shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com November 27, 2018 • Page 7 Pertussis Cases Rise In South Dakota PIERRE, S.D. – Recent reports of community increases in pertussis have the Department of Heath reminding parents to make sure their kids are appropriately immunized. Since the beginning of the year, 90 cases of pertussis have been reported to the Health Department. This is the highest number reported since 2014 when the state saw 109 pertussis cases. Counties seeing the most cases include Edmunds (19), Brown (15), Minnehaha (13), and Hughes (12). “Pertussis is a very serious illness so it is important to take precautions like ensuring you and your children are current with all recommended vaccines,” said Dr. Joshua Clayton, state epidemiologist for the department. Pertussis is a highly contagious disease that is spread from person to person through the air by the cough of an infected person. Early symptoms resemble a common cold, including sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever and a mild cough. Within two weeks, the cough becomes more severe and is characterized by episodes of numerous rapid coughs followed by a high-pitched whoop. Thick, clear mucus may be discharged following the cough. Coughing episodes may recur for one to two months, and are more frequent at night. While it can affect people of any age, it is most severe in babies under 6 months old, especially in preterm and unvaccinated infants. The elderly are also at risk. The single most effective control measure is maintaining the highest possible level of immunization in the community. The vaccine is given in a series of doses at 2, 4, 6 and 15 months of age and at 4–6 years of age. Because immunity wanes over time, a booster dose is recommended for adolescents, 1112 years of age, and for adults. Treatment with antibiotics can shorten the contagious period. People who have been in contact with an infected person should see their clinician for evaluation and to receive antibiotics if they have symptoms of pertussis or are at high risk of developing pertussis. People at high risk of developing pertussis following exposure to a pertussis case include household contacts, infants, pregnant women in their third trimester, and persons with pre-existing health conditions. People not having symptoms and not at high risk of developing pertussis should monitor themselves for respiratory symptoms for 21 days. To prevent the spread of disease, people with pertussis or their symptomatic contacts may be isolated at home. More information about pertussis and its control can be found on the department’s website at http://doh.sd.gov/diseases/ infectious/diseasefacts/Pertussis. aspx. YOUR VOICE WILL BE HEARD MV Shopper * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *MV*Shopper* **** ******** M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y In Print and Online! • 665-5884 M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y Big Friend Little Friend Big Friend Little Friend (BFLF) has been serving youth in Yankton for over 40 years and is designed to give young people the opportunity to gain a one to one friendship with a positive and sincere adult mentor. BFLF matches youth with local volunteers through a community-based mentoring program, where the youth and mentor have match meetings at various locations throughout our community, including the mentor or mentees homes. Due to recent challenges with continuity within BFLF, the sustainability of the program has been uncertain. Therefore, to maintain and add a broader range of services to a larger group of individuals, BFLF became a program component of United Way & Volunteer Services of Greater Yankton. BFLF Board President, Dawn Henseler shared that this merger “is vital to the youth currently being served, and additional youth looking to add a caring adult mentor into their life. United Way’s leadership and staff will do an incredible job!” Lauren Hanson, United Way Executive Director is enthusiastic about the merger stating, “our mission is to change lives by mobilizing not only resources but people, volunteers, to improve our community. There is an opportunity to do more, serve more, and make a larger impact together than any of us could do alone.” Studies show that youth who have mentors experience improved self-esteem, greater academic achievement, increased motivation in school, and higher quality lifestyle choices. Yet one in three youth in our community will grow up without this critical asset. Thanks to a recent partnership with the Yankton School District, United Way’s BFLF hopes to do just that through a pilot In-School Mentoring program, launching at both Webster and Stewart Elementary Schools in January 2019. Yankton School District Superintendent, Dr. Wayne Kindle is pleased to be collaborating with United Way’s BFLF In-School Mentoring Program. “We know there are youth in our elementary schools who would appreciate and benefit from an adult mentor from our community. We give thanks to those adult mentors who are providing their time and talents to share with our young kids.” lifting others.” This program will certainly fulfill that mission!” Jerome Klimisch, Stewart Elementary School Principal understands the need for a program like this in the schools and stated, “every successful adult is quick to give credit to a caring adult in their life who consistently and intentionally built a positive relationship with them as a child. It may have been a teacher, coach, mentor or parent who listened to them and showed an interest in their life. At Stewart School we believe that giving mentors a place to meet and form these positive relationships with kids will increase student learning.” “Our hope is to recruit 15 volunteer mentors to give 1 hour, twice per month, during the school day, sharing their time and positivity with students in a one on one capacity,” shared Tara Bartekoske, United Way Volunteer Program Coordinator. Volunteer mentors are then paired with a single student mentee with similar interests for the duration of their friendship. This is not a tutoring program. Volunteer mentors use this time in any way which is special to the pair—playing games, doing crafts, shooting hoops, sharing hobbies, and talking about their week. Mentoring relationships are a shared opportunity for learning and growth. Many volunteer mentors say that the rewards they gain are as substantial as those for their mentees, and that mentoring has enabled them to: • Achieve personal growth and learn more about themselves • Improve their self-esteem and feel they are making a difference • Feel more productive and have a better attitude at work • Enhance their relationships with their own children All it takes is one caring person to make a difference in the life of a child, can we count on you? For more information about becoming a volunteer mentor or other volunteer opportunities, please contact United Way & Volunteer Services of Greater Yankton at 605-665-6766 or visit www.yanktonunitedway.org/volunteer. Webster Elementary School Principal, Melanie Ryken, is excited about the upcoming In School Mentoring launch. “Webster School is so grateful to have a youth mentoring program, such as Big Friend Little Friend, back in action. The collaboration between United Way, community and school will be a phenomenal venture and one that we can make such an impactful difference in the lives of our greatest assets: our youth. Every child deserves the opportunity to have an additional, positive role model in their life and one they can depend on a regular basis. As Robert Ingersoll said, “We rise by ESTED IN THIS SPOT? -5884 to place your ad here. 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