ESES Eagle Tribune
January 30, 2015
Elijah Smith
Elementary School
1399 Hamilton Blvd
Whitehorse, YT Y1A 6G3
Ph: 867-667-5992
Fx: 867-393-6288
Principal
Melanie Bennett
Melanie.Bennett@gov.yk.ca
Vice-Principal
Jill Mason
Jill.Mason@gov.yk.ca
CELC
Shirley Smith
Shirley.Smith@yesnet.yk.ca
Administrative Assistants
Angela Troke
Kathryn Secord
Dental Therapist
Jennifer Kay
Ph: 667-3412
School Council
Jeff Hunston
867-668-7131
Sue Stokes-Nash
633-5603
Jessie Dawson
334-3317
Ranj Pillai
332-2533
Linda Moen
667-2696
Sean Smith
sean.smith@kdfn.net
Jerry Zahora (S/T)
633-3757
Kindergarten Registration for 2015-2016!
Attention: Parents/guardians of Whitehorse-area children born in 2010.
Kindergarten pre-enrolment is Monday, February 9th at 9:00 a.m.
If you have any friends, family or neighbours who have Kindergarten aged
children, please pass on this important date.
All incoming Kindergarten students (whether you have siblings in the school
or not) must be registered through this process.
To read about Kindergarten Registration and
preview the enrollment form, go to:
http://www.education.gov.yk.ca/Kindergarten.html
If you are unable to access the internet, the Administrative Assistants at the
school can help you with the process on February 9th. Just call the school
(667-5992) or pop into the school office after 9:00 a.m. that morning.
We do not have an information night prior to the registration day. However,
if you are in the Elijah Smith Elementary School area, and are deciding
between our school and Whitehorse Elementary or Christ the King
Elementary, you can come to the ESES for a short tour. Please call the school
and book a time to come by with the administrative staff.
Silent Auction Wrap Up
Family Night: Feb. 5th
Thank you to all of the parents,
family, and friends who bid on the
student’s paintings. We are currently
going through the bids and starting
to make calls. All paintings are in the
school office. Stop by when you are
at the school.
A special thank you to Susan
McCallum, our visiting artist, who
worked with the ESES students and
staff.
At our next Family night we will be
skating and playing hockey at the
KDFN ice rink from 6:00 – 7:30
p.m. Snacks and refreshments
provided.
To participate, bring a parent with
you, your skates and a helmet.
If it is colder than -20 C, then the
skating will be cancelled and
Family Night activities will be in
the gym at ESES.
Last Call for Hot Lunch Forms  Monday by noon.
This is for the Spaghetti lunch on Feb. 13th.
Website: www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/elijahsmith
Calendar:
ESES Health and Safety Newsletter Supplement
January 2015
Mondays
Gr. 7 Basketball
Games 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Tues. Feb. 3
Ice Hockey
Tournament
Eagles Assembly
11:15 a.m.
School Council Mtg.
6:30 p.m. in Library
Contact information for Parents and Emergency Contacts
Feb. 5-6
If your child is sick or injured, can we reach you?
Do we have your latest contact information?
In September, you reviewed the Student Contact Information that we have at
the school. Is this the most current information? Moved or changed your
mailing address? Please pass in any changes to the school office. If you would
like to know what information we have call or stop into the office, we’ll be
happy to look that up for you.
Polar Games
for Grade 6
Health, Medical Information and Medications
Feb. 4
Family Night
Skating at KDFN
Fri. Feb. 13
Hot Lunch
Grade 7 Dance at ESES
Feb. 13-14
Gr. 7 B-Ball Trnmt.
Fri. Feb. 20
Heritage Day
no school
Feb 23-27
Are there any changes in the health or medical information
for your child since September?
From time to time students require medications – regular medications,
antibiotics, cold medications, headache medications. Yes, ESES staff can help
but a form must be filled out at the office and the medications provided from
home. It is a very short form and takes just a few minutes.
What if I just pop some medication
in my child’s backpack or lunch kit?
This is NOT safe. Even older students who have lockers do not always keep
them locked. If medications are not secured, there is the possibility they can
fall out of the backpacks or others can get into the backpacks. We have to
consider the safety of all ESES students.
Culture Week
Feb. 23-Mar. 13
Gymnastics in P.E.
Tues. Mar. 3
Eagles Assembly at
11:30 a.m.
School Council Mtg.
