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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-04-20, Page 25THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1994. PAGE 25. Hullett PS hosts AIDS education meeting By Janice Becker Parents and other interested par­ ties were offered an opportunity to learn about AIDS, the risks and precautions and to ask questions at a public meeting held al Hullett Public School in Londesboro, on April 13. Diane Aitken, AIDS Co-ordina­ tor for the Huron County Health Unit in Clinton, spoke to the 70 people gathered, discussing the basics of the disease and the infor­ mation which parents should have to better inform their children. "The terms HIV and AIDS are often used interchangeably by the media and they should not be," she said. "HIV is the virus which causes the infection. The infection then leads to the development of the dis­ ease AIDS." Ms Aitken says, "The infection attacks the immune system. This system is such an integral part of the body which keeps us healthy and is so complex that the effects of the infection may not be felt for many years. Once felt, the effects are more long-term." "There still may be many people who do not know they have the dis­ ease," she says. "It is very important to point out that the virus is communicable, not contagious, and it is still very diffi­ cult to contract," says Mrs. Aitken. "There are two circumstances which must be present to pose a threat of contracting the disease and both conditions must apply." she says. "First, a person must be in con­ tact with a body fluid that contains enough of the virus to be communi­ cable. Those fluids are blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk." "Secondly, the virus must have direct access to the blood," Ms Aitken says. The most common ways infec­ tion occurs are through unprotected sex, shared needles such as with drug use or unsanitary tattoos, blood to blood contact as with transfusions (before quality testing was implemented at blood banks) or "blood brother" rituals and from mother to child through blood sup­ ply or breast milk. Brussels PA sets Written by Sherry Therrien and Malinda Exel Brussels Public School would like to thank the many parents who phone the school or send a note when their child is going to be away. This alerts teachers to the fact the absence is planned or unavoidable. Kindergarten registration was held on Monday, April 11. The parents and future students had an opportunity to meet Mrs. Hall in the Kindergarten room. As part of the registration, nurses from the Health Unit were there to conduct screening for speech, language, vision, and hearing as well as update immunization. Also on Monday, April 11, teachers from Brussels, Grey, Howick and Turnberry Schools attended a peer mediation workshop after school at Wingham Public School. Teacher presenters, Nancy McKeon and Linda Train, explained how the Peacemakers program was implemented on the playground at Wingham Public School, and the related social skills programs taught in primary and junior grades. Brussels staff will be examining how these programs can benefit our students. The Parents’ Association and Mr, Kemp are presently developing a Safe Arrival Program for Brussels Public. This will help ensure that all students are accounted for daily. Parents or interested citizens are invited to share their views with Janna Speers, President of the Parents' Association, or Mr. Kemp at the school (887-9361). Ms Aitken says the most valuable protection is knowledge and com­ mon sense precautions. "The virus is very fragile outside the body and can be killed by heat, bleach, soap and water and even air if exposed for a long enough peri­ od." up safety prog. On Wednesday, April 13, Brussels Public School sent seven students to the Huron County Science Fair. The fair was held in Goderich at The Knights of Columbus Hall. Representatives were Jason Walker, Jenny Gowing, Rob Burkholder, and Amy Crawford, from Grade 8 and Mike Cooper, Tracey Goodland and Amy McDougal, from Grade 7. All the students had a great time. Throughout the week the primary classes have diligently been planning the Spring concert. The theme this year is Old MacDonald's Farm. The participating grades are Kindergarten to Grade 4. The „ concert is May 5 at 7:30 p.m. On Thursday, April 14, the Grade 6 classes began participating in the Huron Game. This activity helps the students learn more about the different schools participating in Huron County, and to exchange ideas using the latest technology. During the game the students will have to guess which school is which by using clues accessed with the computer through the modem. Mrs. Uhler's class went to A Slice of Huron on Thursday morning. There were six groups, ranging from red meats to fruits and vegetables. Mrs. Uhler said that the program, run entirely by volunteers, was well organized. Matthew Clarkson said that he learned a lot about maple syrup. Michael Walker and Kendall Jutzi both learned lots about chickens and their food, and Samantha Thomas said she learned about animals and that she had fun. "When being tested for the virus, neither a positive or negative result is given after one lest. A series of tests is done over a six to 12 month period because the test is looking for the antibodies against the virus and it may take several months to develop," says Elma Plant, a local woman who tested positive to HIV several months ago. The Huron County Health Unit provides a three part information course to Grade 7 and 8 students informing them of a wide variety of health issues which includes AIDS education. The program encourages the stu­ dents to take responsibility for their life by making well informed deci­ sions. "We must give them the skills and the self-esteem to use the knowledge given to them, " she says. A session on ADDS awareness is available to any class upon request. Mrs. Plant and her husband Don, were present at the meeting to give the parents a first-hand look at the consequences of contracting HIV. Mrs. Plant was informed by her doctor 29 months ago that she had tested positive for the virus. She was three months pregnant at the time and had two small sons at home. Tests were done on the children, who tested negative, and her hus­ band, who is also HIV positive. Because the children were over the age of two when the tests were completed, there is no chance the virus will show up in the future. Mrs. Plant says, "The baby was bom healthy and has now passed the two-year mark for remaining negative. If the antibody had devel­ oped in the bloodstream against the virus, it would have been found within the first two years." "The most important part of the last few years is having a commu­ nity which is warm and caring. It has helped us get through a very difficult time," says Mrs. Plant. Ms Aitken says there are videos and resource materials available at the Huron County Health Unit in Clinton, through the local schools or through the HIV/AIDS Network. Information can be obtained by calling 482-1141. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS CARNATION CAMPAIGN Watch your donation blossom into a cure. On Mother’s Day week­ end, make a donation and lake a carnation from one of our volunteers. You’ll help find a cure lor the tens ol thousands of Canadians with multiple sclerosis. One flower could mean so much. Multiple Sclerosis SOCIETY OF CANADA To learn more, call 1-800-268-7582. 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