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H1N1 Information Session

H1N1 Information Session. September 2-3, 2009. Today’s Session. Committees Involved Role of Maintenance/Custodial Personnel Role of the Teacher Role of the Administrator Role of the Senior Education Officer Monitoring and communication throughout the school year. Key Partners.

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H1N1 Information Session

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  1. H1N1 Information Session September 2-3, 2009

  2. Today’s Session Committees Involved Role of Maintenance/Custodial Personnel Role of the Teacher Role of the Administrator Role of the Senior Education Officer Monitoring and communication throughout the school year

  3. Key Partners Public Health Agency of Canada Department of Health and Community Services Eastern Health Department of Education

  4. District Committee Members: Ford Rice – Director/CEO Allister Dyke – Assistant Director of Education – Human Resources Eric Snow – Assistant Director of Education – Finance and Administration Janet Vivian-Walsh – Assistant Director of Education – Programs Maurice Kelly – SEO – Vista Region Mary Purchase – SEO – Avalon East Region Pat Royle – Director of Maintenance

  5. District Committee Members: Jim Sinnott – Director of Corp. Policy, Planning, & Research Mary Tucker – Manager of Communications Mike Johnston – Manager of Occupational Health and Safety Neil Kearley – Principal, Ascension Collegiate Cindy Pope – Principal, Sacred Heart Academy Cindy Saunders – School Health Coordinator, Eastern Health Colleen Kearley – School Health Coordinator, Eastern Health

  6. World Health Organization The world is now at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic. We are in the earliest days of the pandemic. The virus is spreading under a close and careful watch. Thanks to close monitoring, thorough investigations, and frank reporting from countries, we have some early snapshots depicting spread of the virus and range of illness it can cause. June 11, 2009 Dr. Margare Chan Director-General of the WHO

  7. Symptoms of H1N1 Influenza • Symptoms of H1N1 Influenza are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal influenza infection. • The vast majority of Canadians with confirmed H1N1 influenza have recovered without the need for hospitalization.

  8. H1N1 Information • Community issue • Heightened awareness of flu prevention • Be vigilant • Ongoing communication • Ongoing monitoring

  9. H1N1 Information Prevention is the best approach to protect against influenza. Individuals are advised to take precautions around general hygiene and public health. Clean, Cover and Contain is the recommended approach. Health and Community Services – Government of Newfoundland and Labrador - Canada

  10. Handwashing • Hand washing is the best defense against H1N1. Hand washing is the most effective way to control the spread of any germs including the H1N1 influenza virus. • Staff should ensure children are washing their hands often and thoroughly.

  11. Handwashing Techniques

  12. Hand Sanitizers • Hand sanitizers to be provided for all instructional spaces that do not have sinks. • All instructional spaces with sinks will have soap and hand towels/dryers prior to school opening.

  13. Hand Sanitizers • Hand sanitizers should be used when you are not able to wash your hands. • Minimum of 3 hand sanitizers will be provided to each school for high traffic areas (Cafeteria, Gymnasium, Main Office or area with public phone) • Reordering of hand sanitizers is the responsibility of the school.

  14. Hand Sanitizers • Alcohol-based hand rubs should have a minimum 60% concentration ethyl or isopropyl alcohol. Department of Health and Community Services – Disease Control Division • WHMIS fact sheet supplied to all schools regarding use and storage of hand sanitizers.

  15. Hand Sanitizers • Avoid contact with eyes. If contact made, flush with water immediately. • Hand sanitizers provided for instructional spaces must be used under the supervision of a teacher.

  16. Does the use of hand sanitizer replace hand washing? • No. Hand sanitizers are not a replacement for proper hand washing. Hand sanitizers may be used as a supplement to hand washing in areas where several students are touching objects and soap and water are not readily available, (e.g., gyms, and computer labs).

  17. Role of Maintenance/Custodial Personnel

  18. Maintenance Responsibilities • Heightened Awareness of cleaning

  19. Maintenance Responsibilities • Washroom Inspections • All schools will be inspected prior to school opening to ensure all handdryers, soap dispensers and ventilation systems are fully operational. • All washrooms will be inspected three times a day to ensure cleanliness and an adequate supply of soap and hand towels. • All instructional spaces should have tissues for student use.

