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Peterborough artist turns a needle drop box into practical public art

Local artist Bethany LeBlonc recently transformed this needle drop box in Peterborough's Millennium Park into a work of practical public art. Her colourful design also includes a map of social support resources available in downtown Peterborough for people who are disposing of used needles in the box. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)

If you’ve seen one of the six needle drop boxes located in downtown Peterborough, you’d probably agree they aren’t particularly attractive. Intended for the secure and safe disposal of used needles (“sharps”), the mailbox-like drop boxes are painted bright yellow.

Now, thanks to a joint initiative by PARN-Your Community AIDS Resource Network and Artspace, the sharps boxes are getting a makeover. This past spring, the two organizations put out a call for proposals for local artists to submit creative designs to turn the boxes into works of public art, while supporting harm reduction.

Local artist Bethany LeBlonc recently completed her design on the sharps box located beside the trail at the King Street entrance to Millennium Park, near the Silver Bean Cafe.

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“This has been a really fun project, and also very close to my heart,” LeBlonc writes on Instagram. “Many people struggle with mental illness & addiction due to trauma and/or socio economic status. This can lead to homelessness, and further distress.”

LeBlonc’s design is not only colourful, but practical. She painted a map onto the sharps box to highlight social support resources available in downtown Peterborough such as Brock Mission and the YES Shelter for Youth and Families.

She says she did it “as a thank you to those who work to help our community, to know where to seek help if you need it, and hopefully encourage you to share with friends and strangers where they can go to seek help.”

To help raise awareness of available support services, LeBlonc also includes a link to a Google Map on her Instagram. The map lists resources and locations for those who may the services.

“We are all just people,” LeBlonc writes. “Please be kind and help one another.”

This isn’t the first time LeBlonc has created art in the context of social issues. In January, her paintings of local social issues such homelessness were on exhibit at Simply Delicious in downtown Peterborough. To see other samples of LeBlonc’s art, visit her Instagram account at @bethany.leblonc.

Before and after: the needle drop boxes are usually painted bright yellow. (Photos: Artspace and Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
Before and after: the needle drop boxes are usually painted bright yellow. (Photos: Artspace and Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)

Peterborough’s needle drop box program was expanded in November 2018 in a partnership between PARN, Peterborough Public Health, the Canadian Mental Health Association – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA-HKPR), and the City of Peterborough.

Four boxes were installed, with one behind the Peterborough Library, one along the Millennium Trail, one on the eastern side of the Otonabee River near the train bridge, and one in front the One Roof program at 99 Brock Street.

The four new boxes were in addition to the needle drop boxes in front of the CMHA-HKPR office at 466 George Street and the fire station at 210 Sherbrooke Street.

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“Our experience tells us that people who use injection drugs want to dispose of their supplies safely,” said former PARN executive director Kim Dolan when the program was expanded. “Hundreds of people come through the doors of our agency every year to return used syringes.”

“By placing these boxes at various points in the city, we will provide more options for people to return their used equipment and further reduce the instances when needles are found in public spaces.”

Local artist Bethany LeBlonc's design adorning the eedle drop box in Peterborough's Millennium Park includes a map on the sides and back of social support available in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
Local artist Bethany LeBlonc’s design adorning the eedle drop box in Peterborough’s Millennium Park includes a map on the sides and back of social support available in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)

92 new COVID-19 cases in Ontario, no new cases in greater Kawarthas region

The drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic at Kinsmen Civic Centre in Peterborough for residents without symptoms has been running since May 27, 2020. (Photo: Peterborough Paramedics / Twitter)

Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.

Ontario is reporting 92 new cases of COVID-19, which includes cases from Toronto Public Health omitted from yesterday’s data. Ontario has had fewer than 100 new daily cases on each of the past 12 days, except for one day. The number of hospitalized patients and patients in ICU also continues to decline, and the number of patients on ventilators has fallen under 10 for the first time since the peak of the pandemic.

In the greater Kawarthas region, there are no new cases to report in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, Haliburton, or Prince Edward and Hastings counties. Two additional cases in Haliburton are now resolved, as is one additional case in Prince Edward and Hastings counties.

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Since the pandemic began, there have been 100 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (97 resolved with 2 deaths), 177 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (156 resolved with 32 deaths), 26 in Northumberland County (26 resolved with no deaths), 15 in Haliburton County (14 resolved with no deaths), and 44 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County (39 resolved with 5 deaths). The most recent death was reported on May 7 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.

Province-wide, there have been 40,459 confirmed cases, an increase of 92 from yesterday’s report, with 36,772 (90.9% of all cases) resolved, an increase of 83. There have been 2,788 deaths, an increase of 1 from yesterday, with 1,800 deaths reported in long-term care homes (no change from yesterday). A total of 2,528,403 tests have been completed, an increase of 30,137 from yesterday, with 35,426 tests under investigation, an increase of 6,337.

This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by health units. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.

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Peterborough Public Health

Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.

Confirmed positive: 100 (no change)
Active cases: 1 (no change)
Deaths: 2 (no change)
Resolved: 97 (no change)
Total tests completed: Over 23,000 (increase of 100)
Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)

 

Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s service area is the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.

The health unit provides reports on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, excluding statutory holidays.

Confirmed positive: 218, including 177 in Kawartha Lakes, 26 in Northumberland, 15 in Haliburton (no change)
Probable cases: 0 (decrease of 1)
Hospitalizations (total to date): 14 (no change)
Deaths: 32 (no change)
Resolved: 196, including 156 in Kawartha Lakes, 26 in Northumberland, 14 in Haliburton (increase of 2, in Haliburton)
Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)

 

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.

