| Editor's Note: The subcommittee officially changed their name from Health & Safety to Health & Wellness in November 2007.
Confusion in our Name
By Kathryn Ellis, Subcommittee Member
In my role as chair of the Parent Advisory Council (Council) last year I received a number of emails from parents in our school community with respect to safety issues. My hope in writing this article is to clarify the mandate of the Health and Safety subcommittee of the Council.
First and foremost I would like to clarify that the safety of your children when they are at school is ultimately the responsibility of the principal; Mr. Hopkins. If you feel in any way that your child’s safety is at risk from perceived hazards around the school, from bullying or any other unsafe condition, it is very important that you contact Mr. Hopkins.
I also received emails regarding safety at the daycare. Please be aware that the Council has no relationship with the day care services provided at CVPS. You should contact the daycare supervisor to resolve any concerns. If this does not work, contact Mr. Hopkins.
The Health and Safety Subcommittee does, however, look at how we can support a safe and healthy lifestyle for your children while they are at school. In the past we have supported initiatives such as a 911 safety program for primary students—this emphasized to the students how and when to obtain emergency help from fire, ambulance or police services. We also coordinated a Bike Rodeo to assist the students in understanding the importance of having a well maintained bicycle with safety features like reflectors and bells, the importance of wearing a helmet and wearing it properly, and the need to follow road safety rules when riding. Theses programs will likely be run again on a biennial basis.
The Health and Safety Subcommittee also developed the Lice Screening policy for our school which is available in the school office or online on our website at www.cvpsac.ca. As you know, the school recently underwent a lice screening after a case of lice was reported in the school. Subcommittee chair Sara Kirkup-Reeves quickly mobilized parent volunteers and the school nursing students in response. We identified a few more cases which were quickly treated by parents and stopped the spread at our school. While lice are not a threat to health, they are irritating and the itching that results from lice can affect a child’s ability to focus on learning.
Visit our subcommittee page on the Council website (www.cvpsac.ca) to learn more about what we do and to read our monthly meeting minutes. Or better yet, join us at our next meeting. The date, time and location are published on the website.
Cornell Village Public School suggests that children bring healthy and substantial, peanut-free snacks to
school. In line with Canada’s Food Guide, we recommend inclusion of one of each of the four food groups in
children’s lunches.
• Grain Products – breads, pitas, crackers, pastas, rice, bagels enriched with whole
wheat, multigrain
• Vegetables and Fruits – 100% juices can count in this category
• Milk Products – cheeses, milk, yogurt
• Meat & Alternatives – beef, poultry, fish, beans and lentils, tofu
Read our Safe/Unsafe Snack Foods Tip. |