Library at 6:30 p.m
Every classroom in the school has a student or several students
with allergies. Some of these allergies are life threatening.
Fri. Mar. 13
Report Cards Home
Website: www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/elijahsmith
What is Anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis (pronounced anna-fill-axis) is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause
death. An allergen is a substance capable of causing an allergic reaction. Upon first exposure, the immune
system treats the allergen as something to be rejected and not tolerated. This process is called sensitization.
Re-exposure to the same allergen in the now sensitized individual may result in an allergic reaction that, in its
most severe form, is called anaphylaxis. (Source: www.allergysafecommunities.ca)
What are the signs of an anaphylactic reaction?
An anaphylactic reaction can involve any of the following symptoms, which may appear alone or in any
combination, regardless of the triggering allergen:
 Skin system: hives, swelling, itching, warmth, redness, rash
 Respiratory system (breathing): coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain/tightness, throat
tightness, hoarse voice, nasal congestion or hay fever-like symptoms (runny itchy nose and watery
eyes, sneezing), trouble swallowing
 Gastrointestinal system (stomach): nausea, pain/cramps, vomiting, diarrhea
 Cardiovascular system (heart): pale/blue colour, weak pulse, passing out, dizzy/lightheaded, shock
 Other: anxiety, feeling of "impending doom", headache, uterine cramps, metallic taste
Because of the unpredictability of reactions, early symptoms should never be ignored, especially if the person
has suffered an anaphylactic reaction in the past. It is important to note that anaphylaxis can occur without
hives. (Source: www.allergysafecommunities.ca)
What causes an anaphylactic reaction?
Food is one of the most common causes of
anaphylaxis, but insect stings, medicine, latex,
and exercise can also cause a reaction.
What Can We DO?
Anaphylaxis Canada has developed the following resources to help you and your family – as well as school
staff - with going-to-school preparations.
When you enrol your child, it is helpful to meet with the daycare supervisor, principal or your child's teacher
to talk about their anaphylaxis policy and your child's allergy. Here are some points to consider:
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Do they know the signs and symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction? Review your child's
Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan, which includes your child's name, photograph, and specific allergy (e.g.,
peanut, bee sting). It should be shared with all teachers/caregivers and posted for quick reference.
Is the staff trained how to use an auto-injector such as EpiPen®, or Allerject™? Can they give it in an
emergency?
What is their policy about carrying epinephrine? Where is it stored? (It should be easy to get, not
locked up). Your child should always carry an auto-injector labelled with their name if they are old
enough to carry one.
What is their policy around food? Will they be feeding your child? Do they control what foods are
brought into the building?
Parents, to help prepare for a meeting with your daycare or school, write down your questions and list your
concerns in order of importance. The daycare centre or school may not be able to act on all of your
suggestions, so focus on the most important safety measures. Meet with your child's teachers and lunch room
supervisors to discuss risk reduction strategies,
such as:
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Not sharing food, utensils or containers.
Cleaning all eating surfaces well.
Placing food or snacks on a napkin rather
than in direct contact with a desk or
table.
Getting children to wash their hands
before and after eating.
Providing safe treats for your child to be
stored by the teacher for special
occasions.
Washing toys and balls often.
Avoiding hidden allergens in different
craft materials.
Here are some drawings and a note from children who live with severe allergies. These are taken from the
Anaphylaxis Canada website (www.anaphylaxis.ca).Check it out  there are resources for parents, children,
teachers, daycare staff and more.
Living With a Food Allergy Isn't All Bad by Aisling Age 11
I have had many experiences with my food allergies, both good and
bad, but I'm sure you would rather hear about some of the good ones.
One night my family was having dinner at a nice restaurant. Before we
left, I went into the washroom with my mom, and saw a lady who was
having a lot of trouble breathing. It turned out that she was having an
anaphylactic reaction to some food she had just eaten. She didn't know
that she had anaphylaxis so she didn't have an EpiPen®. In the end she
used mine and immediately began to recover. Then we called for an
ambulance and she went to the hospital. I've often thought about how
amazing it was that
we happened to
walk
into
that
washroom just as she needed help.
Another time, when I was staying at a hotel, I wasn't able to
eat many of the breakfasts. So, every day, the cook would
make me something special or I would go into the kitchen
and help make my own breakfast. I think it's great that
some people are so thoughtful and adaptable.
My advice to others: Don't let your allergies hold you back.
Always check labels and be careful. If you're having trouble,
don't go off on your own; get help.