The health unit provides reports on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, excluding statutory holidays.

Confirmed positive: 44 (no change)
Deaths: 5 (no change)
Hospitalized: 0 (no change)
Hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (no change)
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 0 (no change)
Recovered: 39 (increase of 1)
Total tests completed: 19,479 (no change)
Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)

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Province of Ontario

Confirmed positive: 40,459 (increase of 92)
Resolved: 36,772 (increase of 83, 90.9% of all cases)
Hospitalized: 41 (decrease of 2)
Hospitalized and in ICU: 17 (decrease of 3)
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 9 (decrease of 1)
Deaths: 2,788 (increase of 1)
Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,800 (no change)
Total tests completed: 2,528,403 (increase of 30,137)
Tests under investigation: 35,426 (increase of 6,337)

New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from July 14 - August 13, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from July 14 – August 13, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from July 14 - August 13, 2020. The red line is the number of tests completed daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from July 14 – August 13, 2020. The red line is the number of tests completed daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)

 

For more information about COVID-19 in Ontario, visit covid-19.ontario.ca.

The Beach Report for August 14 to 20, 2020

Every Friday during swimming season, we post The Beach Report™ — our weekly report of the results of water quality testing at beaches in the greater Kawarthas region — and update it throughout the week as conditions change.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, going to the beach is a different experience this year. Public health officials recommend staying home if you feel sick, visiting a beach close to your home to avoid unnecessary travel, bringing hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes, and maintaining at least two metres of physical distance from other beachgoers.

As of Thursday, August 20th, the following beaches have been posted as unsafe for swimming:

  • Norwood in Peterborough County (based on August 18 sample)
  • Rotary Head Lake Beach in Haliburton County (based on August 11 sample)

The following beaches are closed until further notice due to COVID-19:

  • Crowe Bridge Park in Trent Hills (Northumberland County)
  • Victoria Park in Cobourg (Northumberland County)
  • Little Lake in Cramahe (Northumberland County)
  • Sandy Bay Beach in Alnwick Haldimand (Northumberland County)
  • Hiawatha in Hiawatha First Nation (Peterborough County)
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Below are the complete results of water quality testing at beaches in Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County.

In the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Public Health Inspectors sample the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead every business day, and public beaches in the County of Peterborough are sampled at least once a week (except for Chandos Beach, Quarry Bay Beach, and White’s Beach which are sampled at least once in June, July, and August).

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides weekly testing results for beaches in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County. Testing is based on the most recent test results from the provincial lab in Peterborough for water samples taken from these beaches.

During the summer, local health units sample water at area beaches and test for bacteria such as E. coli to determine if the water quality at a beach is safe for public use. Popular beaches, like the beach at Roger's Cove in Peterborough's East City, are tested every business day while most other beaches are tested weekly. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
During the summer, local health units sample water at area beaches and test for bacteria such as E. coli to determine if the water quality at a beach is safe for public use. Popular beaches, like the beach at Roger’s Cove in Peterborough’s East City, are tested every business day while most other beaches are tested weekly. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)

Important note

The following test results may not reflect current water quality conditions. Water samples can take one to three days to process and heavy rainfall, high winds or wave activity, large numbers of waterfowl near a beach, or large numbers of swimmers can rapidly change water quality.

You should always check current conditions before deciding to use a beach. You should also monitor other factors that might suggest a beach is unsafe to use, such as floating debris, oil, discoloured water, bad odours, and excessive weed growth.

While we strive to update this story with the current conditions, you should confirm the most recent test results by visiting the local health unit websites at Peterborough Public Health and Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit. As noted above, the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead are tested every business day so the results listed below may not be current.

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Peterborough City/County

City of Peterborough Beaches (sampled each business day)

Roger’s Cove (131 Maria St, Peterborough) – sample date 19-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Beavermead (2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough) – sample date 19-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Peterborough County Beaches (sampled weekly)

Back Dam Beach (902 Rock Rd., Warsaw, Township of Douro-Dummer) – sample date 17-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Buckhorn (John Street, Buckhorn) – sample date 18-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Crowe’s Line Beach (240 Crowe’s Line Rd, Harvey) – sample date 18-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Curve Lake Lance Woods Park (Whetung St E, Curve Lake) – sample date 18-Aug-2020 : SAFE

Curve Lake Henry’s Gumming (Chemong St S, Curve Lake) – sample date 18-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Douro (205 Douro Second Line, Douro-Dummer) – sample date 18-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Ennismore (1053 Ennis Road, Ennismore) – sample date 19-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Hiawatha (1 Lakeshore Rd, Hiawatha) – CLOSED for the season

Jones Beach (908 Jones Beach Road, Bridgenorth) – sample date 17-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Lakefield Park (100 Hague Boulevard, Lakefield) – sample date 17-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Norwood (12 Belmont St, Norwood) – sample date 18-Aug-2020 – UNSAFE

Sandy Lake (1239 Lakehurst Road, Municipality of Trent Lakes) – sample date 18-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Selwyn (2251 Birch Island Road, Selwyn) – sample date 17-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Squirrel Creek Conservation Area (2445 Wallace Point Rd, South Monaghan) – sample date 19-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Warsaw Caves (289 Caves Rd, Warsaw) – sample date 18-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Peterborough County Beaches (sampled monthly)

