All Colfax classrooms have “Stop the Bleed” kits
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
By LeAnn R. Ralph
COLFAX — Every classroom in the Colfax school district now has “Stop the Bleed” kits.
The school district used to have one “Stop the Bleed” kit for every grade level, but the kits are now available in every classroom, said William C. Yingst Jr., district administrator, at the Colfax Board of Education’s September 18 meeting.
A Stop the Bleed kit includes a SOF Tourniquet, a SWAT-T tourniquet, QuikClot gauze, sponge gauze, trauma shears and two pairs of gloves.
According to information available on-line, the SOF Tourniquet was designed by Special Forces medics and are used on and off the battlefield.
The SWAT-T tourniquet was designed for military and civilian special weapons and tactical teams. The name stands for “stretch, wrap and tuck.”
QuikClot gauze contains kaolin powder, which is a mineral that induces clotting. The gauze is used for arterial wounds where a tourniquet cannot be used.
The Russell Toycen American Legion Post 131 of Colfax buys school supplies and backpacks, so Yingst, who is a veteran himself, asked American Legion members about supplying the Stop the Bleed kits.
The American Legion members said “yes” to donating the Stop the Bleed kits, which will be a donation of over $500, Yingst said.
Yingst said he believes Colfax is probably the only school in the region with Stop the Bleed kits in every classroom.
Don Knutson, director of the Colfax Rescue Squad, was instrumental in training school district personnel on how to use the Stop the Bleed kits, and training for all school staff will be held in October, Yingst said.
Colfax already had a school crisis response team, but now that will be expanded to include all staff members, he said.
Forest of Discovery
Trevor Hovde, principal at Colfax Elementary, reported on “The Forest of Discovery” reading program that allows students to set a reading goal and then to work toward that goal during the course of the month at home.
If the students complete their monthly log and turn it back to the teacher signed by the student and parent, readers can receive a certificate for a free personal size Hot Stuff pizza at Synergy Cooperative, Hovde said.
Chuck Brown of Synergy worked to set up the incentive program and is always supportive of school efforts, he said.
The reading incentive program will begin in February and is not a required obligation at home, but rather, an opportunity to reinforce reading for children, Hovde said.
Students will receive a “Certificate of Accomplishment” from their teacher. The certificate expires 30 days after it has been issued, so students have 30 days to get their Hot Stuff personal size pizza, he said.
Thank you package
Hovde also reported on a telephone call he had received from Sergeant Cory Sagataw of the 432nd Battalion, United States Army.
In May, Colfax fourth graders had sent a “thank you package” to Sergeant Sagataw’s Army company, he said.
Sergeant Sagataw serves in Civil Affairs, and his unit is stationed in Slovakia and is deployed in Europe on peace-keeping missions, Hovde said.
Captain John McLaughlin, Staff Sergeant Kevin Dellwiche, Specialist Derek Crabbe, along with Sergeant Sagataw, sent a heartfelt thank you to the now-fifth graders for the gifts and encouragement they had sent in May, he said.
“The cards were excellent and were warmly received and the snacks and goodies added to the package,” Hovde said, adding that Sergeant Sagataw had mentioned several students by first name, such as Arizona, Jace, Colt, Mathew and Ryker.
Hovde said, “He even shared that the smiley face that was drawn in one of the cards was super nice. Getting packages from these children, ‘lifted out spirits and allowed us to make a connection back home. Thank you again for the care package.’”
Hovde noted that the care package had been sent in May but had not been received until recently.
There may be plans to do another care package, Hovde said.
The mailing address is — The United States Army; Attention: 432nd Battalion; 2929 Holmgren Way; Green Bay WI 54304.
Other business
In other business, the Colfax Board of Education:
• Learned that the calculus class has been upgraded from an AP Calculus class to a transcripted class so that students earn college credit by taking the class at the high school. The calculus instructor has a master’s degree, which it makes it possible to change the class to a transcripted class, said John Dachel, Colfax High School principal. Colfax High School offers up to 34 credits for students to earn at the college level.
• Learned that picture retakes and organizational pictures will be taken on Wednesday, October 11. The date was not included in the school calendar.
• Learned that homecoming will be on October 6, and that homecoming activities from October 2 to October 6 are in the planning stages.
• Learned that Peggy Larson, Ashley Goulet and Polly Rudi are attending the Medicaid school-based billing annual refreshers in September.
• Learned that there are two students participating in the Edgenuity option for virtual learning, one student in elementary school and one student in middle school/high school.
• Learned that there are four students enrolled under Title III (English Language Learners) oversight. Three students are in elementary school and one is in high school. Students receive accommodations and modifications through regular education classroom immersion.
• Learned that the school census/Common Fund report has determined the Colfax school district has 921 people ages 4 to 20. The census is tied to Common School library fund aid. Last year, Colfax received $35,000 and this year will receive $43,000. The money is used for technology updates and software in the library system, Yingst said.
• Learned that the valuation for the Colfax school district for this year is $572,812,951, representing a $100 million increase in valuation over last year.
• Approved the Back To School plan for the 2023-2024 school year. Approval of the plan is required every six months and is related to Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding. The money must be spent by September 2024, and the Back To School plan must remain on the school district’s website, Yingst said.
• Approved the adoption of the Wisconsin Public School District and Related Records Retention Schedule (A).
• Approved NEOLA school board policies that were recommended: electoral process; public expression of board members; conflict of interest; meetings (and rescinding policies on regular meetings, special meetings, notice of regular meetings and change of regular meetings); district-sponsored trips; selection of instructional materials and equipment; criminal history record checks and employee self-reporting requirement (and rescinding 504/ADA prohibition against disability discrimination in employment); open enrollment program, inter-district; attendance; suicide prevention, intervention and postvention; academic honesty (new policy); student anti-harassment; returned/outstanding checks; non-district supported student activity accounts (replacement policy); memorials for staff and students (new policy); video surveillance and electronic monitoring; artificial intelligence (new policy); public records; emergency preparedness; food services; free and reduced-price meals; nursing mothers (new policy); district support organizations.
• Approved the girls’ golf cooperative with Elk Mound for another two years for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years.
Following a closed session, the Colfax Board of Education:
• Accepted the resignation of Ryan Karl as the middle school boys’ basketball coach.
• Approved hiring Felisha Glomski as the freshmen volleyball coach.
The Colfax Board of Education meets next on October 30.