Research shows targeted or focused reading intervention bridges the gap between students who are proficient readers and those with reading deficiencies. This is accomplished through targeted instruction of key literacy skills and strategies. The same idea holds true for math. We now have reliable student data to help us identify deficiencies, along with research-based curriculum through Sonday System/Essentials and SuccessMaker to help us close these gaps. Targeted and focused Tier 2 intervention results in significant academic gains....this is based on research. Our IE (Intervention/Enrichment) Block is protected time. Every teacher should be working with the group of students designated in his/her IE planning document . . . every single day. Please utilize every moment of this block. We will ramp up our IE Block walkthrough focus for the remainder of the year. Please remember, other students should be enriched during this time so they are also growing from this dedicated time. If you need anything at all to support you in these efforts, please do not hesitate to let us know.

Health and Safety Reminders

Since we have added some new students, it is a good time to review health and safety guidelines.

1) On Monday....Please check your student desks and make sure they are a minimum of 3 feet apart. This is a requirement from the Alabama Department of Public Health. If you need assistance with this, please let us know.

2) Please make sure students are not sharing any materials.

3) Please ensure you have a safe process for selecting and checking out books from your classroom library.

4) Continue to follow state mandates for masks, but include mask breaks as needed, especially when outdoors.

5) Make sure handwashing/sanitizing is built into your schedule throughout the day.

Wednesday Collaboration

We will meet in the South Collaboration Room to continue our professional learning with AimsWebPlus and SuccessMaker. For grades 2-5, we will also focus much of this time to ACAP.

Thursday Afternoon

Math Teachers (especially those who have not had the opportunity to participate in the Math EMT in previous years) are invited to the Math PLC meeting from 2:15-3:15 in the South Collaboration Room.

Board Appreciation Month

January is Board Appreciation Month, and we have such a supportive and amazing school board. If your class or hall would like to make a card(s) for the board, please get them to us by Friday, January 22 (the Board meets again on January 25th).

PAINE PRECEPTS

The following are the first in our series of precepts written by our 5th grade students. They will be announced each day for the remainder of the school year.

Monday: If we were all the same, the world would not be as colorful; use your differences to brighten up the world. - Hannah Osborne (Brasher HR)

Tuesday: Be that one star that stands out most in the sky! - Preston Mosley (Darnell HR)

Wednesday: Your biggest wins are when no one is watching; win in the dark. - Hudson Mitchell (Darnell HR)

Thursday: A needle in a haystack is like success in a bunch of failure. If you try and work hard, your failures will motivate you to do better and better and finally find success like finding a needle in a haystack. - Cole Stephens (Bryant HR)

Friday: If you inspire others, you are showing others they can rely on you. - Madee Potts (Bryant HR)

COVID Vaccine Resources

Alabama Dept of Health—COVID-19 Vaccine

For provider information regarding vaccinations, visit COVID-19 Vaccination Provider Support.

For frequently asked questions regarding COVID-19 vaccine, visit COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ.

For data on vaccination allocation and administration in Alabama, visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Dashboard.

Vaccine Status

Two vaccines have been authorized for emergency use by U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine: The vaccine is authorized for emergency use in persons aged 16 years and older. This is a two-dose vaccine, given 21 days apart. Clinical trial data show the vaccine is 95 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 infection starting seven days after the second dose. Individuals will not be considered fully protected until one to two weeks after they receive the second dose. The clinical trials revealed no major unanticipated adverse events. This vaccine arrived in Alabama on December 14.

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine: This vaccine is authorized for emergency use in individuals aged 18 years and older. This is a two-dose vaccine, given 28 days apart. Clinical trial data shows the vaccine is about 94 percent effective after two doses. No serious safety concerns were found. This vaccine arrived in Alabama on December 21.

Multiple COVID-19 vaccines are also still under development. Large-scale (Phase 3) clinical trials are in progress or being planned for two additional COVID-19 vaccines in the United States.

Planning and Distribution

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is putting everything in place to distribute and administer vaccine doses as quickly as possible, but only after vaccine safety has been reviewed and approved by a panel of top health experts. ADPH is currently working to pre-position COVID-19 vaccine in several locations statewide to ensure equitable and timely distribution to federally designated critical populations.

Current federal funding will support partnerships with local health jurisdictions and tribal entities, mass vaccination clinics, vendor contracts, and staffing. ADPH has redirected some current staff to this program and is hiring additional positions to support this work.

ADPH submitted its COVID-19 Vaccination Plan to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The goal of the plan is to immunize everyone who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Prioritization and Availability (As of January 4)

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) knows that many Alabamians are interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available to their risk group. As the supply of COVID-19 vaccine is limited at the moment, ADPH is following the guidance of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for prioritization of risk groups.

View the Alabama COVID‐19 Vaccination Allocation Plan(Revised 01/06/21) which defines populations and the order in which they will receive vaccine in four phases. Note: This document is a draft and will be updated as additional guidance from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is available.

Alabama has had COVID-19 vaccine in our state for three weeks. As of January 4, there have been 42,810 vaccine doses administered out of our initial allocation of 226,250 doses. See our COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Dashboard. Alabama is in Phase 1a, consisting of 300,000 healthcare workers. The week of December 28, residents of Long-Term Care began vaccination through the federal Pharmacy Partnership.

Some counties have been able to intermittently vaccinate persons age 75 years and older once the uptake of vaccine for Phase 1a has been satisfied for a daily clinic. ADPH will continue to work with community partners to vaccinate persons in Phase 1a and, as supply allows, persons 75 years and above.

Once persons in Phase 1a have been administered or offered the vaccine, Alabama will move into Phase 1b. ADPH does not have a timeline on this as ability to move to the next Phase is dependent on vaccine supply.

When Alabama moves to Phase 1b, ADPH will send notices to doctors, pharmacies, urgent cares, rural health clinics, and other providers so they can advise their patients. ADPH will also provide information through various outlets including social media, news releases, and other coverage. This notification will happen with subsequent phases as well.

The Medical Association of the State of Alabama provides a list of Phase 1a physician categories that have been prioritized for the initial doses and vaccine clinic locations with appointment dates and times on their Resources for Physicians website and Vaccine for Providers toolkit.

The vaccine will be free to all Americans. ADPH has no specific timetable about when members of the general public can be vaccinated. As the supply of vaccine remains limited, ADPH continues to urge the public to practice the measures needed to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Alabama residents should continue to exercise caution by minimizing travel and avoiding gatherings of people beyond their immediate household.

Even if you get vaccinated, we recommend you continue with the other prevention measures, such as washing your hands, wearing a mask, staying six feet apart, and limiting gatherings. Visit Prevention and Treatment for more information.

Saturday, January 9, 2021

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