Air Quality Impacts on Schools

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2023

Our local public health units have issued statements regarding the current air quality situation (BCHU, HNHU). Poor air quality, with moderate to high-risk Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) values are expected through most of the week. When local AQHI values exceed 7 (considered “high-risk”):

• Higher-risk populations are advised to reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities.
• All others not in a high-risk population should consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor activities if they experience coughing or throat irritation. 

As a result, strenuous outdoor activities, including outdoor athletic events scheduled for Thursday June 8 and Friday June 9 will be cancelled in Grand Erie. Outdoor recess will continue, and staff and students are encouraged to avoid strenuous activity. Some may wish to stay inside.  

Field trips may continue but organizers will work to reduce strenuous outdoor activities, and some trips or events be rescheduled. 

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and should any additional steps need to be taken on the advice of Environment Canada and/or Public Health, we will provide additional information to schools and families.

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!!!”