementary school’s PTC’s and the school principals, to assist fourth and fifth grade students in saving money for the sixth grade trip to Camp KEEP. Letters explaining the program will be going home to parents later in the month.

Susan Barr, Wallace Elementary PTC Secretary reported the new outdoor school sign, purchased by the PTC, has been installed on the front wall of the school, providing information about school activities and events. Barr said parent and staff feedback has been positive.

District Superintendent Robin Shive reported about the continued effectiveness of the SARB program (Student Attendance Review Board.) She spoke of the Safe Schools Ambassador Program, saying, “This program empowers the students to step in wherever they see bullying. They also learn how to divert such a situation in the first place.” Shive is also proceeding with the establishment of a Discipline Committee.

MOT Supervisor Dennis Voller gave a brief update on the construction activity on the Wallace Middle School campus. Aside from minor changes to a couple of classrooms, the modernization is complete. He said the new gymnasium/community use building is nearing completion. Voller said he was hopeful that it would be ready in early November.

There was discussion about the most appropriate way to commemorate the new gym, but nothing definite was decided.

The next board meeting will take place on Nov. 10 at Kernville Elementary School. As always, the public is welcome to attend.