  20. Washroom Checklist

  21. Bussing Contractors • All bussing contractors have been advised to thoroughly clean busses prior to school opening and to ensure that they are cleaned on a daily basis throughout the school year.

  22. Role of the Teacher

  23. Teacher Responsibilities Ensure that all posters are displayed prominently in homerooms. Instruct students on a regular basis on the importance of the Clean, Cover and Contain message. Ensure all students are given time to wash/sanitize hands regularly throughout the school day. Encourage students to wash/sanitize hands prior to eating.

  24. Teacher Responsibilities Ensure that the instructional space with a sink has soap, paper towels/hand dryer and tissues available for student use. Ensure that the instructional space without a sink has hand sanitizer and tissues available for student use.

  25. Teacher Responsibilities In cases of student absenteeism, communicate with parents/guardians units of work covered. K-12 Planet, Group E-mail, Synrevoice, Teacher website or School website. Flexibility may be necessary with tests, assignments etc. in the event of high absenteeism.

  26. Role of the Administrator

  27. Initial Staff Meeting Include all staff Discuss the expectations for teachers and maintenance staff Discuss the importance of reinforcing the Clean, Cover and Contain message.

  28. Monitor Attendance Member Services Tracking of absenteeism of students, teachers and support staff. Initially, we will track on a weekly basis. Complete by 10:00 am every Friday morning.

  29. Administrative Responsibilities • Meet with all staff to review the implications for schools as a result of the H1N1 Influenza Pandemic • Ensure teachers communicate with parents/guardians units of work covered. K-12 Planet, Group E-mail, Synrevoice, Teacher website or School website. • Ensure teachers reinforce the three C’s in their homerooms on a regular basis. • Ensure that bathrooms are fully stocked at all times. • Ensure that the enhanced cleaning is completed daily. • Keep School Council informed throughout the process.

  30. Administrative Responsibilities Sign Bathroom Checklist every Friday and ensure same is forwarded to maintenance division of ESD. Order additional hand sanitizers as necessary. Order tissues for instructional spaces. Monitor attendance and report same through Member Services every Friday. Through Member Services update Family SEO on comments or concerns raised by School Community.

  31. Role of the Family SEO

  32. Role of Family SEO • Review all attendance reports every Friday morning. • Review the anecdotal comments of Administrators and report any concerns to District Committee contact. • If required, District Committee to meet 11:30 am Fridays to discuss issues or concerns.

  33. Communication • Posters: Clean, Cover and Contain • Parent Q and A brochure (DOE) • ESD website: Media releases, FAQ’s, H1N1 updates, resource links • Principals’ meeting, school staff meeting • District Digest • School to home communications via newsletters, memos, e-mail, as required • First Class Conference – District to school

  34. Communication • Principal to inform Family SEO • SEO will consult with District Committee • District Committee to consult with Department of Education Committee

  35. H1N1 Information Schools will remain open Extra-curricular and co-curricular activities will continue as usual No regularly scheduled activities will be cancelled prior to consultation with Family SEO. Ongoing communication Monitoring will occur throughout the year

  36. What do we do if students attend school with influenza like symptoms? • If a student presents at school with flu-like symptoms that student should be moved to a location away from others until arrangements can be made for transportation to home. • Follow a similar protocol to what we currently do when children become ill at school.

  37. Should a school close if a case of H1N1 Influenza is confirmed in the school? The Public Health Agency of Canada is not recommending the closure of schools. It is the Public Health Agency of Canada’s recommendation that schools continue to practice basic infection control, such as frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and asking those who are ill to stay home.

  38. When should a student or staff member stay at home? Any individual with flu-like symptoms – fever above 37.8 C or 100 F accompanied by cough or sore throat – should stay home. Individuals who become ill with influenza-like symptoms should stay at home until they are symptom free, feeling well, and able to fully participate in all normal day to day activities.

  39. Questions

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