Ernestown Intermediate and Secondary School

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Dear Families,</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We are sharing the following letter from Southeast Public Health, which contains important information for families:</span></p><hr><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Dear parents, guardians and staff:</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">RE: First Influenza A Confirmed Case of the Season</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Please be advised that Southeast Public Health (SEPH) has received laboratory confirmation of the first case of influenza A for the </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">2025-2026 </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">season. We are providing this information so that you will be able to take steps to ensure the best protection possible for yourself and your family.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Influenza causes mild to severe illness and can lead to serious health complications, even in healthy children and adults. Immunization is the best way to prevent influenza; even in years when there is a strain mismatch, the flu vaccine will still offer some protection. The influenza vaccine (flu shot) is available free of charge to anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Ontario who is 6 months of age and over. Contact your health-care provider or local pharmacy for your influenza vaccine if your family has not yet been immunized. For children under 5 years of age who cannot receive their immunization from their health-care provider, </span><a href="https://southeastph.ca/health-topics/respiratory-season-vaccines/" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Southeast Public Health is offering clinics</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Next to immunization, the single most important way to prevent the spread of infection is to clean hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers should only be used for children if they are assisted and should be stored out of reach of young children.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The symptoms of influenza include:</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">fever (greater than 38.0°C/100.4 °F)</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">dry cough</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">chills</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">headache</span></li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">muscle aches</span></li><li value="6" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">loss of appetite</span></li><li value="7" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">sore throat</span></li><li value="8" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">runny nose</span></li></ul><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;Young children may also experience nausea and vomiting with the above symptoms.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If your child is feeling unwell, please keep them home until they are fever-free and their symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if they’ve had vomiting or diarrhea). When your child returns to school, we encourage them to wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days from when their symptoms started to help keep others healthy. To learn more about how to protect yourself, your family, and your community from respiratory illnesses, visit </span><a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/protection-respiratory-illnesses" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ontario’s respiratory illness page</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Regards,</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Southeast Public Health</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/documents/6bda65e0-3a9d-4d62-a1ab-8bec162cbe25/2025-11-05-influenza-letter-for-schools.pdf" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A PDF version of this letter is available online</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: left;"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/1ce7164c-79ab-41b7-9799-15988886f670" alt="Group of LDSB representatives and more at the Collaborative Care Initiative launch" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Limestone District School Board and the Kingston Community Health&nbsp;Centre&nbsp;(KCHC)&nbsp;are part of the new Collaborative Care&nbsp;Initiative,&nbsp;a&nbsp;support model for students facing&nbsp;challenges at school and accessing community care,&nbsp;featuring integrated care and educational interventions.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This project is&nbsp;one of&nbsp;four new community initiatives funded&nbsp;by&nbsp;the Community Foundation for Kingston and Area, with the help of&nbsp;the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul Community Impact Fund.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The four new community initiatives were officially announced on&nbsp;October 7, 2025,&nbsp;at Providence Care&nbsp;Hospital.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“We are delighted that the efforts of so many individuals and organizations have led us to this opportunity to&nbsp;establish&nbsp;the Collaborative Care Initiative and partnership,” says Deborah Thompson, Limestone District School Board System Principal – Educational Services. “This&nbsp;unique and integrated&nbsp;approach will support students and their families to access services and programs through a streamlined and collaborative process.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“We deeply value the opportunity to learn, work, and partner with the team at KCHC and other partners in the community to make a difference over the next&nbsp;three&nbsp;years and beyond.”&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">An article about these community initiatives can be found on The Kingston Whig-Standard website:&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.thewhig.com/news/local-news/community-foundation-for-kingston-area-announces-1-5-million-multi-year-grant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Community Foundation for Kingston &amp; Area announces multi-year grant | The Kingston Whig Standard</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/8cfab1ec-d6b9-4c45-8150-688a50225001" alt="Laura Conboy Speaks at CFKA Community Collaboration Across Generations" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/40d7e7f1-6671-4b35-9bac-fc837db835f9" alt="Nicola Dillard Speaks at CFKA Community Collaboration Across Generations" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">All photos provided by the Community Foundation for Kingston and Area.</em></i></p>

<h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">You’re Invited: Level Up! Skilled Trades Career Fair Open House&nbsp;</span></h2><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Limestone families – explore student opportunities in the skilled trades!&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Join us for the Level Up! Open House and:&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Get up close:</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Watch skilled trades professionals in action during live demonstrations and explore using tools and machinery.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Meet the experts:</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Chat one-on-one with employers, apprentices, tradespeople and instructors who share real-world insights and personal journeys in the skilled trades.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Plan student pathways:</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Explore apprenticeship pathways with expert guidance and&nbsp;resources provided by Skilled Trades Ontario.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">When:</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> December 2, 2025, 3:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Where:</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Kingston, Slush Puppie Place, 1 The Tragically Hip Way, Kingston&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Who: </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">All Limestone families welcome&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cost:</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Free! No registration needed&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">About Level Up!&nbsp;</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Level Up! Skilled Trades Career Fairs are a series of dynamic, multi-day events that connect you with Ontario’s top skilled trades professionals from industry organizations, post-secondary institutions, businesses, associations and more.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit a skilled trades career fair near you and explore Ontario’s 140+ skilled trades through interactive exhibits and hands-on activities, while hearing directly from tradespeople and local employers about rewarding, life-changing career paths.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">To learn more, visit </span><a href="https://levelupontario.ca/open-house/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Open House - Level up!</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/5a69ffae-481c-460a-9989-73f6b4e3f6d8" alt="Level Up! Skilled Trades Career Fair Open House December 2 at Slush Puppie Place" width="654" height="845" style="width:654px;height:845px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>