Flu at school… not out of line
Despite reports of several diagnoses of flu in the area, absences at Siuslaw Schools have not been out of the ordinary. That’s according to Superintendent Andy Grzeskowiak.
He said while there have been “waves” of absences going through each grade, they’ve not been at the same time, and they’ve not been considered out of line.
For example, Monday there were 30 students missing from the middle school. With an enrollment of about 300, that was about ten percent. That’s the upper limit of what is usually termed “typical”.
Grzeskowiak said they compile reasons given for absences and many of them do appear to be for “flu-like symptoms”.
Three weeks ago the highest absence rates were in the elementary school; two weeks ago it was in the high school… and this week it is in the middle school.
Custodial staff, he added, always takes extra care this time of year to make sure to clean and sanitize common surfaces to prevent the spread of illness.
Lane says farewell to Kuhar
There were two farewells this week at Lane Community College; both for the same person. Monday, on main campus, a farewell reception was held for the Executive Dean of the School of Professional and Technical Careers. The next day in Florence, a small gathering was held for M.J. Kuhar who served as the Dean of the Florence Center for three years before moving on to take the higher post in Eugene.
Kuhar is leaving Lane for Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton where she will be the Vice President of Instruction.
Kuhar’s successor in Florence, Russ Pierson, described her as being a wonderful model of “ever-learning, growing and expanding her personal and professional capacity”.
Kuhar said she will miss Lane, but especially the Florence community.
Turn Black Friday into Green Friday
A new tradition for the day after Thanksgiving is being suggested. Instead of Black Friday you should consider making it “Green Friday”.
Oregon Parks and Recreation managers, along with their counterparts at Fish and Wildlife are promoting family time in the great outdoors as an alternative to a trip to the mall.
To make it more attractive, both agencies are waiving fees for Friday and Saturday next week.
That means you can visit a State Park day-use area without paying a fee… and you can go fishing, crabbing or clamming without a license those two days.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman Rick Hargrave said “getting outside fishing and enjoying Oregon’s natural areas is a great way to spend quality family time over the holidays.”
Spruce Point to host memory screenings
Memory screenings will be offered November 22nd as part of the National Memory Screening initiative of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. A screening is the first step towards the proper diagnosis and treatment of memory disorders including Alzheimers and dementia. The confidential screenings will be conducted at Spruce Point Assisted Living and Memory Care on 9th Street in Florence. The screenings will be held between 10 and 3pm and are free, but you should make an appointment by calling 541-902-7945
Council to consider engineering contract for utility extension
The Florence City Council will review a proposed engineering contract Monday night for extension of water and wastewater services to areas of Highway 126 just east of the current City Limits.
Water services to the recently annexed “Pier 126” property in that area and several other properties in the area will be extended. A connector line from there to the Coastal Highlands neighborhood will then be completed to make a “loop”. Waste water lines will also be extended to the area.
The total estimated cost for the extensions are expected to be $670-thousand. The engineering and design fee will be $87,422.
In addition to the engineering contract, City Councilors will also review a proposed contract for land-clearing at the new Public Works Facility on Kingwood Street and talk about committee and commission vacancies for the coming year.
The Council meets at six pm, at City Hall.
