News Releases

Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute and John Buchan Senior Public School
closed as a precautionary measure

Toronto, ON, Wednesday, April 9, 2003—The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is acting on the recommendation of Toronto Public Health (TPH) and closing Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute as a precautionary health measure related to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). As an added precaution, the Board is closing John Buchan Senior Public School, which shares facilities with Stephen Leacock C.I.

The closure was recommended after a student at Stephen Leacock C.I. became ill with SARS-like symptoms last week. The student is undergoing medical examination to determine the cause of her illness.

The schools will be closed until Tuesday, April 15, unless the student's illness proves not to be SARS-related. Stephen Leacock C.I. has 1,001 students, 60 teachers and an additional 10 staff. John Buchan Sr. P.S. has 395 students, 24 teachers, and approximately 8 additional staff.

"We acted immediately on Toronto Public Health's recommendation to close Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute as a precautionary measure to protect the health and well-being of our students, staff and their families," said David Reid, Director of Education for the TDSB. "The Board took the added measure of closing John Buchan Senior Public School although Toronto Public Health did not consider the move necessary."

A letter notifying parents of the closure was sent home with John Buchan students today. Most of Stephen Leacock C.I.'s students had left for the day when TPH recommended that the school be closed. Signs have been posted at both schools announcing the closure. Further information has been posted to the TDSB web site.

Toronto Public Health has stated that the overall risk of contracting SARS remains low. SARS is contracted through close contact, which involves having cared for, lived with or had face-to-face contact, or having had direct contact with respiratory secretions and/or body fluids of a person with SARS.

Those at risk include people who have recently travelled to China's Guandong Province, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore, or those who have had close contact with persons diagnosed with SARS. These people should seek medical attention if they develop a fever (over 38ºC/100.4ºF) and have one or more of the following respiratory symptoms: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

If you have any questions about SARS or are exhibiting any symptoms, please contact Toronto Public Health's hotline at 416-338-7600. Information is available at www.toronto.ca/health.

Stephen Leacock C.I. and John Buchan Sr. P.S. are located in the Sheppard and Birchmount area (click here for map).

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