Naloxone will soon be added to the first aid kits in Sunshine Coast School District No. 46 (SD46) schools and worksites.
In an update to administrative regulations on health and safety at the April 14 school board meeting, director of instruction Paul Bishop told the board about the new addition, which has been in the process for a few years, he said, and will be part of kits moving forward.
The medication is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
Training on how to use naloxone will be provided to the principal or site manager.
Superintendent Patrick Bocking told Coast Reporter the decision came after discussions with Vancouver Coastal Health, although he said the need for naloxone in schools “is somewhat debatable” as schools are not considered a high-risk location.
“It’s almost for sure not necessary, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to have them just in case that very, very rare circumstance could potentially happen,” he said.
“There’s not a real downside to having them as well. It doesn’t impact us negatively to have them in the office area and the first aid area for our staff to have and be aware of.”
Custodian recruitment set to begin
As SD46 has had to increase cleaning due to the pandemic, the school district is preparing to recruit more custodians.
At the April 14 meeting, a member of the public asked what is being done to recruit and retain custodians considering the rising cases of the COVID-19 variants. Director of instruction Paul Bishop said that is being addressed and training will be provided.
Superintendent Patrick Bocking told Coast Reporter that the school district is well staffed with custodians, but is continuing to recruit custodians to allow flexibility with scheduling when necessary. He said the school district has additional funding continuing into next year for daytime custodians.
Prior to the pandemic, custodians in SD46 usually worked later in the day to clean up after the school day ended and welcome people into the school facilities for different events. Cleaning requirements for COVID-19 have adjusted the custodians’ schedules to work primarily during the day.
New principal placements announced
Starting in the 2021-2022 school year in the fall, some familiar faces will be leading the Sunshine Coast schools.
Four principals will get a change of scenery as they change locations. The principal at Roberts Creek Elementary, Christa Rive, will become principal at Gibsons Elementary as she takes over for retiring Deborah Luporini. Lynda Brisebois, currently the principal at Halfmoon Bay Elementary, will fill the role at Roberts Creek Elementary.
Madeira Park Elementary’s Glen Smith will become principal at Halfmoon Bay Elementary, while Sandy Magnussen – currently the inclusion technology coordinator and acting principal for Madeira Park – will take on the principal position full-time in the fall.
