H1N1 June 10 Update (click to view)
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High School Assessments (HSA)
(click and print)
The Worcester County Health Department has confirmed cases of the H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) in the county. According to health officials, the symptoms of this new strain of flu appear to be similar to the seasonal flu. Students diagnosed with the H1N1 Flu are being treated by a physician and will return to school when cleared by a physician.
We continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Worcester County Health Department (WCHD) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention. Preventing infection remains the number-one defense against transmitting the flu to others.
Please review the letter (accessed on the right) which contains the latest update and the recommended prevention best-practices. Our school system will continue to monitor information and collaborate with the WCHD. For more information, visit the WCHD Website at www.worcesterhealth.org (click for quick access).
Over 85 Summer Academy students at Buckingham Elementary School received a different kind of treat during their lunch time on June 30. They were treated to a special visit by Maryland's First Lady Katie O'Malley! The First Lady not only served up carrots to 
students in the lunch line, she also served up a lesson on the importance of eating healthy foods.
Photograph on Right: First Lady O'Malley (right) joins Cafeteria Server Tammy Doughtie to help distribute carrots and low-fat pizza (made from wheat flour) to students participating in Buckingham's Summer Academy.
The First Lady admitted that some students were reluctant about eating the nutrient-rich vegetable, but she encouraged the first through fourth graders to give the carrots a try. When addressing the students in the cafeteria, First Lady O'Malley asked how many students had tried at least one carrot. Hands went up throughout the lunch room. "You are now a member of the carrot club!" cheered First Lady O'Malley.
In addition to encouraging healthy snacks, First Lady O'Malley urged students to eat breakfast -- the most important meal of the day. "You need a really good breakfast in order to have some fuel in your system," she said, connecting 
a nutritious breakfast with the ability to stay focused. She also stressed the important role that schools and parents have in terms of instilling healthy eating habits. "Students need to get the message early on, to help prevent childhood illnesses like obesity and diabetes," she said.
Last year, Governor Martin O'Malley and the First Lady launched an initiative to end childhood hunger in Maryland by ensuring that children and families have access to healthy foods through federal food and 
nutrition programs. Buckingham Elementary School, a Title I school with 56 percent of its student population coming from households of poverty, participates in the federally-funded Summer Food Service Program which provides free, nutritious meals during the school's summer program. Buckingham Elementary also participates in the Maryland Meals for Achievement Program, providing a healthful, free breakfast for each student.
"No one performs at their best when they are hungry," said Buckingham Principal Roger 
Pacella. "We make sure that our children are well fed before moving on to teaching and learning."
Photograph on Right: Joining the First Lady and a Buckingham student are, from left, Cafeteria Server Tammy Doughtie, Cafeteria Manager Karen Widgeon, and Judy Dzimiera, Maryland State Department of Education Staff Specialist for Nutrition Education and Training.
Superintendent Dr. Jon Andes praised the efforts of the O'Malleys. "We are grateful to Governor and First Lady O'Malley for their efforts in eliminating childhood hunger by promoting awareness, educating 
families, and strengthening the coalition of agencies and programs in order to improve the access of healthy foods to our children," said Andes.
Photograph on Left: Board of Education Member Sara Thompson supports efforts to increase awareness and access to federal food and nutrition programs.
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Last Update: 7/1/2009
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