Focus Learning Academy

Important Information for Parents about Pertussis (Whooping Cough) and Seasonal Flu Update

Nick — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:37:21 +0000

The Columbus Public Health & Franklin County Board of Health has informed us about a recent increase in the cases of Pertussis locally. Please take a moment to view this Educational Flyer to learn more about Pertussis and how to prevent infection. Focus Academy takes this threat seriously and we will take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of infection at our schools. Also, please remember that Flu Season is just around the corner and the best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this year recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1 and two other influenza viruses.

The flu vaccine is expected to be readily available throughout the community. Check with your doctor, pharmacy or stop in your local grocery or drug store to be vaccinated. Please watch for more information from your local public health department.

Keep reading to learn more about Pertussis and what the Columbus Public Health & Franklin County Board of Health has recommended to help prevent the spread of this infection at Focus Learning Academy.

Pertussis Information for Schools — August 31, 2010

Columbus has seen a rise in pertussis cases (whooping cough) over the last several months, which is unusual for summer. As of August 9th, 336 cases were reported so far this year in Franklin County (including Columbus) with 203 of those confirmed, compared to a yearly total of 350 reported cases, 198 of those confirmed in 2009.

With school back in session, please take steps to protect the children in your schools by monitoring illness, reporting cases of pertussis and promoting vaccinations.

About Pertussis

Pertussis is a bacterial respiratory disease that spreads easily and often begins with cold-like symptoms. The disease often proceeds to a severe, constant cough that ends with a “whoop” sound, primarily in younger children. Older children, teens and adults may not have the “whoop”. The cough is sometimes followed by vomiting. Usually there is little or no fever. The disease is spread by close contact with respiratory secretions. Young infants may require hospitalization.

The best way to prevent pertussis is through vaccinations. The childhood vaccine is called DTaP. The pertussis booster vaccine for adolescents and adults is called Tdap. Both protect against pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria.

Action Steps for Schools

Educate parents about pertussis and the recommendation that anyone 11 years of age and older get the pertussis booster Tdap. Parent Educational Flyer
Watch for signs of illness at your school and enforce illness policies.
Report pertussis cases as soon as possible. Staff responsible for reporting illness for your district (within Franklin County) should call the Columbus & Franklin County Communicable Disease Reporting System at (614) 719-8888.
As an adult working in the schools, get your Tdap vaccination if you have not done so. Contact your healthcare provider, local retail pharmacy clinic, or local health department for vaccine availability. Also promote the vaccination among your staff.
Continue to promote good infection control: wash your hands, cover your cough, and stay home when sick.

Seasonal Flu 2010-2011 Update

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this year recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1 and two other influenza viruses.

Teresa C. Long, MD, MPH
Health Commissioner
City of Columbus
www.publichealth.columbus.gov

Susan Tilgner, MS, LD, RD, RS
Health Commissioner
Franklin County Board of Health
www.franklincountyohio.gov/health

Focus Basketball Teams Learn Winning is About More than Just a Final Score

Nick — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:21:44 +0000

The Focus basketball program began as nothing more than open gym time at Driving Park to give students an opportunity to play with others. With over 60 participants though, not everyone was getting court time, so an intramural league was stared. Geary Godfrey, head coach, says the six team names are representative of the leagues’ core values: Courage, Unity, Loyalty, Respect, Integrity and Pride. This season, teams played every Tuesday from January 27 through March 9.

In addition to the intramural teams, a traveling team comprised of students from all three Academies traveled to high schools and recreation centers around central Ohio and play scrimmage/games with other teams. Head Coach Godfrey says one of the team’s most notable games was against Harvest Prep. While the Focus team lost, they still scored an impressive 67 points and were never far behind, playing their hardest until the last buzzer. “It’s not just the points on the board that defines how a team performs. We were down pretty much the whole game, but our kids fought. They never thought they were out of it,” said Godfrey. The traveling team played ten games this season and finished with the record of 8-2.

Focus North also has a team in a league with other charter schools and recreational teams at New Covenant Believers Church. They are currently 6-2 and doing a great job. Two players from the team where even selected to play in the all-star game at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland and were also invited to watch a Cavaliers game.

All of the Focus players were celebrated and honored at the Focus basketball banquet on March 26 at the Driving Park Recreation Center.

CBI Gives Back

Nick — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:20:03 +0000

This past October, CBI students at all three Focus locations embarked upon a service-learning initiative called CBI Gives Back. CBI teachers challenged students to collect items to make baskets for four lucky students at their schools. There was no cost to enter the raffle for the baskets. The main point was to teach students the value of doing good deeds for others, without any expectations of personal gain. Although the original intent of CBI Gives Back was for students to bring in all the items themselves, it quickly turned into a community event. Students, staff, CBI advisory board members, parents and community members all donated items to help make the event a huge success. A total of four baskets were awarded for each school: two baby baskets for students who are parents, one male basket and one female basket. The baby baskets included items such as diapers, wipes, bottles, baby food and creams. The male/female baskets included snacks and personal hygiene items.

Congratulations to the winners:
East: Carl Burks, Cierra Hughes, Deshea Phillips
North: Sheyna Gilbert, Diamante Williams, Aaron Lipsey, Ja Queshia Morgan
Southwest: David Rodgers, Sherdena Crowder, Brandon Thomas, Shandale Tipple

Focus will Host OSU Social Work Interns

Nick — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:15:06 +0000

Focus is excited to pair with the Ohio State University to offer local college students in the social work field the chance to intern at the Academies. They will work closely with our current Social Workers, helping Focus students and gaining hands on experience in the profession. Focus is in the process of interviewing potential interns and hopes to have one or two MSW (Master’s in Social Work) level college students in the schools by January. In addition to being a great learning experience for the interns, the program will offer Focus the ability to request volunteers from the social work department for events or activities, get social work fee waivers, participate in community networking with agencies and schools and take advantage of opportunities to teach or be a guest lecturer at OSU.