Belmont Lake (376 Miles of Memories Road, Belmont) – sample date 13-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Chandos Beach (Hwy 620, North Kawartha) – sample date 16-Jul-2020 – SAFE

Kasshabog Lake (431 Peninsula Road, Methuen) – sample date 13-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Quarry Bay (1986 Northey’s Bay Rd, Woodview) – sample date 13-Aug-2020 – SAFE

White’s Beach (Clearview Drive, Galway) – sample date 23-Jun-2020 – SAFE

 

City of Kawartha Lakes

Beach Park – Bobcaygeon – sample date August 11 – SAFE

Birch Point – Fenelon Falls – sample date August 17 – SAFE

Blanchards Road Beach – Bexley – sample date August 17 – SAFE

Bond Street – Fenelon Falls – sample date August 18 – SAFE

Burnt River Beach – Somerville – sample date August 17 – SAFE

Centennial Beach – Verulam – sample date August 11 – SAFE

Centennial Park West – Eldon – sample date August 17- SAFE

Burnt River Four Mile Lake – Somerville – sample date August 17 – SAFE

Head Lake – Laxton – sample date August 17 – SAFE

Norland Bathing Area – Laxton – sample date August 17 – SAFE

Omemee Beach – Emily/ Omemee – sample date August 18 – SAFE

Riverview Beach Park – Bobycaygeon – sample date August 11 – SAFE

Sturgeon Point Beach – Fenelon Falls – sample date August 4 – SAFE

Valentia Beach (Sandbar Beach) – Valentia – sample date August 11- SAFE

Verulam Recreational Park – Verulam – sample date August 17 -SAFE

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Haliburton County

Bissett Beach – Minden – sample date August 11 – SAFE

Dorsett Parkette – Algonquin Highlands – sample date August 11 – SAFE

Eagle Lake – Dysart et al – sample date July 21 – SAFE

Elvin Johnson Park – Algonquin Highlands – sample date August 11 – SAFE

Forsters Beach – Minden – sample date August 11 – SAFE

Glamor Lake Park – Highland East – sample date July 14 – SAFE

Gooderham Lake – Highland East – sample date July 14 – SAFE

Haliburton Lake South – Dysart et al – sample date July 21 – SAFE

Rotary Head Lake Beach – Dysart et al – sample date August 11 – UNSAFE

Wilbermere Lake – Highland East – sample date July 14 – SAFE

Horseshoe Lake – Minden – sample date August 11 – SAFE

Rotary Park Lagoon – Minden – sample date August 11 – SAFE

Rotary Park Main – Minden – sample date August 11 – SAFE

Paudash Lake – Highland East – sample date July 14 – SAFE

West Gilford Pine Lake – Dysart et al – sample date July 21 – SAFE

Sand Point – Dysart et al – sample date July 21 – SAFE

Sandy Cove – Dysart et al – sample date July 21 – SAFE

Kashagauigamog Lake (Silver Lake) – Dysart et al – sample date July 14 – SAFE

Twelve Mile Beach – Minden – sample date August 11 – SAFE

 

Northumberland County

Bewdley Optimist Park – Hamilton – sample date August 17 – SAFE

Crowe Bridge Park – Trent Hills – CLOSED due to COVID-19

Harwood Waterfront & Dock – Hamilton – sample date August 17- SAFE

Hastings Waterfront North – Trent Hills – sample date August 17 – SAFE

Hastings Waterfront South – Trent Hills – sample date August 17 – SAFE

Little Lake – Cramahe – CLOSED due to COVID-19

Caldwell Street Beach – Port Hope – sample date August 17 – SAFE

East Beach – Port Hope – sample date August 17 – SAFE

West Beach – Port Hope – sample date August 17 – SAFE

Sandy Bay Beach – Alnwick Haldimand – CLOSED due to COVID-19

Victoria Park – Cobourg – CLOSED for summer 2020 due to COVID-19

Wicklow Beach – Alnwick Haldimand – sample date August 17 – SAFE

Ontario education minister says he would support staggering beginning of school year

Ontario education minister Stephen Lecce says he would support school boards that wish to stagger the beginning of the school year on September 8th.

Lecce’s comment at a media conference on Thursday afternoon (August 13) came hours after the Ontario Principals’ Council released a statement recommending all class sizes be limited and that the Ontario government delay the reopening of schools by an additional week, as well as stagger the first week of school.

The council, a voluntary professional association with 5,400 members, has four recommendations it believes will help ensure schools can reopen safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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“There are additional concerns that we believe the government needs to address immediately, to ensure that students, parents, staff and administrators feel comfortable returning to school,” the statement reads.

The council is recommending that:

  • All elementary and secondary schools classes be limited to a size that ensures a minimum of two metres of physical distancing between students and staff, and that all kindergarten classes be limited to 15 students.
  • The start of the 2020 school year be delayed for all students until September 14, to allow schools more time to prepare for reopening.
  • Students be staggered back into schools over the course of the week of September 14-18, so that not all students return to schools at once. The council states this will allow both staff and students to adjust to the new situation.
  • Resources be put in place to ensure any student or staff member who may have developed the virus be tested and receive their results back on an expedited basis.

The council’s complete statement is provided at the end of this story.

