November 16 - November 24, 2020
- IGDVS Newsletter
- Nov 16, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 19, 2021
DEAR FAMILIES,
We appreciate all that you do! Your continuous commitment and support to your child's education during home learning has not been easy. Please reach out to us if there are ways that we can support your child's learning and social-emotional well-being during this time. Wishing you all a very happy holiday season! Warmest Regards, IGDVS Team
COVID-19 EDUCATION
Vaccines typically take years to develop and perfect, but with the rise of COVID-19, scientists are rushing to find a vaccine as soon as possible. A vaccine for COVID-19 is the best strategy, and although there is currently no concrete vaccine, we are getting closer and closer to developing a safe and effective vaccine. A big breakthrough occurred a few days ago for Pfizer Inc. and German partner BioNTech SE as they welcomed the first successful interim data from a large-scale clinical test. The analysis was conducted on November 8th, 2020, from the Phase 3 Clinical Study. The new COVID-19, mRNA-based vaccine candidate, BNT162b2, is more than 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 in all the participants in the clinical trial. There were 43,538 participants, with 42% having diverse backgrounds, and only 94 of them had confirmed cases, and more than 90% of those who got the disease had been given the placebo and not the actual vaccine. They are planning to submit this for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)after the required safety milestone is achieved, which is currently expected to occur in the third week of November. The clinical trial is to continue through to the final analysis at 164 confirmed cases in order to collect additional data. “Today is a great day for science and humanity. The first set of results from our Phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine trial provides the initial evidence of our vaccine’s ability to prevent COVID-19,” said Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer Chairman and CEO. “We are reaching this critical milestone in our vaccine development program at a time when the world needs it most with infection rates setting new records, hospitals nearing over-capacity, and economies struggling to reopen. With today’s news, we are a significant step closer to providing people around the world with a much-needed breakthrough to help bring an end to this global health crisis. We look forward to sharing additional efficacy and safety data generated from thousands of participants in the coming weeks.” The Pfizer vaccine is an mRNA-based vaccine, so it's more expensive to produce, and it also may be difficult to administer because it has to be stored at 80 degrees Celsius. However, most major medical centers have that storage capacity, so vaccinating healthcare workers should not be too big of a problem. Dr. Paul Goepfert, director of UAB’s Alabama Vaccine Research Clinic, says that while the vaccine is certainly a huge breakthrough, it's likely that we are still facing another year of needing to take extra precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. For more information, visit these sites: https://www.al.com/news/2020/11/pfizer-vaccine-is-big-breakthrough-but-questions-remain-uab-doctor-says.html https://investors.pfizer.com/investor-news/press-release-details/2020/Pfizer-and-BioNTech-Announce-Vaccine-Candidate-Against-COVID-19-Achieved-Success-in-First-Interim-Analysis-from-Phase-3-Study/default.aspx
TEACHER SPOTLIGHT: DR. JOSE VEGA
Dr. Jose Vega is a Biology and Environmental Science teacher at the girls' high school.
Question: What inspired you to become a teacher at IGDVS? Dr. Vega: I was asked if I could teach AP Environmental Science and later also Biology when the previous teachers had to leave. It was not really my decision, but I am very glad I accepted. To do it as a volunteer is a way to repay having the opportunity to live in CTTB. Question: What is your most memorable experience when teaching? Dr. Vega: Almost every day there is something memorable. It can be a presentation of the students, or a comment, or a sign of respect and care for a classmate, or sharing something funny, or going for a walk to visit the cows… Question: What is your favorite subject to teach? Dr. Vega: Environmental Science. It combines everything: physics, chemistry, biology, sociology, politics, ethics… Besides, the coming generations will have to deal with issues related to the environment for their entire lives. Question: What inspires you the most? Dr. Vega: I always tell my students that my goal is to create an “army” that will go out there to save the planet. This is my best idea to accomplish it. Happiness is not about making money, it is about making the world a better place. Question: What is an interesting fact about you that students would be surprised to learn? Dr. Vega: I discovered Atlantis. Question: Do you have any advice for students? Dr. Vega: It is not about grades, it is about learning. Relax and enjoy learning. Question: What is the best thing about being a teacher? Dr. Vega: Life puts in the hands of teachers its most valuable possession: the children, the future. It is a tremendous privilege and responsibility. Question: If you could say one thing to all the students in the world, what would it be?
Dr. Vega: Appreciate nature, protect nature, embrace nature.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” -Helen Keller
FUN FACT OF THE MONTH
Cows have best friends and they spend most of their time together.
Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes
PUMPKIN TARTS
ROSEMARY ROASTED POTATOES
ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SPINACH
UPCOMING DATES
November 13: End of Trimester 1 for K-6
November 14: Virtual Honoring Elders Day
November 14: Happy Diwali
November 20: IGDVS Thanksgiving EventNovember 20: Trimester Report Cards for K-6
November 25-27: Thanksgiving Break
December 4: Teacher Work day & Half day
December 4: 5th & 6th Grade Science Expo
December 16: Half Day
Dec 17-Jan 8: Winter Break
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