Ector County Independent School District eNewsletter
10/2/15
In This Issue

Lemonade Day is here!

On Saturday, October 3, more than 250 lemonade stands will dot the Odessa landscape as students get a first-hand lesson on starting and running their own businesses. The link below or the QR Code will take to a map of the stands' locations. Check it out and then go buy some lemonade between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on the 3rd.

 
 
What is Lemonade Day? Read more here www.odessa.lemonadeday.org
College Night draws a crowd
 
It is a great opportunity to get information about getting into college. A great place to talk face-to-face with college representatives from around Texas and well beyond. And it is growing every year! Read more about ECISD College Night 
Tips for battling the Shigella bacteria
 
By now we hope everyone is aware of the Shigellosis illness moving through our schools and community. As of today there are five confirmed cases of Shigellosis involving our school district students and staff. We were notified of the first three on Monday - two students at Blackshear and one at Sam Houston. We received word of the fourth student on Wednesday -at Noel. We have now learned that a staff member at Sam Houston was also confirmed. There are also probable cases involving students, and we are receiving numerous calls from parents saying their children are sick with the Shigellosis symptoms. Many if not all of those students will likely not be tested for the illness, just simply treated for it, so they won't  be considered "confirmed cases" by the Health Department.

After discussing it with Health Department officials, we feel the best course of action right now is to require anyone with this illness to provide a doctors' note saying they are cleared by the physician to return to school before allowing them back to class or work. If there are any new medical recommendations we will get that information to you as quickly as we can. All week our custodial department tried to get ahead of this bacteria by using a strong disinfectant in the effected schools; now we have made the decision to use this same disinfectant in all schools. We are told this can spread very quickly so the cleaning and public awareness are the biggest keys to keeping it under control. Washing hands with soap and water, and doing that often, is the best method for prevention. Shigellosis is caused by the bacterium called Shigella. The sickness causes diarrhea, abdominal cramps and high fever. You should get medical treatment right away if you or a family member has these symptoms.
New VIPS Orientation 
 
Are you a VIP? Would you like to be one? Our newest group of Volunteers in Public Schools were welcomed and walked through their orientation this week but the application period is always open.
Check out our album of pictures from the orientation here - you may see someone you know!
 
If you'd like to apply, go here
 
 
Don Quixote Award winner
 
Congratulations to Permian High School assistant principal Ysmael Lujan, honored with the Don Quixote Award given to an outstanding Hispanic Educator by the Hispanic Heritage of Odessa.
 
Mr. Lujan is a 30-year veteran in education, and has worked as a teacher, coach, junior high principal and assistant principal. He is a first generation college graduate, and says he made up his mind to be a teacher when he was selected to be a tutor in 3rd grade.
 
He says, "My educational philosophy is to create an atmosphere of positive continuous learning where everyone has input and feels validated in making educational decisions for all students." Well done, Mr. Lujan!

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