On August 13, 2020, Ontario education minister Stephen Lecce provided an update on Ontario's back-to-school plan, including allowing school boards to access up to $496 million in reserve funding. (CPAC screenshot)
On August 13, 2020, Ontario education minister Stephen Lecce provided an update on Ontario’s back-to-school plan, including allowing school boards to access up to $496 million in reserve funding. (CPAC screenshot)

During his Thursday afternoon media conference at Queen’s Park, Lecce provided an update on Ontario’s back-to-school plan.

“Effective immediately I’m directing that boards will be able to invest nearly half a billion dollars in funding to support local priorities, with a focus on greater social distancing in class,” Lecce announced. “While many boards are already looking at utilizing other school community spaces, this funding will also support them further to do that if it is required.”

Lecce says the $496 million in funding will come from school boards’ reserve funds. The government will allow boards to access up to two per cent of their unspent contingency funding, for this year only, with the government providing up to $11 million in funding for the four boards that have no reserves.

School boards can use the reserve funds to support increased physical distancing among students by leasing additional space for classrooms, hiring additional teachers and staff, or both.

Lecce also announced $50 million in new one-time support for schools to upgrade their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to improve air flow and quality.

“This will give peace of mind that the air our children is breathing is safe,” Lecce said. “These upgrades can commence immediately.”

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For students learning remotely, from kindergarten to grade 12, Lecce says the Ontario government is mandating up to 225 minutes of the standard 300-minute day (75 per cent) for live synchronous learning (video conferencing) with a teacher. The government will provide $18 million to help school boards to hire support staff to deliver the live synchronous learning.

While Lecce did not address the statement from the Ontario Principals’ Council, in response to questions from several reporters asking how schools would be able to make any necessary improvements as a result of Lecce’s announcement before September 8th, the minister said he would support boards that wish to stagger the beginning of the school year.

“If school boards are saying to me that a bit of a more cautious restart — a staggered restart, having lower numbers of students en masse enter school — and they’d rather do it through that approach, I’m going to support any concept to de-risk the circumstance for kids, and that seems reasonable and not outside the spirit of our plan, which is to get kids back to school the beginning of September,” Lecce said.

 

PDF: Statement by the Ontario Principals’ Council – Reopening of Schools
Statement by the Ontario Principals' Council - Reopening of Schools

One new COVID-19 case in Peterborough, 78 cases in Ontario excluding Toronto

Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.

Ontario is reporting 78 new cases of COVID-19; however, this does not include cases from Toronto as those numbers are unavailable today. Hospitalizations have declined again and the number of ICU admissions and patients on ventilators remains the same.

In the greater Kawarthas region, Peterborough Public Health is reporting its 100th case of COVID-19. The health unit advises the infected person is in isolation and all close contacts have been traced. This is the only active case of COVID-19 in the Peterborough area.

Numbers are unavailable for Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, Haliburton, or Prince Edward and Hastings counties, as the respective health units for those areas only issue reports on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

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Since the pandemic began, there have been 100 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (97 resolved with 2 deaths), 177 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (156 resolved with 32 deaths), 26 in Northumberland County (26 resolved with no deaths), 15 in Haliburton County (12 resolved with no deaths), and 44 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County (38 resolved with 5 deaths). The most recent death was reported on May 7 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.

Province-wide, there have been 40,367 confirmed cases, an increase of 78 from yesterday’s report (this excludes Toronto cases as those numbers are unavailable today). Of confirmed cases, 36,689 (90.9% of all cases) are resolved, an increase of 99. There have been 2,787 deaths (no change from yesterday), with 1,800 deaths reported in long-term care homes (no change from yesterday). A total of 2,498,266 tests have been completed, an increase of 29,626 from yesterday, with 29,049 tests under investigation, an increase of 6,995.

This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by health units. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.

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Peterborough Public Health

Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.

Confirmed positive: 100 (increase of 1)
Active cases: 1 (increase of 1)
Deaths: 2 (no change)
Resolved: 97 (no change)
Total tests completed: Over 22,900 (increase of 200)
Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)

 

Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s service area is the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.

The health unit provides reports on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, excluding statutory holidays. These numbers are from August 12.

Confirmed positive: 218, including 177 in Kawartha Lakes, 26 in Northumberland, 15 in Haliburton (no change)
Probable cases: 1 (no change)
Hospitalizations (total to date): 14 (no change)
Deaths: 32 (no change)
Resolved: 194, including 156 in Kawartha Lakes, 26 in Northumberland, 12 in Haliburton (increase of 1, in Northumberland)
Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)

 

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.

The health unit provides reports on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, excluding statutory holidays. These numbers are from August 12.

Confirmed positive: 44 (no change)
Deaths: 5 (no change)
Hospitalized: 0 (no change)
Hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (no change)
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 0 (no change)
Recovered: 38 (no change)
Total tests completed: 19,479 (increase of 189)
Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)

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Province of Ontario

Confirmed positive: 40,367 (increase of 78)*
Resolved: 36,689 (increase of 99, 90.9% of all cases)
Hospitalized: 43 (decrease of 7)
Hospitalized and in ICU: 20 (no change)
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 10 (no change)
Deaths: 2,787 (no change)
Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,800 (no change)
Total tests completed: 2,498,266 (increase of 29,626)
Tests under investigation: 29,049 (increase of 6,995)

*As updated data from the Toronto Public Health CORES system is not available, this is an underestimation of the daily case count.

New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from July 13 - August 12, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from July 13 – August 12, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from July 13 - August 12, 2020. The red line is the number of tests completed daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from July 13 – August 12, 2020. The red line is the number of tests completed daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)

 

For more information about COVID-19 in Ontario, visit covid-19.ontario.ca.

