BULLETIN BOARD

Dear Parents/Guardians:

This letter is to alert you to the fact that, yesterday at St. Francis of Assisi School, several children in the grades 1 and 2 classes became ill with severe, uncontrollable vomiting. Today more than fifty (50) children from the school were home ill.

The Durham Region Health Unit was called first thing this morning. We were advised, through
Anne Grant and Bob Rockbrune, that the illness appears to be Norovirus which presents in vomiting and diarrhea. This virus is known to spread quickly and easily through surfaces.

Custodial staff from local area schools were dispatched to the school to assist with the sanitization
of the school. Ten additional custodians, under the coordination of Andrew Mackey, Head Custodian
at St. Stephen Secondary School, Bowmanville, worked all day in this effort. To support the sanitation of the school, Tom McInnis, Supervisor of Operations, was at the school. In addition, the school buses were sanitized.

I would like to reiterate that the Board’s Health and Safety Officer, school administration, and senior Board administration consulted directly with the Durham Region Health Unit throughout the day.

The Health Unit is recommending that people experiencing vomiting and diarrhea should drink plenty of fluids. Oral rehydration fluids (e.g. an electrolyte drink) containing water, sugar, and salts can help prevent dehydration. Frequent thorough hand washing with warm running water and soap using friction for at least fifteen (15) seconds is very important. Immediately clean and disinfect surfaces at home that have come into contact with vomit and/or diarrhea. Disinfectants should be bleach/ chlorine-based. Ill persons should stay at home for forty-eight (48) hours after symptoms resolve. Ill persons should not prepare or serve foods, nor should they attend group activities.

Children requiring medical attention should be taken to the closest medical centre for assessment. The Durham Region Health Unit does not recommend attending at Lakeridge Health Bowmanville Emergency unless there is an actual emergency. The following centres have been provided with specimen kits for the purpose of this suspect outbreak:

Clarington Urgent Care Clinic (Walmart Plaza) Bowmanville Urgent Care Clinic

2320 Highway # 2 Walk-in Clinic

Bowmanville, ON L1C 3K7 222 King Street East

(905) 697-1466 Bowmanville, ON L1C 1P6

(905) 623-6458.

Two attachments are included to provide you with further information on Norovirus and hand-washing.

A letter has also been sent home from the Principal of Newcastle Public School to the parents/guardians of the students who ride the same bus as students from St. Francis of Assisi to alert them to this illness.

Sincerely,

Linda Bier, Principal

Enclosures are attached.

LB/kc

Please review the following documents.

Facts About Norovirus

Handwashing Info Sheet

The Catholic School Council has a new email address: St.FrancisCSC@gmail.com. Use this email to contact the Chair or Vice-chair of the Council. Use this email to send us comments and kudos regarding Council matters. This email is only for Council matters. To reach the school staff, including the Principal and Vice-principal, refer to the school's contact information at the bottom of this page.

Let's Make St. Francis of Assisi an Eco Friendly School,

Click here for more information!

Food Drive Information

April Newsletter - Is NOW posted in Newsletters

Catholic Parent Council - election form

- 2010-2011 Annual Report

Wifi Safety at Schools - WiFi Safety

Directors Announcement - Welcoming Mr. Greg Reeves

Welcome to our School

Our state of the art facility is located in the Village of Newcastle. The school was founded in 1980 and moved to our current location in 2002. Our school houses classrooms from Junior Kindergarten to Grade Eight. We are located close to our parish, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church which is located on Highway 2 in Newcastle. We participate in school liturgies at the school or church and we encourage parents and community members to celebrate with us.

St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Elementary School boasts its quality and diversity. Among our many features we operate a C.A.S.A. (Centre for Autism Spectrum Assistance) specializing in grades 1 to 6. We are also very proud of our Snoezelen Room. Students enjoy this multi-sensory room which meets a variety of needs. St. Francis of Assisi is also home to the P.R.Y.D.E. Learning Centre. It operates before and after school hours and during the school day. It is a licensed Child Care Provider. P.R.Y.D.E. can be reached at (905) 725-5504.