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The Seine River School Division (SRSD) is grateful for how the community has responded to news of a measles case at one of its high schools.
On Friday, the province sent out a notification stating that people at Collège Lorette Collegiate on May 12 between 8:20 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. may have been exposed to the disease.
"It was definitely unnerving, and I acknowledged that with our families," says Colin Campbell, superintendent of the SRSD. He notes this is the first measles case the division has had to address.
He says he sent a message to families after being contacted by Public Health, feeling it was important to reach out to them considering recent experiences.
"This is going to bring up some feelings of when our communities went through COVID and that being really challenging," he says. "This can be an emotional trigger for a lot of individuals."
Campbell expresses his gratitude for the calm and respectful approach taken by staff and parents.
"I think our kids are watching how adults handle these situations. For our parents and staff to stay calm and respect what Public Health's expectations are, I think (makes it) easier for students to understand how to work through this health issue," he says.
So far, he says his role has been to provide Public Health with the information they request. Otherwise, he says the health authority has led the way in contacting families and close contacts.
Within the SRSD, Campbell says staff are having conversations with students about measles and basic prevention. He urges families to do the same: Discussing what measles is, that it's contagious, and how it spreads.
"Make sure we're washing our hands, coughing in our sleeve, making sure if we're not feeling well—as in we have a respiratory cold, fever, or any of those—that we're staying home and taking care of ourselves," he says.
He adds that students have been doing an excellent job taking care of their health, which he deeply appreciates.
"In these moments, you want to look after yourself, but you're also looking after the people around you."