Thanks to the pedagogical and technological expertise
acquired with the Enhanced Learning Strategy
The Eastern Townships School Board would continue
to deliver educational services in the event schools
are closed due to a pandemic outbreak
Magog, September 5, 2007 – Thanks to the pedagogical and technological
expertise acquired with the Enhanced Learning Strategy, the students of the
Eastern Townships School Board (ETSB) would continue to receive quality
educational services in the event that schools are closed due to a pandemic
outbreak. This is an important part of the Pandemic Preparedness Plan
developed by the ETSB.
In keeping with its commitment to the safety and well being of its students
and staff, the Eastern Townships School Board has taken preventative and
proactive steps in the event of a pandemic arriving in the region. The
Pandemic Preparedness Plan is an action plan for the school board in the
event that there are confirmed cases of the human-to-human transmission of
the H5N1 bird flu.
Dr. Susan Poutanen of Toronto, one of the world’s leading research experts
in this field, concludes that the occurrence of a pandemic H5N1 bird flu,
transmitted from human-to-human, is inevitable. The ETSB began its work
on the plan in February 2007, before the Ministry of Education Sports and
Leisure had requested such plans from all school boards in the province.
The first phase of the plan emphasizes prevention and is to be in place in the
fall of 2007. A comprehensive hand washing and cough and sneeze protocol
information campaign will start in all schools and centres. “It is our hope
that by equipping our students and staff with the knowledge and tools for flu
and cold prevention, the spread of a pandemic in our communities would be
lessened” Ronald Canuel, Director General. The second phase is to ensure
the delivery of educational services, in the event that schools and centres
must be closed. “Such services will provide a linkage between the teachers
and the students through the school and school board websites and email
exchanges. In any context of disasters seen around the world, there is no
doubting that schooling is usually the first priority that communities
establish when faced with long term closures.” Ronald Canuel, Director
General.
The Pandemic Preparedness Plan has been developed by a committee
comprised of members of various ETSB departments and union groups.
Close collaboration with outside agencies and in particular health and social
services were necessary for the plan’s creation. Collaboration from all ETSB
partners and stakeholders will be essential for its completion and success.
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Source and information:
Sharon Priest
Information Officer
Eastern Townships School Board
priests@etsb.qc.ca
(819) 868-3140
www.etsb.qc.ca
Roch Bilodeau
Media Relationist
Phare Communications
rbilodeau@pharecom.ca
(819) 823-7216