·        Where’s the beef? On hold in our freezers for another week as we wait for the answers to two questions: did we receive any of the beef in question from a California meatpacking plant (our preliminary information said we did not), and does any of the beef from that plant actually pose a health risk? We are being as precautious as possible. Food Services next week will bring in commercial beef products not affected by the USDA investigation to fill out the regularly planned school menu. We will let you know when we receive definitive answers about how to proceed. In the meantime, here’s information about how our kitchens focus on sanitation and safety every day:

 

§         The Health Department inspects all of our school kitchens at least twice a year, and Health Department officials conduct one educational visit with our Food Service employees each year.

§         All kitchen workers have food handlers cards, and there is never any hand-to-hand contact with food because all staff wear gloves.

§         All food is tempered before it is served to assure it’s heated properly to minimize the chance of food-borne illness.

§         Staff members check dishwasher rinse cycle temperatures at least once a day to ensure the water is hot enough to kill bacteria. They do the same for refrigerators to make sure they are cold enough.

§         All open perishable food is dated and discarded after three days if not used.

§         Disinfecting water with the correct ratio of bleach is used to wipe down surfaces after each use.

§         Kitchen workers are expected to stay home if they have any cold or flu symptoms.

 

·        Heads up: Because of WASL testing, schools will operate with altered bell schedules on Wednesday March 12 and April 16.

 

·        Parents of preschool-aged children are invited to apply for an exciting opportunity: The Issaquah School District would like typically developing youngsters to be a part of Early Childhood Education classrooms that serve children with special needs at Apollo, Discovery, and Sunset elementary schools. Each Early Childhood Education classrooms will have up to 12 children with special needs and at least three typically developing peers—who will pay no cost to participate in the preschool program. Research shows that such combined learning opportunities benefit both special-needs children and typically developing children. Students must be at least 3 years old by June 1, 2008, to participate.  Any parent interested can pick up an application and get more information at the main office of Apollo, Discovery, or Sunset Elementary. Applications are due March 26. For more information, call Diane Roth, 425-837-7185.

 

 

·        Forget “American Idol,” set your DVR for “Teacher Idol” this month. Beaver Lake Science teacher Kathy Boudreau-Stroud has won a KCTS 9 Golden Apple award for her extraordinary work in the classroom. The ceremony and short documentaries about the Golden Apple winners will air at 8 p.m. Thursday, February 21, and again at 1 a.m. on Saturday, February 23.

 

·        Washington State University is holding a contest called Imagine Tomorrow to reward students for creating real solutions to address the world’s growing demand for energy.  Winners will have the chance to develop their solution and could receive up to $5,000 in prize money.

 

·        Mark your calendars: You are invited to an important parent seminar about teenage alcohol and drug use on March 6 at Skyline High School. Participants will learn: how drug use affects adolescent brain development, tips to engage with youth and family treatment, how to communicate concerns about substance use to teens, and how to get support.

 

·        Why keep student artwork on the refrigerator when it can be shared with the entire community?