Local artist Kathryn Durst to create public art mural in downtown Peterborough

Peterborough artist Kathryn Durst (pictured with her dog Chili) has been selected to create a public art mural in downtown Peterborough commissioned by the First Friday Ptbo Art Crawl. Trained in animation, Durst is now an illustrator of children's books, including Sir Paul McCartney's best-selling children's book "Hey Grandude!", which was published in 2019. (Photo via First Friday Ptbo / Facebook)

Peterborough artist Kathryn Durst has been chosen to create a public art mural in downtown Peterborough commissioned by the First Friday Ptbo Art Crawl.

The mural will cover the two interior walls of the alleyway of the Commerce Building, at the northwest corner of Water and Hunter streets, which is home to the studios of many of the artists who have participated in the monthly art craw (currently on hiatus due to the pandemic).

The mural project is supported by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) and Ashburnham Realty, which owns the Commerce Building.

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The First Friday Ptbo mural selection committee reviewed proposals from 20 local artists before selecting Durst’s proposal for the mural.

Born in Peterborough, Durst graduated from St. Peter Secondary School and then studied animation at Sheridan College. She was an intern at Pixar Animation Studios and worked at several animation studios before launching a career as an illustrator for children’s books.

She achieved international media coverage for illustrating the New York Times best-selling children’s book Hey Grandude!, written by Sir Paul McCartney and published by Penguin Random House in 2019.

Some of Peterborough native Kathryn Durst’s illustrations for Sir Paul McCartney's best-selling children's book "Hey Grandude!", which was published in 2019.  (Photos: Penguin Random House)
Some of Peterborough native Kathryn Durst’s illustrations for Sir Paul McCartney’s best-selling children’s book “Hey Grandude!”, which was published in 2019. (Photos: Penguin Random House)

The 30-year-old Durst lives in Peterborough with her dog Chili.

To see samples of her art, visit her website at www.kathryndurst.com or her Instagram account @kathryndurst.

Durst receives a $3,000 award to create the mural, which must be completed using exterior latex paint only by the end of August.

When the mural is completed, First Friday Ptbo will be host a mural launch in September (date to be confirmed).

Pack the food but not the litter in your child’s lunch this school year

You can make healthier lunches for your child and help the environment by embracing the litterless lunch this school year. Use reusable stainless steel containers and, when preparing your child's lunch, try to get them involved in the packing process. When children have a voice and can choose their own lunch options, they are more likely to eat it and throw less food away. (Photo: Kristen LaRocque / GreenUP)

With the ongoing pandemic and the school year nearly here, I (like other parents I know) feel that things are difficult to balance.

As I think about back-to-school preparations, I appreciate that the packed lunch is still an easy and safe way to give my child nutritious food and some comfort from home during the school day. It’s also a manageable way we can balance our pandemic concerns with our environmental aspirations.

In an effort to help ease preparations, I am sharing 10 tips to make our lunches litter-less, while keeping things simple and safe during the pandemic.

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1. Avoid pre-packaged products

Reducing waste inside the home requires us to change our habits outside of the home.

When we grocery shop, instead of reaching for a package of cheese strings, consider buying a brick of cheese and cutting it creatively. Rather than buying pre-packaged produce, opt for the unpackaged options and bring your own produce bags.

Consistently choosing lunch snacks that have limited or no packaging is a great way to reduce waste.

 

2. Involve your child in the lunch-packing process

Depending on their age, you can split the workload while encouraging independence and ownership.

When children have a voice and can choose their own lunch options, they are more likely to eat it.

 

3. Skip the juice boxes

Consider swapping out sugary juice boxes with a single stainless-steel water bottle that can be filled (and refilled) with good old H2O right from the tap. Getting into the habit of drinking water at lunch is good for your child’s health and your pocketbook.

Though juice boxes are recyclable, they are often not rinsed properly before being put into the bin. This leads to contamination of other recyclables and can result in the whole lot being sent to landfill.

In speaking with teachers and education assistants, I have learned that juice boxes are the number one unfinished lunch item, and more often than not they end up half-full in the garbage.

 

4. Choose reusable stainless steel containers instead of plastic ones

Stainless-steel water bottles are durable, light, and free of harmful toxins meaning your children will be able to safely enjoy their beverages while cutting back on plastic bottles.  (Photo:  Kristen LaRocque / GreenUP)
Stainless-steel water bottles are durable, light, and free of harmful toxins meaning your children will be able to safely enjoy their beverages while cutting back on plastic bottles. (Photo: Kristen LaRocque / GreenUP)

Opt for reusable stainless-steel containers, thermoses, and water bottles.

Stainless steel is relatively easy to clean using hot water and soap. A bottle brush can help you clean inside thermoses and water bottles. Stainless steel is also durable, light, and free of BPA and other harmful toxins.

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a report in 2018 acknowledging the growing body of evidence that suggests chemicals added to food directly or indirectly via packaging could have long-term developmental repercussions in children.

 

5. Have a practice lunch with your kids

Practise your lunch routine before school starts by packing a demo lunch and going on a picnic. This gives you the opportunity to see your child’s lunch gear in action.

Check to see that your young ones can open and close the containers by themselves. This way you can be sure the food you pack is accessible.

This also ensures your child will not have to ask for help from school staff.

