Latest news with #DiscoveryElementary
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Norovirus outbreak sickens dozens of Gig Harbor students
On Tuesday, dozens of students and staff from a school in Gig Harbor were home recovering from a Norovirus outbreak. Discovery Elementary School said 50 people have gotten sick since Thursday, but the illness didn't start in their kitchen. Out of those 50, 35 of them are still recovering at home. University of Washington Professor Dr. Ferric Fang said the virus is highly contagious. 'The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,' Fang told KIRO 7. The Peninsula School District said they are actively working with the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department to stop the outbreak. Also noting the health department's 'investigation confirmed the school kitchen was not the source of illness, we have implemented precautionary measures.' Fang said a norovirus outbreak of any size isn't uncommon, especially in crowded settings. 'It's normal for it to be in a school, it's so infectious the schools can't control it, for students and staff, it's a nightmare dealing with it,' Fang said. The district told KIRO 7 the school kitchen was closed yesterday for cleaning and making sure nobody preparing the food is sick. Today, they said the threat is clear and the kitchen is open again. Doctors said most people get the virus multiple times in their life. 'It's an aggravating problem, even though most people don't die and get over it on their own there's no specific treatment for it,' Fang said. The health department said they are working with the school this week to ensure everything is properly cleaned and the outbreak is contained. The full statement from the Peninsula School District can be seen below: 'On Thursday, May 8, Discovery Elementary identified multiple students displaying symptoms of gastroenteritis, prompting staff to follow district protocols by sending affected students home and notifying the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department when absence numbers reached the reporting threshold. By Friday, May 9, approximately 50 students were either absent or sent home with similar symptoms. Following their investigation, TPCHD suspects norovirus as the cause affecting both students and staff. Our school team promptly communicated with all Discovery Elementary families Friday morning, sharing TPCHD's guidance that children and staff showing symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea should remain home until they have been symptom-free for 48 hours. Although the investigation confirmed the school kitchen was not the source of illness, we have implemented these precautionary measures: · Temporarily closed the Discovery Elementary kitchen for thorough sanitization · Arranged for meal preparation at an alternate location, with packaged breakfast and lunch options provided to students · Enhanced cleaning protocols throughout the building · Scheduled periodic restroom closures during school hours for additional disinfection We appreciate our partnership with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and the quick response from our health services team, custodial staff, and school administrators."
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Showing teacher appreciation with popcorn
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) —It's Teacher Appreciation week across South Dakota, which has schools and parents doing their part to show teachers they care. At Discovery Elementary, the teacher's lounge was poppin' today, with the added element of popcorn. Dell Rapids St. Mary students learn about conclave 'This week we have snacks or a vendor coming in every single day to provide a treat for the teachers. Today we have a popcorn bar. We have Flyboy Donuts, we have Serendipity Ice cream truck, Sodak soda,' Parent at Discovery and PTO member Eva Hudelson said. It's all for Teacher Appreciation week, or as the Discovery Elementary PTO is calling it, Staff Appreciation week. 'There's so many people that show up to school to work every day, all year long, that have different roles and are still making an impact on our kids' lives,' Hudelson said. While popcorn and other goodies may seem like small gestures, they're is greatly appreciated by the teachers. 'It's my first year of teaching and so, having some really awesome parents in my class this year just has shown how much I love this profession, I love their kids. They've been so supportive of my first year of just teaching in general,' Discovery Elementary 5th Grade Teacher, Christa Yoder said. Educators 'humbled' by regional teaching awards Letting the people who take care of the city's children know that they are seen and appreciated. 'We work so hard every day, far beyond contract hours, every day. Teaching is not a job that you can just leave at 3:30-4:00 and be done. We're always thinking about these kids,' Yoder said. 'We just really want to know how much they are appreciated and valued by all the parents and families here at our school, we just have a fantastic school. They're making an impact on our kids that will last a lifetime,' Hudelson said. Along with the popcorn, Discovery has drawings for the teachers to win items like gift cards and gift baskets. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
