TORONTO — In addition to using common sense in trying to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus when school opens next week, educators are hopeful that worst-case scenarios won’t materialize, said Sonia Shron, executive director of Bialik Hebrew Day School.
After a recent meeting of the school’s medical advisory committee, comprised of doctors who are parents at the school, it was decided that committee members would work with teachers to teach children hand-washing techniques, have hand sanitizers in all classrooms and public areas, and send home regular updates, Shron said.
“We’re also going to ask parents to keep children home if they have any symptoms, and if a child is sent home, he will be kept in an isolation room until he is picked up.”
Shron said the school is asking the cleaning staff to concentrate on areas that children touch a lot, such as faucets and doorknobs.
Arthur Landa, executive director of Associated Hebrew Schools, said he has been thinking about how the school would deal with the threat of H1N1 since he read about how camps in Muskoka coped with it this summer.
“We’re in the process of creating a policy document detailing the responsibilities and expectations of all students, parents, staff, visitors – anyone who enters the school,” he said. “Basically, they’re told to use hand sanitizers, cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze, and stay home if they feel sick.”
He said the policy is based on information Associated has received from the Public Health Agency of Canada. “They give us directions about whether we should close the school. We don’t decide on our own.”
He said that teachers will keep their eyes open for any child who may be ill, and they will be given age-appropriate material to share with their students.
At Leo Baeck Day School, head of school Eric Petersiel said he’s relying on public health experts. “We’re members of the National Association of Private Schools in North America, and they also have issued protocols. Together, we try to put together a single, coherent policy that will keep everyone safe.”
Paul Shaviv, director of education at the Anne and Max Tanenbaum Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto, said his school is also using a common-sense approach to dealing with H1N1. “If I knew how to prevent it, I’d be rich and famous.”
He said his staff is following the advice of public health agencies and other school boards, “and we’re waiting to see what the new year brings.
“We’ll monitor things closely, but we’re dealing with young adults. They should know to do the right thing.”