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6. Select reusable fabric snack bags instead of plastic ones

Reach for reusable fabric snack bags rather than plastic ones. Reusable bags offer the element of surprise and the novelty of opening a colourful package.

They are easy to wipe out at the end of the day and can be tossed in the washing machine for a deep clean.

 

7. Use beeswax food wraps instead of plastic wrap

Beeswax food wraps are an easy, long-lasting way to reduce the amount of plastic in your lunches. This plastic wrap alternative has a lifespan of over a year with regular use. (Photo:  Kristen LaRocque / GreenUP)
Beeswax food wraps are an easy, long-lasting way to reduce the amount of plastic in your lunches. This plastic wrap alternative has a lifespan of over a year with regular use. (Photo: Kristen LaRocque / GreenUP)

Swap out that plastic cling wrap. This disposable product can easily be replaced with beeswax food wraps.

These sustainable alternatives are reusable, washable with cold water, and compostable after approximately one year of use.

 

8. Bake your own granola bars

Pre-packed granola bars may seem like a convenient snack option, but the wrappers are not recyclable — meaning they’re destined for landfill. A great alternative is baking your own granola bars in large batches, which you can freeze and thaw as needed.

This offers an opportunity for your child to be involved in the baking process, not to mention you can customize your creation and add all your favourite healthy ingredients.

 

9. Do some research!

Reusable stainless-steel lunch containers, like the ones made by PlanetBox, are an excellent way to keep your food fresh and free of plastic. (Photo:  Kristen LaRocque / GreenUP)
Reusable stainless-steel lunch containers, like the ones made by PlanetBox, are an excellent way to keep your food fresh and free of plastic. (Photo: Kristen LaRocque / GreenUP)

Consider consulting with teachers, fellow parents, and online resources for lunch-packing inspiration. A quick Google search will bring up hundreds of blog posts and articles with parents documenting their school lunch ideas.

One of my favourite ideas is fresh fruit or vegetable skewers. Try visiting the website of the brand of your child’s lunchbox. For example, the PlanetBox website provides specific recipes that help you make the most of the compartments provided.

 

10. Properly dispose of packaging

It’s not always possible to avoid packaging.

If you are looking to check up on the recyclability of specific items within the City of Peterborough, there is an excellent online resource located on the City of Peterborough Waste Management web page called What Goes Where.

The web page allows you to search a particular item or material and receive specific instruction about how and where it’s disposed.

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The GreenUP Store offers a variety of tools to help you create your child’s litter-less lunch kit. We carry many reusable stainless-steel containers from reputable brands like PlanetBox, Onyx, and UKonserve. The products feature easy-open lids, silicone seals, or insulated double-walls to keep food warm or cold. We also have many reusable water bottles, lunch bags, fabric snack bags, and more.

For more information, visit our website at greenup.on.ca/greenup-store. Please visit us at the GreenUP Store at 378 Aylmer Street in downtown Peterborough, give us a call at 705-745-3238 ext. 222, or email kristen.larocque@greenup.on.ca with your zero-waste lunch questions.

No new COVID-19 cases to report in greater Kawarthas region, 95 new cases in Ontario

Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.

A day after reporting the lowest number of new COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began (33), Ontario is reporting 95 new cases. Of the province’s 34 public health units, 28 have reported five or fewer cases, with 16 of them reporting no new cases at all. The number of hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and patients on ventilators continues to decrease.

In the greater Kawarthas region, there are no new cases to report today in the Peterborough area, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, Haliburton, or Prince Edward and Hastings counties. In Peterborough, all cases of COVID-19 are now resolved, with all cases in Northumberland also now resolved.

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Since the pandemic began, there have been 99 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (97 resolved with 2 deaths), 177 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (156 resolved with 32 deaths), 26 in Northumberland County (26 resolved with no deaths), 15 in Haliburton County (12 resolved with no deaths), and 44 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County (38 resolved with 5 deaths). The most recent death was reported on May 7 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.

Province-wide, there have been 40,289 confirmed cases, an increase of 95 from yesterday’s report, with 36,590 cases (90.8% of all cases) resolved, an increase of 134. There have been 2,787 deaths, and increase of 1 from yesterday), with 1,800 deaths reported in long-term care homes (no change from yesterday). A total of 2,468,640 tests have been completed, an increase of 24,572 from yesterday, with 22,054 tests under investigation, an increase of 7,377 from yesterday.

This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by health units. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.

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Peterborough Public Health

Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.

Confirmed positive: 99 (no change)
Active cases: 0 (decrease of 2)
Deaths: 2 (no change)
Resolved: 97 (increase of 2)
Total tests completed: Over 22,700 (increase of 200)
Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)

 

Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s service area is the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.

The health unit provides reports on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, excluding statutory holidays.

Confirmed positive: 218, including 177 in Kawartha Lakes, 26 in Northumberland, 15 in Haliburton (no change)
Probable cases: 1 (no change)
Hospitalizations (total to date): 14 (no change)
Deaths: 32 (no change)
Resolved: 194, including 156 in Kawartha Lakes, 26 in Northumberland, 12 in Haliburton (increase of 1, in Northumberland)
Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)

 

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.

The health unit provides reports on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, excluding statutory holidays.

