Pertussis (whooping cough)
Maine, like many other states, has been experiencing an increasing number of
pertussis (whooping cough) cases over the past year. During January 1-May 11, 2012,
55 pertussis cases have been reported to Maine CDC from 9 Maine counties. More than
200 cases of pertussis were reported to Maine CDC during 2011, far exceeding the 53
reported cases in 2010 and the 10-year average of 82 cases per year. Clusters of pertussis
have occurred in schools, child care centers, camps, sport teams and workplaces.
Pertussis is a highly communicable, vaccine-preventable disease that can last for many
weeks. It is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory secretions of infected
persons. Classic pertussis symptoms include paroxysmal cough, whoop, and post-tussive
vomiting. Pertussis can cause serious illness and can even be life-threatening, especially
in infants. More than half of infants less than 1 year of age who get pertussis must be
hospitalized.
Most children have been immunized for whooping cough. However, what most
people don’t realize is that the immunization wears off 5 to 10 years after the last routine
vaccination shot, typically administered when children are between 4 and 6 years old.
That means approximately 5 years after your child’s last DPT immunization, your child
could be vulnerable and unprotected against whooping cough. The Centers for Disease
Control & Prevention recommend that if it has been 5 years or more since your children
received their last DPT (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) immunization that they
receive a booster vaccine known as Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis). This is a
recommendation for 10 year old children. This shot replaces the tetanus shot (Td) that
is usually given to preteens and teens. However, the vaccine should not be given to any
child who is allergic or has had a reaction to any part of the vaccine in the past. Talk to
your children’s doctor about the Tdap vaccination to determine if your child is eligible.
***Studies show that infected children and adolescents/young adults may infect
vulnerable infants and young children that have not completed their immunization
schedule.
*** According to the CDC, as an adult, one dose of Tdap is recommended for
everyone per lifetime. Adults are the number one people who infect children.
Besides immunization, the practice of the following good hygiene tips may
prevent you and your children from getting whooping cough.
• When coughing or sneezing, cough into your upper sleeve or use a tissue.
• Wash your hands with warm water and soap thoroughly immediately after
sneezing or coughing.
• Immediately throw away all used tissues in a trash can.
• Wash commonly used surfaces with antibacterial cleaners often to prevent the
spreading of germs.
• Do not share food or drinks with anyone.
• Wash hands often
• Eat healthy, balanced meals.
• Get plenty of rest.
• If your child/children are ill, keep them home.
To parents, citizens and taxpayers
On behalf of the students and School Board I would like to thank all of you who
were able to make it to the polls yesterday in support of the school budget. While we
greatly appreciate this vote of confidence and support we will continue to make every
effort to identify ways to contain costs while preserving and improving the educational
program for your children.
Thank You
Kenneth L. Coville
Letter from the Superintendent
To the Parents, Taxpayers and Citizens of MSAD/RSU #74,
I am pleased to make this second annual report to you as part of the presentation of the 2012-13 proposed budget. This has been a very active year with many initiatives and projects happening here in the School District.
I am pleased to report that the school district continues to make strides in improving the educational program at all levels which the principals and director will report more specifically on in their reports.
We were very fortunate this past year to be selected as one of five school districts in Maine to participate in the Maine Schools for Excellence project. This project focuses on three core areas for the improvement of instruction. First, the development of a new teacher and principal’s performance assessment system that is effective in identifying and addressing instructional weaknesses and in recognizing and supporting instructional strengths. We have begun that process with an entirely new evidence based supervisor evaluation system this year. This will be expanded next year to include student and parent survey feedback on teacher effectiveness, measures of student learning outcomes and self and peer assessment. The second focus of the project is professional development. This year, all elementary teachers participated in the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards “Take One” process. This is the first step in teachers completing the very rigorous and effective National Certification process. The third focus is in the area of compensation. Working with the local Teachers Association MSAD/RSU #74 became the first school district in the state to negotiate a teacher pay scale where teachers’ compensation is tied to growth in student achievement.
This year we were also selected as the only school district in Maine for inclusion in the National Education Association Priority Schools Campaign. This project focuses on providing financial and technical support for schools where the faculty, administration and school board have joined together collaboratively to improve the school programs for students. As part of this program the NEA and MEA will be making professional development available to our faculty at no cost to local taxpayers. In addition we will have the opportunity to partner with teacher candidate students from UMF to provide supplemental tutorial type services to our students in need. Recently the local teachers Association hosted their first annual community get together night as part of this project and they plan to have more of these events in the future.
