IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS: D.A. MORRISON MIDDLE SCHOOL

Today our school received a letter from Toronto Public Health a copy of which will be provided to your son/daughter and which reads as follows:

"Dear Parent: Toronto Public Health has received notification of a possible case of chickenpox in your child's school. This letter is being sent to all parents to rpovide information about chickenpox.

Students exposed to chickenpox
If your child has ever had chickenpox infection your child is protected. Although chickenpox is a mild disease for most children, some people are at higher risk of becoming very ill. High-risk groups include newborns, pregnant women, children with leukemia, people with weak immune systems, people with serious illness or people on steroid treatment. If your child is in this high-risk group, he/she should be seen by a physician to discuss his/her risk and what can be done.

Students with chickenpox
If your child has chickenpox and has been in contact with anyone in a high-risk group (as listed above) while contagious (2 days before the rash begins to 5 days after the first blisters appear), contact these people immediately. Tell them they have been exposed to chickenpox and they need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Their physicians can call Toronto Publich health for further information.

If your child gets chickenpox, he/she can return to school when well enough to participate in all activities, even if the rash is still present. Chickenpox is most contagious 1-2 days before the rash appears when it spreads through the air by coughing and sneezing. Chickenpox is usually diagnosed after the rash appears so keeping students home from school does not stop the spread of chickenpox.

Preventing chickenpox
A vaccine for chickenpox is now available. If your chld has not yet had chickenpox or the vaccine, we recommend that your child should see your doctor to get vaccinated.

Additional information on chickenpox is available in the attached Fact Sheet: Chickenpox Disease and Vaccine Information.(hard copy to be provided to students)

If you have any questions or wish to discuss this in more detail, please call Carole Ann Deschenes, Communicable Disease Investigator, from Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7492. Yours truly, Carole Ann Deschenes, CPHI (C) Communicable Disease Investigator, Toronto Public Health, East Region"

TTC Photo ID for Grade Eights Thursday, October 13, 2011

This is a reminder that the TTC photographer will be at our school on Thursday, October 13, 2011. TTC photos are for those grade eight students (and any student who turns 13 by January 1, 2012) who wish to have their photo ID (student discount card) for the TTC. Student fare privileges are only available to teenage students who are 19 years of age or under at the commencement of the school year, effective September 6, 2011. Students must attend regular full-time classes at approved schools up to and including the high school level in Toronto. THE PRICE OF THIS CARD (ID) IS $5.25 AND MUST BE PAID AT THE TIME OF THE PHOTOGRAPH. CHILDREN'S FARES ARE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS 12 YEARS OF AGE OR UNDER - A STUDENT DISCOUNT CARD(PHOTO ID)IS NOT REQUIRED.

Should a student wish to obtain this card and is absent or unavailable on the morning of Thursday, October 13, 2011, application forms can be obtained from the Main Office. This completed application form can be taken along with $5.25 to the TTC Photo ID office at the Sherbourne(subway)Station at Sherbourne and Bloor Streets where photo ID can be arranged. Photography Office hours are set out on the said application form.

Immunization Clinics for Grade 7(male and female) and 8 (female) students for the 2011/2012 School Year

On October 21, 2011, nurses from Toronto Public Health will be in our school to provide the first of three doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to grade 8 female students. At that time the single dose of Meningitis vaccine along with the first of two doses of Hepatitis B vaccine will be provided to grade 7 male and female students.

Your child will need a signed consent form to be vaccinated. These forms along with fact sheets were provided to students this week for signature by parents/guardians and we would ask that they be returned to our school by Monday, September 19, 2011. Visit the Toronto Public Health website at http://www.toronto.ca/health/immunization_children/index.htm or call the immunization information line at (416)392-1250 for more information.

D. A. Morrison MS Curriculum Night and Welcome Back BBQ!

Please join us on Wednesday, September 14 (this is the correct date) at 5:15 for a presentation in the cafeteria, a meet and greet with teachers at 5:45 and our BBQ at 6:15 (Halal hot dogs available). A hot dog and drink are $1.00.  Your child was provided with a flyer today outlining this information and which also includes an RSVP tear-off.

Cafeteria Service - last day for this school year Friday, June 17, 2011

Recently, we have notified students by way of announcement as well as notificaton sent home that our cafeterial service will be ending for this school year as of Friday, June 17, 2011.  Please ensure that other arrangements for lunch have been made for your child for the balance of the school year.  Cafeterial service will resume in September of 2011.

TDSB Pool Lease Expiry

For more information

D.A. Morrison Middle School's April, 2011, Newsletter

Please see our latest newletter which was sent home with every student  last week.  There are many exciting events and activities in which our students and teachers have recently participated.  Unfortunately, we are not able to post this newsletter at this time.