Local Public Health: Help Stop the Spread

THURSDAY, NOV. 10, 2022

We are entering what is typically respiratory illness season, and our local public health units – Brant County Health Unit and Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit – are advising we are seeing increases in infection indicators across the Grand Erie region, including those for COVID-19 and flu. 

They have shared a letter with more information around respiratory illness season, and measures to help prevent the spread of these illnesses in our schools. They include:

• Wash your hands often
• Cover your cough
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands 
• Stay home when you’re sick – do not attend school or childcare, even with mild symptoms.  
• Wear a mask to protect against exposure to airborne and respiratory viruses 
• Make a plan in the event you or your child/children have to stay home from work, school or daycare
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations

You can find more information here, including information around booking COVID-19 vaccinations or the seasonal flu shot.

Grand Opening of the Snoezelen Room

Elgin Avenue Public School welcomed staff, students and community to the Grand Opening of the Snoezelen Room on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

On hand for this special occasion was Chair of the Board Carol Ann Sloat, Trustee Rita Collver and Superintendent Liana Thompson as well as several members of the community that contributed to the fundraising, and Elgin staff members.

Allie Richardson (teacher of students with autism), Lori Minarik (EA working with students with autism) and Samantha Nicholson (Principal) worked together for over three and a half years to fundraise for this $30,000 project. The Elgin community, parents, local charities and the Grand Erie District School Board all came together to make this project a huge success.

A Snoezelen Room is a multi-sensory environment that provides a controlled, safe, relaxing space for individuals with a variety of sensory needs. The room is set up to give individuals a positive space where they can meet their specific needs in a calming atmosphere. This atmosphere helps in reducing fear, anxieties, repetitive behaviour, self-abusive behaviour and aggressive behaviour so that students are better able to learn. Students at Elgin in both self-contained classes and in the regular classes will be able to access the room to help meet their sensory needs.

According to Seth, a student who accesses the room daily, “It is the best room ever!!!”