Grain Valley High School students experienced a week filled with numerous and unforgettable moments, including daily activities created to unite classmates of each grade from freshmen to seniors, sophomores and juniors.
Each class worked together to create and make available T-shirts for their graduating class as part of the spirit week celebration.
Tractor Tuesday is a unique Grain Valley homecoming tradition that seems to survive year after year. Students are allowed to drive tractors or other farm equipment to school, some wore John Deere apparel.
Friday evening seniors retained their championship at the annual powder-puff football game. Saturday morning most of the community got involved in the homecoming parade, then the soccer team played in a championship game.
Of course the Eagles football team played on the field before the fun- filled week ended.
Saturday evening the homecoming dance was held at GVHS and has been described by students in all grades as the best dance ever.
Unfortunately, by Monday morning students, teachers, and public school administrators began to see an influx of absences due to illness and those suffering with flu-like symptoms.
“Why can’t we get this under control” area parents continue to express.
I spoke with the Grain Valley superintendent’s office and was told there is no actual policy in place at this time for an H1N1 flu outbreak. I was told, “The administration is fully aware of the attendance problem at the high school and monitoring it.”
At this time the same attendance policies which include the revocation of privileges and the possibility of losing future financial scholarship awards such as the A+ program remain the same. This deters students from staying home when they are sick.
To close the school or make a change the entire district will have to experience 80 percent absence from school – out of the total students attending all of Grain Valley Public Schools, not per school.
The high school is currently experiencing record-breaking number of absences due to flu symptoms including fever, but elementary schools are not seeing the same numbers.
Teens and young adults are having the more health problems from H1N1 than other age groups.
Frequent hand washing and using a water bottle instead of drinking fountains can help reduce the chance of a student becoming infected or bringing the virus home to other family members. Policies can be changed and you are encouraged to contact your child’s school and express concerns with the principal. If your answers are not met call the Superintendent’s office at 816-847-5006.
