Education Minister Darin King today said information packages have been sent to all schools in the province outlining what teachers, students and parents should do to help contain the H1N1 pandemic.
The packages contain information to help school staff answer questions from students and parents; information brochures for parents; health information posters; suggested web-based resources, including videos; and hand sanitizers to supplement hand washing.
“Parents should remember that the best way to protect their children and help contain the spread of H1N1 is proper hygiene,” King said. “Students and their parents should continue to practice the three Cs — clean, cover and contain. And most importantly, a student who is displaying flu-like symptoms should stay at home.”
Health Minister Jerome Kennedy has announced that vaccination of students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 will begin Thursday where possible. Detailed plans for the in-school immunizations will be developed by individual regional health authorities.
King noted the vaccine will be provided to students in schools wherever it is feasible and possible.
“However, there is currently a nation-wide shortage of the vaccine,” he noted. “School-based immunization will be expanded as the supply of vaccine allows. Parents are encouraged to be patient and continue to reinforce enhanced hand-washing and hygiene practices with their children.”
King said the Department of Education will continue to provide updated information on H1N1 as it relates to the school system on the department’s website at www.gov.nl.ca/edu.
“We certainly appreciate concerns parents have about the possible presence of H1N1 in schools,” King said. “However, the recommendation that is being followed throughout Canada is to keep schools open. Health officials advise that this is not a school-based influenza, but a community-based pandemic. Closing schools will not contain the spread of the virus. At the same time, we are prepared to make any necessary changes to these plans depending on information we are receiving on a daily basis.”
Minister King stated that as part of the monitoring of potential H1N1 effects on school communities, school districts and the Department of Education are tracking absentee rates school by school daily. While some schools are recording an increase in absentee rates, improvements in attendance levels are being recorded in others.