Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-10-29, Page 1H1N1 vaccine clinics started in Huron County on Monday, Oct. 26. The Huron County Health Unit has organized over 20 clinics in the next six weeks. Because the vaccine is not all available at one time, H1N1 immunization is being offered first to the priority groups identified by the Public Health Agency of Canada. In Huron County clinics start the last week of October for: • people ages six months to 64 who have a chronic medical condition such as diabetes, heart or lung disease, or a condition that weakens the immune system; • healthy children six months to four years old • all pregnant women with pre- existing health conditions • healthy pregnant women in the second half of their pregnancy (more than 20 weeks) • people who live with or are caregivers for: - infants under six months of age - people with conditions that weaken the immune system. Healthcare workers are also an identified priority group. The health unit and health care workplaces are working together to develop a plan for H1N1 immunization. There is a special H1N1 vaccine for women who are less than 20 weeks pregnant. It will be available in early November. Any pregnant woman is encouraged to talk to their health care provider about the H1N1 vaccine. The general public can get their H1N1 shot at one of the many clinics in November. Medical officer of health Dr. Nancy Cameron says it’s very important for people to get their H1N1 flu shot when they qualify. “H1N1 is a new virus and can be a serious illness, particularly for those in the priority groups who are at higher risk. This vaccine is safe and effective. We know H1N1 flu virus is here – people at high risk of complications from the flu are encouraged to get to one of the clinics in the next two weeks. “ “We’re asking other members of the public to honour the need for those at high risk to be first to be vaccinated. There will be enough vaccine for everyone and we’re offering many clinic dates in November for the public, so please be patient. Vaccine will also be available at doctor’s offices in November.” Dr. Cameron says she knows it’s easy to get confused about who should get their vaccine and when. “People should go to our website, check the newspaper and listen to radio to know when the clinic best suited to them will be held.” Clinic dates are on the health unit website: www.huroncounty.ca/health. Slippery Some foods are just a little trickier to eat with your fingers, but Patrick Barfoot, one, gives it his best shot as he tries to pick up some jello while eating at the Ethel United Church supper in Grey school Sunday night. The youngster, who lives in Scotland, Ontario is the great- grandson of Ethel resident Helen Dobson. (Vicky Bremner) In an effort to appear transparent, Avon Maitland District School Board administrators brought forward their “best thinking” at the organizational meeting for the Huron East/North Perth Accommodation Review Committee Thursday night, Oct. 22 in Newry. While it was said several times that the option is only a starting point, it doesn’t look hopeful for two Huron East schools, as the board’s preferred option would see the closure of both Brussels and Grey Central Public Schools. The plan, according to superintendent of education/op- erations Mike Ash would be to send the Brussels kindergarten to Grade 6 students to the new North Huron school near Wingham, while the senior classes would be moved to F.E. Madill Secondary School. Grey students would attend Elma school. Boundary adjustments would be done so that students currently attending Elma could attend either Central or Eastdale in Listowel. A sixth school, Wallace Public in Gowanstown, was not included in this option. There were several drivers behind the option, said Ash. First putting more students in one building will allow the board to offer a better scope of programming. There will be the cost avoidance of major capital upgrades, for which there are fewer grant dollars than the day-to-day operating costs. By consolidating the schools, said Ash, there is also the potential for reductions in staff. Staff and trustees took every opportunity to remind that the most important outcome of any accommodation review is what’s best for the students. “This is an emotional ride. We understand that because we are talking about your schools. All we ask is that you keep an open mind. It’s about ensuring the best possible education into the future,” said Ash. Using an analogy that compared the schools to 1950s Chevrolets,Ash said that while the facilities may have been perfect for the needs when they were built, they fell short by today’s standards. “Things have changed,” he said. Now, the committee’s role said Huron East trustee Willie Laurie said, will be to try to shape what education should look like in Huron East and North Perth. “Think about education in the larger community, not just the school. The status quo won’t happen. There will be winners and losers.” Director of education Chuck Reid too spoke of the changing times in education. “We are in a different age. Programs are very complex and teachers need to work together.” Curriculum is constantly changing and teachers need to upgrade. “To do that they need to network and they can’t do that where staff is small.” Reid said there is also a need to build capacity around specialization. “I know that you’ve heard the board likes putting Grade 7 and 8s in high schools. But really the issue is not so much that as it is bringing Grade 7 and 8 teachers together.” Also behind the reviews is the fact that the funding has changed for school boards, said Reid. And with the recent news of a $1.4 billion provincial debt “it’s going to be a challenge to get money out of the Ministry,” he said. “But it doesn’t mean we can’t.” He mentioned that projects that bring schools together or involve partnerships, such as combining a school and a public library, will get more notice by the province. The option presented, he said, was what the board administration believed was best. But, he added, that changes have generally come after consultations. “We have not made a decision. This is a dynamic process that can change, so please when you hear us say this is what we are thinking, don’t think it’s the H1N1 vaccine clinics begin CitizenTh e $1.25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 Volume 25 No. 42NEWS- Pg. 12Belgrave Kinsmenproject moves on EDUCATION - Pg. 20Locals among Madillaward winnersSPORTS- Pg. 3Foundation donatesdefibrilator to HallPublications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 PAP Registration No. 09244 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON N0G 1H0INSIDE THIS WEEK: ARC option targets Huron East schools By Bonnie Gropp The Citizen Continued on page 7 October has come and almost gone and now we can look forward to a little less light come evening beginning next week. While the rather balmy temperatures last week may have fooled us into thinking the cold, dark days of winter were far away, the time to “fall back” is nigh. Remember to turn your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Halloween as we return to Eastern Standard Time at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. On the plus side, it does mean an extra hour of sleep that night.