Confirmed positive: 44 (no change)
Deaths: 5 (no change)
Hospitalized: 0 (no change)
Hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (no change)
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 0 (no change)
Recovered: 38 (no change)
Total tests completed: 19,479 (increase of 189)
Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)

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Province of Ontario

Confirmed positive: 40,289 (increase of 95)
Resolved: 36,590 (increase of 134, 90.8% of all cases)
Hospitalized: 49 (decrease of 11)
Hospitalized and in ICU: 20 (decrease of 1)
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 10 (decrease of 2)
Deaths: 2,787 (increase of 1)
Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,800 (no change)
Total tests completed: 2,468,640 (increase of 24,572)
Tests under investigation: 22,054 (increase of 7,377)

New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from July 12 - August 11, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from July 12 – August 11, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from July 12 - August 11, 2020. The red line is the number of tests completed daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from July 12 – August 11, 2020. The red line is the number of tests completed daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)

 

For more information about COVID-19 in Ontario, visit covid-19.ontario.ca.

Kawarthas municipalities to receive over $28 million in first round of COVID-19 emergency funding

Ontario Premier Doug Ford at a Queen's Park media conference on August 12, 2020 announcing the allocation of $1.6 billion in emergency provincial-federal funding for Ontario's 444 municipalities. (CPAC screenshot)

Municipalities in the greater Kawarthas region are receiving more than $28 million in COVID-19 emergency funding from the Ontario and Canadian governments, including over $3.9 million to support public transit.

The funding amounts were announced on Wednesday (August 12) at Queen’s Park by Premier Doug Ford along with finance minister Rod Phillips, associate transportation minister Kinga Surma, and Jim McDonnell, parliamentary assistant to the municipal affairs and housing minister.

The funding is part of the provincial and federal joint commitment to provide up to $4 billion in urgently needed one-time assistance to Ontario’s 444 municipalities.

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“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have had the backs of our municipalities, which is why we are announcing up to $1.6 billion in critical funding today to help strengthen our communities and safely restart our economy,” Ford said. “This first round of funding will address the most urgent needs of our communities, ensuring critical services like transit and shelters are there when people need them most.”

In the greater Kawarthas region, the City of Peterborough will receive the most funding at just over $8 million, which includes almost $3.6 million for public transit.

The City of Kawartha Lakes — which includes all communities in the city — will receive over $4.9 million in funding, which includes almost $109,000 for public transit.

The counties of Northumberland, Peterborough, Hastings, and Haliburton will each respectively receive over $2.4 million, $2.2 million, $1.4 million, and $1.4 million.

Through its Safe Restart Agreement with the federal government, Ontario is providing $695 million through this first round of emergency funding to help Ontario’s 444 municipalities address operating pressures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and over $660 million to support public transit systems.

The transit funding can be used to provide immediate relief from transit pressures, such as lower ridership, as well as for new costs due to COVID-19, such as enhanced cleaning and masks for staff.

The province is also providing an additional $212 million through the Social Services Relief Fund to help vulnerable people find shelter.

The funding is allocated on a per household basis and is equally shared between upper and lower-tier municipalities. In the second round of funding, up to $695 million will be available to eligible municipalities after they have provided the province with information on their estimated COVID-19 related financial pressures.

Here’s the breakdown of the funding for municipalities in the greater Kawarthas region:

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Peterborough City and County

City of Peterborough – $8,002,182 (includes $3,578,682 for transit)
Peterborough County – $2,219,037 (includes $15,437 for transit)
Township of Selwyn – $527,700
Municipality of Trent Lakes – $420,200
Township of Havelock–Belmont–Methuen – $264,500
Township of North Kawartha – $238,700
Township of Douro–Dummer – $221,600
Township of Cavan Monaghan – $217,100
Township of Otonabee–South Monaghan – $194,800
Township of Asphodel-Norwood – $119,000

 

City of Kawartha Lakes

City of Kawartha Lakes (includes all communities) – $4,943,793 (includes $108,793 for transit)

 

Northumberland County

Northumberland County – $2,472,900
Town of Cobourg – $669,580 (includes $97,780 for transit)
Municipality of Port Hope – $506,207 (includes $54,807 for transit)
Municipality of Trent Hills – $458,036 (includes $17,436 for transit)
Municipality of Brighton – $326,600
Township of Hamilton – $300,200
Township of Alnwick/Haldimand – $207,600
Township of Cramahe – $191,522 (includes $16,922 for transit)

 

Haliburton County

Haliburton County – $1,435,300
Municipality of Dysart et al – $489,693 (incldues $14,293 for transit)
Township of Minden Hills – $402,200
Municipality of Highlands East – $281,700
Township of Algonquin Highlands – $275,900

 

Hastings County

Hastings County – $1,485,400
Municipality of Hastings Highlands – $236,600
Municipality of Tweed – $195,800
Municipality of Marmora and Lake – $182,787 (incldues $17,587 for transit)
Town of Bancroft – $147,523 (incldues $22,523 for transit)
Municipality of Centre Hastings – $143,400
Township of Stirling-Rawdon – $128,000
Township of Tyendinaga – $100,500
Township of Faraday – $85,100
Township of Wollaston – $66,400
Township of Madoc – $58,700
Township of Tudor and Cashel – $51,700
Town of Deseronto – $71,353 (incldues $21,753 for transit)
Township of Carlow/Mayo – $43,000
Township of Limerick – $36,300

What to expect on school buses this fall in Peterborough and the Kawarthas

With the first day of school during the COVID-19 pandemic fast approaching, many parents continue to have concerns about the safety of their children — not only while at school but while getting there.

