ALAN OLSON Staff Writer
WHEELING The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer-brand COVID-19 vaccine for use on children aged 12-15 earlier this week, leaving the door open for the Centers for Disease Control and state governments to sign off on its use as well.
With approval from other federal and state entities expected to come in a matter of days, local health departments are prepared to distribute the vaccine to younger clients, in tandem with school districts.
Wheeling-Ohio County Health Administrator Howard Gamble said youths can begin coming in with a parent or guardian accompanying them for walk-in appointments as soon as they’re approved. Gamble encouraged the newly-eligible children to get the shot, saying that their inoculation would have “tremendous” benefits to stem the spread of the disease.
Staff Writer
Photo Provided
Bridge Street Middle School students Layce Fickey as Belle, left, and Cole Tarrant as the Beast practice in preparation for the schoolâs presentation of âBeauty and the Beast Jr.â
They’ve gained confidence about themselves and made friends along the way, and now it’s time for Bridge Street Middle School theatre students to enjoy the spotlight.
The students take the stage this weekend for three performances of Beauty and the Beast Jr. Shows are slated for 7 p.m. today, Friday, and Saturday at the J.B. Chambers Performing Arts Center at Wheeling Park High School.
Staff Writer
Photo by Scott McCloskey
Carol Moscato, a retired registered nurse, speaks with Terry Kiger of Wheeling, at The Highlands COVID-19 vaccination clinic Wednesday. The county is planning to scale back on the number of days it will vaccinate adults and focus more on vaccinating youths if the CDC decides to lower the age limit for the Pfizer vaccine to 12.
WHEELING Ohio County officials are making plans to scale back COVID vaccination opportunities for adults, and to focus instead on inoculating school-age youths.
The move comes as federal officials indicate they could move as soon as next week to authorize Pfizer-brand COVID vaccinations as safe for children as young as 12. Presently the vaccine is available only to those age 16 or older.
JOSELYN KING Staff Writer
Photo by Joselyn King
Ohio County Schools Superintendent Kim Miller, left, speaks with Innovation Coordinator JoJo Shay prior to this weekâs board of education meeting.
WHEELING At least 10 percent of Ohio County School students indicate they still will stay home and continue remote learning while their classmates resume a five-day school week, according to a recent survey of their families.
There is also about 7 percent of the student population who has not returned their surveys, according to school officials.
The Ohio County Board of Education this week was presented with data showing the results of a recent survey of current remote learners, and whether they planned to return to in-person learning once five-day school weeks begin Monday.
Staff Writer
Bridge Street Middle School will honor “the past, present and future of our local Black community” with a virtual event tonight.
The school will stream a Black History Month Program at 6:30 p.m. tonight, featuring speeches from local leaders in the Black community.
The event can be viewed by Bridge Street students and families through a Schoology link emailed to them. It is also being recorded, and is expected to be made available for viewing by the public in the coming days through the school’s Facebook page, according to principal Jessica Broski-Birch.
“Black history is American history, and we wanted to bring a local aspect to it, as well,” she said. “Black History Month often focuses on the bigger level and nationally the abolitionists and the Civil Rights Movement. Those things are important, but we wanted to make things more personal and to reach out to our community. How does this affect our area? How does it affect the people here?”