Page 3 - Ft. Irwin High Desert Warrior, December 2020

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High Desert Warrior 3 December 2020
Community
Dog Park Grand Re-opening NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public Affairs
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — The newly-renovated dog park on post opens on Dec. 4, after being closed down for updates in August.
Matai services was awarded a $252,000 contract to renovate the existing dog park for the Fort Irwin community. The new design will feature new shade structures, benches, dog water fountains, dog exercise and play equipment, natural turf grass and an irrigation system.
The Family and MWR held a grand re-opening ceremony with community members in attendance.
Casey Slusser, Fort Irwin Public Affairs
Rich history honored during National American Indian Heritage Month observance
By Janell J. Lewis Ford
NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public Affairs
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Dozens of community members tuned in for the National Training Center and Fort Irwin’s EEO observance of National American Indian Heritage Month on Nov. 18 at the Sandy Basin Community Center.
“Native Americans, including American Indians, Alaska natives and native Hawaiians have served in the United States Armed Forces in every major conflict since the Revolutionary War, up to present day and throughout the 20th century, Rebecca Troutman, project coordinator with the National Native American Memorial said in a video played at the event. “They’ve served in higher numbers, higher rates per capita than any other group in the United States.”
Maj. Steven Warner, chief of Women’s Health at Fort Irwin’s Weed Army Community Hospital, was the guest speaker.
He dedicated his speech to his late grandmother, saying she and his family were members of the Isleta Pueblo tribe, located south of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He talked about the struggles his grandmother and mother faced on the reservation and credited his success to
Annette Pritt, TSC
their ability to overcome and instill values in him.
“Her struggles set the stage for much of what I’ve accom- plished. I am mindful of what my grandmother truly gave
me” Warner said. “She’s the core of my Native American heritage and all that I’ve accomplished.”
Warner’s grandfather served in the Korean War, suffered from PTSD and died at a young age.
“I’m honored to follow so many exceptional individuals in service to our nation,” he said.
In President Donald Trump’s Proclamation on National Native American Heritage Month dated Oct. 30, he says, “During National Native American Heritage Month, we honor the storied legacy of American Indians and Alaska natives in our nation. Their cherished legacy, rich culture and heroic history of military service inspire us all.
Native Americans play a critical role in the health and vi- tality of our great nation. During National Native American Indian Heritage Month, we honor their cultures, as business owners, artists, teachers, writers, courageous members of our Armed Forces and so much more. The contributions to our society are cause for celebration and appreciation by all Americans.”
The theme of this year’s observance was “Many Nations, One Fight,” and Fort Irwin’s event was sponsored by the MEO/EEO offices and Medical Activity (MEDDAC). It was streamed live on Facebook.com/NTCfortirwin.
From FIRST DAY, Page 1
With the hybrid model, students are divided into two groups. Those in the A group attend in-person classes on Mondays and Wednesdays. Those in the B group have in-person instruction on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Students follow an early-out schedule each day and are released between 11a.m. and 1:15p.m., depending on the school site.
All parents are asked to monitor their student’s health conditions every day before sending them to school.
School notices to parents said, “If a student is not feeling well, we ask that you please keep them home for their safety and the safety of others.”
The notice also stated that, “At any time, due to COVID-19, a class or classes, a school site or district, could go back to distance learning.”
Najera added, “Thank you for your patience, thank you following our rules.
There’s a lot of guidelines associated with us being able to get this waiver and we ask that you’re flexible with us.”
Parents have been told they must check their student’s health for the following symptoms prior to sending them to school:
• Fever, 100 or higher, chills or shaking chills
• Cough (not due to other known causes such as chronic cough, allergies, etc.) Dif- ficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches or body aches Nausea,
vomiting or diarrhea • Headache
• Fatigue
• Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms
The district confirms it’s not taking any shortcuts as far as how safety goes on
campus.
District Assistant Superintendent,
Mark Lacey, said the students have been doing a great job following the new school protocols.
Desks are six-feet apart, classrooms are smaller, social distancing is in affect, sani- tizer and hand-washing stations are set up throughout the school, additional custodi- ans are helping clean, temperature checks are done daily as students come on campus and, of course, students are required to wear masks at all times at school.
Najera thanked the community, from principals and teachers, to parents and students, for all their hard work on a solid distance learning program and said the ef- fort put into a safe, hybrid model was just as great.
“Our community showed its resiliency in getting through this time,” he said.
For more information go to home.army.mil/irwin