School bus drivers also have concerns about their own safety. According to the Bus Carriers Federation, the average age of school bus drivers is 55 years old, putting them at increased risk of hospitalization if they contract COVID-19.

The concerns have been heightened as the Ontario government, in its guide to reopening Ontario’s schools, states that school boards “may be required to increase the utilization of buses beyond one student per seat and operate closer to capacity”. The government also states that, while face masks are mandatory on school buses for students in Grades 4 to 12, they are optional for students in Kindergarten to Grade 3.

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On Tuesday (August 11), the Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario (STSCO) — which serves the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, the Peterborough Northumberland Victoria and Clarington School Board, and the MonAvenir Catholic School Board — released a set of COVID-19 student transportation guidelines for parents.

The Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) — which provides transportation for students in the City of Kawartha Lakes, County of Haliburton, and District of Muskoka — is in the process of updating its return-to-school plan. The board has asked parents to re-register their children for in-school or at-home remote learning for September and to indicate whether their child, if eligible, will be taking bus transportation to and from school. Re-registration closes on Thursday (August 13).

Once TLDSB has received numbers it will be update its return-to-school plan, which will include information about transportation safety protocols. TLDSB says families will receive information about how to access the return-to-school plan before the start of the school year.

Highlights from the Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario (STSCO) COVID-19 school transportation guidelines for parents. (Graphic: STSCO / Twitter)
Highlights from the Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario (STSCO) COVID-19 school transportation guidelines for parents. (Graphic: STSCO / Twitter)

STSCO, which provides transportation for over 26,000 elementary and secondary school students at 120 schools using more than 750 vehicles, developed its pandemic guidelines according to Ontario government and public health recommendations.

The STSCO guidelines cover cleaning of vehicles, non-medical face coverings for students, physical distancing at bus stops, screening of students, loading of students, seating plans, allowed items on a school bus, emergency situations, and special needs transportation. The guidelines are summarized below:

 

Cleaning of Vehicles

All high-touch surfaces on school buses will be cleaned with a disinfectant prior to the start of each bus run, including seat cushions, the top of seats, handrail, seatbelts, and driver controls.

The type of disinfectant used will be in accordance with public health recommendations.

 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

STSCO recommends students wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds (or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer) before and after each trip on the bus.

Parents are asked to supply children in Grade 4 and above with a non-medical face covering.

A supply of masks will be available on each bus for students who do not have one, or for a parent who needs to to board the bus to help with a seatbelt.

 

Bus Stops

STSCO recommends students and their parents maintain a two-metre distance from others while waiting at a bus stop.

Students must follow the direction of the driver when boarding the bus.

Students who have symptoms associated with COVID-19 or think they have been exposed to COVID-19 will not be allowed to take transportation. Parents must screen their child for any symptoms prior to sending them to board the bus.

If a student at a bus stop is displaying symptoms such as coughing, fever, or other obvious signs of an illness, they will not be allowed to board the bus.

If the child’s parent or guardian is at the bus stop, the bus driver will advise them the child cannot board the bus. If there is no parent or guardian with the child, the driver will contact dispatch to advise the family that the child cannot be transported.

If a child exhibits symptoms of illness before boarding a bus after school, they will also not be allowed to board the bus.

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Loading of Students

The number of students allowed on a bus will be limited to one family per bench seat, with a maximum of three children from the same family on the same seat. Students from single-child families, or students from the same household who are not related, will be grouped together where possible.

Students must follow the bus driver’s instructions and sit in the seat assigned to them. Students will not be allowed to change seats at any time during the bus trip.

All students will load from the back of the bus to the front of the bus when being picked up, and vice versa when being dropped off. This will limit close contact between students on the bus.

STSCO encourages students to walk to their bus seat without touching other seats.

 

Seating Plans

Seat assignments for students will be mandatory and must be followed by the bus driver and enforced by the school principal.

The front two seats will remain empty and be used for emergency purposes only where possible.

Bus drivers will maintain a daily log of which students rode the bus for any trip for contact-tracing purposes.

 

Items on a Vehicle

Students will not be allowed to bring large items on the bus that would not ordinarily fit inside a knapsack.

There will be no waste containers on the bus.

As always, food or drink is not permitted on a school bus.

 

Emergency Situations

In an emergency situation where a student on the bus requires assistance, the bus driver will radio dispatch for clear direction.

If a student requires immediate attention, the bus driver will park the vehicle in a safe location and turn the vehicle off, be certain to keep their PPE on, and attend to the student, calling 911 if necessary.

In the case of major issues such as vomiting, bleeding, or showing symptoms of COVID-19, the bus driver will pull over and inform radio dispatch to send another bus. The parent or guardian of the student will be instructed to meet the bus to pick up the student in question.

If the bus driver must provide immediate assistance to the student, the driver will wear additional PPE such as eye protection, face shields, and gloves. The bus will then be returned to the bus yard for thorough cleaning prior to being put back into service.

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Special Needs Transportation

In situations where parents, guardians, or school staff need to board a bus to assist with the student’s seat belt, harness, or car seat, they must wear a mask and eye protection (shield) when boarding the vehicle.

Upon boarding the vehicle, prior to touching anything, they must sanitize their hands (hand sanitizer will be available on the bus).

The bus driver will remind them to not touch anything on the bus except the student’s seat belt, harness, or car seat.

 

This story has been updated with information provided by the Trillium Lakelands District School Board about its return-to-school plan, including student transportation safety protocols.

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