The INDEPENDENT, January 6, 2011
Get kids shots before Feb. 18
The new year will be here
before we know it, and the Ore-
gon Immunization Program
wants to remind parents that
now is the time to make sure
kids’ vaccination records are
complete. State law requires
that all children in public and
private schools, preschools,
Head Start and certified child
care facilities be up-to-date on
their immunizations, or have a
religious or medical exemption.
Parents or guardians will re-
ceive a letter in late January or
early February, 2011, if their
child’s immunization record
shows that he or she has not
received the required vaccina-
tions. Children will not be able
to attend school or child care
starting February 16, 2011, if
their records on file show miss-
ing immunizations.
“The goal is to make sure
children are fully protected
against vaccine-preventable
diseases. If school and child
care shot records are not up-to-
date, the child will be sent
home,” said Lorraine Duncan,
Oregon Public Health Division
immunization manager.
This year, parents should
take note of some new informa-
tion:
• Hib vaccine requirement:
Hib is a severe bacterial dis-
ease that affects mostly young
children. In recent years, there
was a shortage of this vaccine,
so children weren’t required to
be up-to-date on Hib immu-
nizations to stay in child care
and preschool. Hib vaccine,
which is now plentiful, is back
on the required list for children
through age 4.
• Tdap vaccine requirement:
Tdap vaccine is required for
seventh-, eighth- and ninth-
graders. Tdap is a tetanus,
diphtheria
and
pertussis
(whooping cough) booster.
Whooping cough is a serious
health concern in Oregon with
more than 255 cases recorded
this year. In California, whoop-
ing cough is at epidemic levels;
there have been about 6,800
cases reported this year, and
10 babies have died.
• Hepatitis A vaccine require-
ment: The hepatitis A vaccine,
which protects against a com-
municable viral infection, is a
two-dose series now required
for children 18 months through
second grade.
Parents seeking immuniza-
tions for their children should
contact their health care
provider or local health depart-
ment, or call Oregon SafeNet
at 1-800-SAFENET or 1-800-
723-3638. No one can be
turned away from a local health
department because of the in-
ability to pay for required vac-
cines. Additional information on
school immunizations can be
found at www.oregon.gov/DHS
/ph/imm/school.
Live longer with healthy habits
Longevity appears to be
more about healthy lifestyle
than about genes. A study from
the University of Cambridge in
England followed middle-aged
men and women for 11 years
and found non-smokers with
the healthiest eating and exer-
cise habits lived longer than
people with the worst habits.
Another study at the Pacific
Health Research Institute in
Hawaii followed Japanese-
American men for 40 years.
This study found those who
avoided health risk factors in
midlife like smoking, being
overweight, excessive drinking
and high blood pressure were
likely to live longer. Here are
some tips for healthy lifestyle
habits:
• Stay active and connected.
Centenarians are usually ac-
tive and interested in what’s
going on in the community and
world. Staying connected and
involved keeps your brain
working and increases your
sense of purpose. Establish a
support system and have a dai-
ly connection with close friends
or family members.
• Exercise your brain and
challenge your mind. Stay curi-
ous and mentally alert as you
age. For instance, solve puz-
zles, take painting, art, comput-
er or foreign language classes,
play bridge, or play an instru-
ment.
• Be positive – keep laughter
and humor. Positive thinking
helps people reduce stress and
See Healthy on page 14
Page 11
Chalk Talk
Chalk Talk is a column of information about Vernonia
schools. This column was provided by James
Brookins, Special Education Director and Assistant
Principal.
Wow! 2011, and another school year is almost
half gone. I hope that everyone was able to get
a little rest and relaxation over the Holidays. It is
hard for me to believe how fast time has been
flying these years. When I arrived in Vernonia in
the fall of ‘93 I was not sure what to expect. From
my kids first day here, when they got lost on the
Mainline, and what seemed like most of Birken-
feld and Fishhawk turned out to find them, I
knew I was in a special place. Through the years
I have had a myriad of wonderful experiences,
and this coastal hamlet has become home.
Life in the Vernonia school district has not
been boring, and will not be so for awhile. In fact,
the excitement, anticipation and wonder at what
is happening in our schools will only continue to
grow. Our community has its challenges, but the
bottom line is that it is a great place to raise and
educate kids. I believe that our district’s staff
teaches kids to dream big, and how to plan to
achieve those goals. There are hundreds of
young adults I know who are successfully work-
ing, raising families, and giving back to their
communities and nation. The foundation for
those lives was built right here.
The foundation for the Vernonia School Dis-
trict’s future is being laid right now. All you have
to do to understand that is to drive by the new
school site, or switch on the webcam, to see that
rapid progress has begun. There is also intense
work being done by staff right now to make what
we do even better as we move into a superior fa-
cility. Like many of you I have been through two
bouts of very high water. For a long time the
schools have been a social center of this com-
munity. We are guaranteeing that for at least the
next couple centuries that connection will not be
threatened again. I cannot tell you how excited I
Bring cans and
help senior trip
There will be a pop can
drive on January 8, from 10:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to benefit the
Vernonia High School senior
class.
Bring your cans to the cov-
ered playshed on the school
grounds, and help the VHS
senior class raise funds for
their class trip.
Creatures
a’s
Lis ing
om
PET SUPPLIES,
Gro gain!
a
GROOMING & U-WASH
(503-429-PETS (7387)
OPEN
www.creaturespetshop.com
Mon-Sat 10-6
736 Bridge St. Vernonia
am to know that: a)
There is an end to mod
village – it will not have
to be built again, and b)
The building is now go-
ing to match the
dreams.
I am honored that the Board and Superinten-
dent have given me a new opportunity to grow
and learn as a member of the Vernonia Schools
Administration Team. For any who may not
know, I now serve the District as Special Educa-
tion Director, and an Assistant Principal. If you
need to find me, I can be reached by calling ei-
ther the middle or high school, and my office is
located with Mrs. Fetherston and Mrs. Harbour in
the mods.
I have a ton of new jobs now, and no day is
boring. As I attend to special education, and
serve Mr. Underwood and Mr. Miller as needed,
I work on testing, am a member of the facilities
committee, and retain my deep interest in activi-
ties and athletics. I thought I worked pretty hard
before, but with every new job comes a new
learning curve, and mine is pretty steep right
now.
When I say to you “Do not hesitate to call or
e-mail any staff member about any concern you
might have,” I know I will not hear an objection
from any member of our team. Every single
member of the Vernonia staff is here to do the
best they can for Vernonia and her kids. There
are exciting things happening at every level, far
too many for me to list here. Every one of us in
the schools is interested in your perspective, and
in serving your family better. As we move for-
ward into a very exciting second decade of the
21st century we need you, and we need your in-
put. This is our school, our community, and our
future. We need to work together as we refine
our vision of exactly what that future will be.
Happy New Year to all of you…
Pet of the Month
Columbia Humane Society in St. Helens has a variety of wonderful pets
available for adoption. Find the pet that’s right for you in the shelter
at 2084 Oregon Street. Phone 503-397-4353
Open Mon - Fri 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 am. to 5 pm.
Buttons was brought to CHS
because his owner had health
issues and could no longer take
care of him. Buttons was kept
inside only. He is very friendly and
sweet, plus according to his previ-
ous owner Buttons is good with
kids and other cats. Please consid-
er adopting Buttons, he deserves a
forever home!
The Columbia Humane Society is a No-Kill non-profit shelter
dedicated to helping friends find each other since 1985.
This Pet of the Month is Sponsored by:
Senator Betsy Johnson