H1N1 and seasonal flu can take a real toll on your students. H1N1 has affected children and young adults at a greater rate than the regular seasonal flu. Almost half of the people hospitalized from H1N1 have been under the age of 24. And even a mild case of H1N1 can have a significant impact.

This year's flu season is anticipated to be a long one, and may last throughout the winter.

The single, most effective way to protect yourself against the flu is to receive both the H1N1 and seasonal flu shots. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is asking for your help in encouraging parents to speak to their children about getting vaccinated.

Here are some products that we hope will help you spread the word:

• A letter to parents from Dr. Arlene King, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health
• Flu Shot Fact Sheets for parents
• Flu Shot Article for school newsletters

All of these resources and more can be found by visiting: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ccom/flu/h1n1/public/schools.aspx

H1N1 Message from the Director of Education

Dear Staff, Parents, Guardians and Students,

With the return to school of our students, the Northeastern Catholic District School Board will continue to work closely with the Porcupine and Timiskaming Public Health Units to monitor and manage the threat of the H1N1 virus. It is our commitment to provide a safe school environment for all of our students. Furthermore, we are committed to ensuring that accurate information is communicated to all of our stakeholders and that appropriate precautionary measures are taken to protect our students and staff.

As a school system, we are:

• reviewing protocols with staff to raise their awareness and their role in prevention
• reviewing preventive protocols (i.e., cover your cough, sneeze etiquette, regular hand washing) with teachers, staff, volunteers and students
• providing up-to-date resources for staff in all schools to be used with students in their educational program
• providing alcohol based hand rub in all locations to help reduce the spread of germs
• maintaining frequent communication with the Porcupine and Timiskaming District Health Units

We will also add a number of links to our website for information about the H1N1 virus and will continue to review our practices and protocols with the two Health Units.

Please visit our website at www.ncdsb.on.ca for this information and these updates.