FHS Cheerleaders (l-r) Yeslie Faudoa, Yvonne Legarreta, Ahtziri Soltero, Breanna Godinez, Magdalena Licerio, Nohemi Castillo, Audrianna Trevino, Rebecca Schlenker, Amy Montana. Photo by Eric Gonzalez
Friona ISD sent out a letter to parents and guardians last week to announce the return to in-person (on campus) instruction beginning Tuesday, October 20th.
Friona ISD said the administration and teaching staff reviewed student performance and attendance data for the first eight weeks of school, and the data revealed that remote instruction has not been successful for many students. The district said virtual instruction also placed a burden on teachers that was unsustainable.
It is the district's belief that face-to-face instruction is the best method for children to learn. They look forward to welcoming back all students to the classrooms and campuses. Students and staff, however, will still be expected to adhere to COVID-19 safety guidelines.
Friona ISD will continue to place students affected by testing, quarantine and confirmed cases in remote instruction for the required period. Appropriate educational resources will be provided to the students and parents to maintain educational continuity.
Parents do have educational options for their children: (1) attend face-to-face campus instruction, (2) home school, or (3) transfer to another school district that offers remote learning.
October 13-30, 2020
Location:
Parmer County Courthouse
401 3rd Street
Farwell, Texas 79325
Hours:
Monday-Thursday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday
8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Reminder:
Bring photo I.D. when returning absentee ballots to the courthouse
Congratulations to Debbie Williams!!! She celebrated 20 years at Bi-Wize last week at the Customer Appreciation Day festivities.
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Check out the sample ballots, early voting information, and polling locations on page 10. Please remember to take a photo ID when returning your absentee ballots to the courthouse.
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Plans are being finalized for this year's "Trunk or Treat" event hosted by the Parmer County Sheriff's Office. Stay tuned. If you would like to donate, volunteer, or just have questions, call the Sheriff's Office.
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Created With Purpose of West Texas has scheduled a Ribbon Cutting and Open House for Tuesday, October 27th at 2:30 p.m. They are located at 907 Hwy 86 in Bovina.
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Please pray for rain. The Water Weekly drought map has Parmer County in an exception drought. Friona has received only an inch of rain since July 29th and no rain since September 11th.
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Everyone is invited to the Blake & Jenna Bolerjack Concert at the First Baptist Church in Friona on Sunday, October 25th. The concert begins at 6:00 p.m. and is a blended mix of gospel and contemporary music. See info on page 5.
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Do not forget to get your flu shot. Health officials are warning that it is vitally important to protect yourself from getting the flu during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Speaking of the pandemic, the annual Veterans Day program at Friona High School has been cancelled for this year because of the virus.
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As of this week, well over 99.9% of housing units have been accounted for in the 2020 Census. Self-response and field data collection operations for the 2020 Census will conclude on October 15, 2020. Internet self-response will be available across the nation through October 15, 2020. Visit 2020Census.gov to respond today. Phone response will be available for its regularly scheduled time on October 15, 2020. Paper responses must be postmarked by October 15, 2020. Nonresponse Followup census takers will continue resolving nonresponding addresses through the end of the day on October 15, 2020.
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Governor Abbott, the Texas Education Agency (TEA), and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) announced the creation of a COVID-19 Rapid Testing Pilot Program for Texas school systems. This program will help schools conduct rapid tests of district employees and students - with the written permission of their parents - to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on campuses. Through this pilot program, TDEM will provide participating school systems with COVID-19 rapid antigen tests that will be administered to students, teachers, and staff who choose to participate. Schools enrolled in the program will also receive personal protective equipment (PPE) to safely administer the rapid tests, which produce reliable results within 15 minutes.
Health Protocols for Voters and Elections (English)
County Disaster Declaration (English)
March 16 FISD Letter (English) (Spanish)
March 31 FISD Letter (English) (Spanish)
Letter from City Manager (English) (Spanish)
Friona Community Helpline (English)
2-1-1 Texas Social Services Hotline (English)
Share The Facts about COVID-19 (English) (Spanish)
What You Need To Know (English) (Spanish)
What To Do If You Are Sick (English) (Spanish)
County Clerk PSA (English)
Chamber of Commerce Letter to Businesses (English)
FISD Emergency Resolution (English)
Covid Risk Chart (English)
October has become a time in our country to focus on Breast Cancer Awareness. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United State (some kinds of skin cancer are the most common). Currently, the average risk of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 13%. This means there is a 1 in 8 chance she will develop breast cancer. This also means there is a 7 in 8 chance she will never have the disease.
Each year in the United States, about 250,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women and about 2,300 in men. About 42,000 women and 510 men in the U.S. die each year from breast cancer. Black women have a higher rate of death from breast cancer than White women.
So, what can we do to decrease our risk of dying of breast cancer? Early detection via health screenings, such as mammography, is an important step. Screening examinations can detect breast cancers early, before symptoms occur, which may make it easier to treat the disease. Screening involves getting mammograms, clinical breast exams, and self-breast exams, which are optional. There are many factors in predicting the chances of survival of a woman who is diagnosed with breast cancer but finding the cancer as early as possible greatly improves the likelihood that treatment will be effective. Visit the American Cancer Society's web site: http://www.cancer.org to determine when you should be screened based on your risk factors.
Risk Factors You CANNOT Change
• Getting older.
• Genetic mutations.
• Reproductive history.
• Having dense breasts.
• Personal history of breast cancer or certain non-cancerous breast diseases.
• Family history of breast or ovarian cancer.
• Previous treatment using radiation therapy.
Risk Factors You CAN Change
• Not being physically active.
• Being overweight or obese after menopause.
• Taking hormones.
• Reproductive history.
• Drinking alcohol.
Research suggests that other factors such as smoking, being exposed to chemicals that can cause cancer, and changes in other hormones due to night shift working also may increase breast cancer risk.
Remember that taking charge of your health now can lead to a healthier tomorrow. Start by getting screened this month in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Sources: Center for Disease Control, American Cancer Society