Miss Black Ohio Visits Focus Southwest, Blogs About Her Experience

Nick — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:14:20 +0000

Miss Black Ohio 2010, Ashley Miller, is a Cincinnati native and graduate of the University of Louisville and Berea College. She currently works as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner as the leading clinician at a Planned Parenthood location in Cincinnati. Her platform is HIV/AIDS Awareness, Prevention and Education. She wrote:

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Today I had to opportunity to speak at the Focus Learning Academy in Columbus, Ohio. I spoke to a group of students that ranged in age from 16 to 22. I began my talk by finding out what all the students knew about pageants, we discussed what all goes into the preparation and stage show! I spent the majority of my time with them talking to them about my platform, HIV/AIDS awareness! I talked with them about what HIV/AIDS stands for, how it can be contracted, how to prevent it, and the importance of testing. I really tried to get across to them the importance getting tested and encouraging their friends and family members to be tested as well! Lastly, we talked about the importance of education and why everyone should finish their high school education and continue to the college level. I encouraged them to set goals for themselves and to dream big! It was great to hear all of their aspirations for the future and I just really wanted to portray to them that you can do anything you set your mind to, so don’t let anyone or anything stand in your way! I had a really good experience at this appearance and pray that I was able to touch some of the kids with my words!

To learn more, read her blog at:
missblackohiousa2010.blogspot.com

Focus Students and Staff Rally to Support Charter Schools

Nick — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:01:53 +0000

On Wednesday, May 13, several students and staff, armed with signs and enthusiasm, traveled downtown to participate in the My School My Choice Rally at the Statehouse. The rally drew over 4,000 charter school and online school supporters from around the state! The immense turnout was in response to Governor Strickland’s budget proposal that would severely cut public charter school funding by 26 percent and e-school funding by 74 percent.

Rally participants gathered at Veterans Memorial before marching together up Broad Street to the Statehouse lawn chanting “My school, my choice!” Once there, the crowd heard remarks from key supporters. The speakers included State Senate President Bill Harris, Senate Education Committee Chair Gary Cates, Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools President Bill Simms and Black Alliance for Educational Options State Director Tracie Craft. Several times the speakers urged the crowd to turn to the Statehouse and yell “Save our school!” in an effort to show the Governor that charter schools are an important option for students to have. Currently, 80,000 students attend charter or online schools in Ohio. Please help Focus continue giving students a safe and enriching schooling alternative by telling others the importance of supporting charter schools and opposing Governor Strickland’s educational budget proposal!

CBI Students Visit Power 107.5

Nick — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:01:16 +0000

On Thursday, May 7, CBI students had the opportunity to visit Power 107.5 and spend time with DJ City. In order to qualify, students had to write an essay on why they should be given the opportunity, have two staff recommendations and have no more than one discipline referral. Staff members from each school evaluated students’ essays and those with the highest scores were selected. The winners were Dexter Green from North, David Rodgers from Southwest, and Gracia Carpenter and Leondro Reyes from East.

During the visit, students had lunch with City and got to meet the station’s general manager, as well as one of the other radio personalities, Konata. Students talked with City about real-life issues and why they were determined to do well in school. Students also learned about the behind the scenes operations at the radio station and were allowed to record “shout outs” that aired on City’s show later that night.

Speaker Jam a Hit with Students

Nick — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:00:36 +0000

The scholars at Focus East gained a newfound perspective for their future on Tuesday, April 28. Local celebrities and community leaders came and spoke to the students at the first ever Speaker Jam. The students heard from Misty Jordan, from the 107.5 Power Morning Crew; City, from the 107.5 City Show; Mike Thornton, educator and basketball coach; Leon Rodgers, professional basketball player in China; and Jerome DeCarlo, from the Huckleberry House.

The overall theme each speaker shared was that we all have a chance to make our own decisions and to guide our future and destiny in the right direction! Students were able to hear from each speaker for about 20 minutes. The speakers shared their personal stories of triumph and failure. They proved that no one is perfect—you just have to be determined to be the best at whatever you do!

Students Work with Local Audubon Center to Map Non-Native Plant Species

Nick — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:59:19 +0000

This spring Focus East students were able to participate in a unique pilot program sponsored by the Grange Insurance Audubon Center within the Scioto Audubon Metro Park. Three students participated in this program, Matt Pathammavong, Sydatris Thompson and Elizabeth Valdez. The goal of the pilot study was to collect data about non-native or invasive species of plants present in the park. Each student was taught to use Trimble GPS units to target the species in the field and create maps of the area, highlighting areas where invasive species were most densely populated. The students earned a half credit of Environmental Technology for their tremendous efforts. The Scioto Metro Park will be using the students’ data to make resource management and ecosystem conservation decisions throughout the year.

Focus North Hosts Community Luncheon

Nick — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:12:41 +0000

On Wednesday, January 14, Focus North hosted its first annual Community Luncheon, inviting community leaders to learn firsthand the great things that are happening at the school. The lunch was the perfect opportunity for Focus staff and student to build new ties to the community and create awareness of the program. The guest included Don B. Heard, Executive Director of Juvenile Justice Program, Gail Brown, Director of the Boys & Girls Club and several Franklin County Juvenile Probation Officers.

Several of the student council members spoke at the luncheon and the guests received a tour of the school. It was a great opportunity to showcase the school’s hardworking students and their efforts. Focus North plans to make this an annual event so they can continue to encourage community involvement and show off their students’ accomplishments.