Daily H1N1 Update from the Lester B. Pearson School Board

As of today, the percentage of total school board absences, elementary and high school combined, is 10%. 14 schools (Mount Pleasant, Edgewater, St. John Fisher Junior, Westpark, Sunshine Academy, St. Anthony, St. Patrick, Dorset, Westwood Junior, Westwood Senior, Beaconsfield High School, Beurling Academy, LaSalle Community Comprehensive High School and Macdonald High School) have reported more than 10% absenteeism. These absences may be due to a variety of reasons, including illness such as flu-like symptoms. Please note, four schools have pedagogical days and have not been factored into the overall percentage of absences.

The Lester B. Pearson School Board takes the health and safety of its students and staff very seriously and continues to monitor the H1N1 situation in schools. The school board keeps track of the total number of absences daily, stays in frequent contact with school administrators and Santé publique.

Principals and school staff continue: - To remind parents to keep sick children home - To send home any student or staff member displaying flu-like symptoms - To remind students to frequently wash their hands and to avoid sharing food and personal items - To be extra vigilant when cleaning and provide extra cleaning on high-contact surfaces

The Lester B. Pearson School Board is an English school board serving more than 32,000 students and staff in 60 schools, adult and vocational centers, an International Language Center, and an Administrative Center on a territory from Verdun westward to the Ontario border. The Lester B. Pearson School Board is recognized locally, nationally and internationally as a progressive and innovative public education institution pioneering a model of inclusive education, an acclaimed International Studies Program and as the first board in Quebec to pilot a universally-available half-day Kindergarten program for 4 year olds and a tri-lingual International full-day Pre-Kindergarten program.