NORTHVILLIANS,

• The federal government is spending $2.1 billion to improve infection control procedures in health care settings, aimed at preventing the transmission of diseases inside hospitals, dialysis centers & other facilities. Funding will be sourced from the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill signed into law by Pres. Biden earlier this year. (ABC News)
   
• The Food & Drug Administration is likely to authorize Pfizer booster shots this week for many Americans at high risk from the coronavirus now that a key advisory committee has voted to recommend the measure. On Friday, September 17th, a panel of experts endorsed offering Pfizer booster shots for ages 65 and older, and also for people 16 and over, who are at high risk of getting severe COVID-19 or who work in settings that make them more likely to get infected.  (New York Times)
   
• The first results from the trial studying the effectiveness and safety of the Pfizer & BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children under 12 indicate the shots are safe for children and establish a strong antibody response against the virus. Study participants were between the ages of 5 & 11.   (NPR)

• As we enter our third school year affected by this pandemic, it reminds us how our award-winning youth have had to be flexible...like all of us through these Covid times.
   
• Since our first official public school in Northville was built in 1853, the Ville has always been known as a “center of learning” with private & public-school availability. From one-room schoolhouses to various learning centers, educational development has been a priority and an integral part of the fabric of this community since our beginnings in 1827.

• Covid has changed our learning process to be partially virtual, following social distancing guidelines, with less face-to-face interaction at our schools. Each one of our schools have been affected equally, albeit differently, but all have persevered.
   
• I applaud our Teachers, Administration, School Board, parents and students for all they have endured during this Pandemic.  And again, let’s all congratulate them on their #1 Niche ranking position.
   
• Our Schools have been named after historical and geographically significant local areas, as well various community & school leaders.  Examples are:  Amerman, Silver Springs, Winchester, Ridgewood, Thornton Creek, Meads Mill, Hillside and Northville High School.
   
• I also want to thank the parents who have assisted in celebrating unique graduation ceremonies, who have been involved with modified athletic & club event protocols, who have made adjustments on-the-fly so special events could happen.  They have relentlessly supported our youth.
   
• With your assistance, we have had multiple vaccination clinics, including at the High School and at Schoolcraft College.  I thank all that volunteered their time & talents to be part of these Covid “battle stations”.
   
• I especially appreciate the High School parents who were involved in the Senior outdoor all-night party and the car parades on 6 Mile.
   
• In the past, I have participated in person at the NHS Honors banquet as well as reading activities and events in our various Northville Schools.  These happenings have all gone virtual since Covid. 
   
• During the Pandemic, I had the honor to participate as a Guest Speaker at an NHS TEDx presentation (all digital).  Also, via Zoom, I presented awards to students for the Honors banquet and virtually read books for classes that I had done in-person previously.
   
• Knowing all these things, it’s even more remarkable that Northville Schools have remained one of the top-ranked districts in all categories throughout the state.