UCDSB schools closing to extracurricular activities

UPDATED: Friday, October 30, 3 p.m.

The 89 schools of the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) will be closing to community use and extracurricular activities from Monday, November 2 to Monday, November 16 in an effort to reduce the spread of influenza A (H1N1) and focus on cleaning efforts.

UCDSB manager of communications Terry Simzer said the board is acting with the consultation of local health authorities, including the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU).

"[The closings are an effort] to reduce the outside activity within our schools, because whenever that occurs we have more cleaning to do," explained Simzer.

The schools will stay open for regular classes during that period.

He said more than 30 of the board's schools have rates of absenteeism higher than 10 per cent - classified as an outbreak by the EOHU - and that the board is transferring such information to local health units.

"We're looking at a fair number," said Simzer, adding: "What we do when we reach that rate of absenteeism is step up the cleaning methods. It's more thorough, including a better cleaning of surface areas, to ensure more hygienic conditions for students and staff alike."

He said the board has hired occasional teachers to replace staff who have left due to illness, and in some cases have also hired additional cleaning support staff.

According to the UCDSB Pandemic Response Plan, found on the board's website, it is acting according to the guidelines of Step 5, which indicates restriction of community use and the providing of information to health units.

Step 5 falls under the level of "Pandemic Alert," with the maximum being Step 7 or, "Pandemic Period."

Jeff Campbell, principal at Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute (VCI), acknowledged his school will be closing or postponing "league sporting events, community use activities, school dances, clubs, activities, exhibitions, and games."

The closings will help VCI ensure that support staff can concentrate on monitoring the illness and communicating with teachers and parents as well as proper cleaning.

The community use activities will include the Vankleek Hill Farmers' Market and the Prescott Players, he said.

Diane Bedford of the Vankleek Hill Farmers' Market acknowledged the inconvenience of the situation: "It's difficult for us, but we do have to accept there is cause for alarm. Maybe it's better to err on the side of caution. In the meantime, we'll be scrambling to find another venue for two weeks."

The market has 14 vendors.

Campbell noted VCI is not currently in an outbreak situation.

"We've been fairly fortunate lately," he said. "We have noticed the rates that some of the other schools are noticing but, at this point - knock on wood - we're doing okay."

- With files from Philippe Morin