Thank You

We would like to take this opportunity to pass along our appreciation to a number of people that provided the supports, guidance and cooperation during yesterday’s situation. To our students, we are very proud of your maturity and cooperation during the evacuation. We commend our wonderful staff for ensuring the safety of our students and taking charge of the situation in a professional manner. To the Kensington Police who were on site during the entire situation giving advice and confirming the safety of our building, a big thanks to you. Finally to our parent community who have shown tremendous support to our school through emails and phone calls over the past 24 hours. Your support really does make a difference.

In closing, we want to assure all parents that, while we take yesterday’s circumstances very seriously, we are now refocused on the education and well-being of our students at QEES.

QEES Admin Team

September Notes

29th–Terry Fox Walk, starting at 1:30 p.m.

30th–Payment due for October’s food orders. 

Please, drop off students only in the designated area–along Saunders Lane by the walkway towards the primary doors.  The parking lot is only for buses and staff parking. Early morning, outdoor supervision does not begin until 8:10 a.m. 

Bus drivers are reminding students and parents that drinks and food are not permitted to be consumed on buses. 

Please sign in at the front desk for every visit to the school. 

QEES remains a nut-free school due to food allergies.

Bus 545, Mr. Ashley’s bus, will not accept guest bus-passes until further notice. Bus 547 is full. 

 

Asbestos Removal Update

Dear students, parents, and staff,

As you may know, asbestos-containing ceiling tiles were discovered in some Island schools earlier this year, including this one.

Plans were made to remove asbestos-containing ceiling tiles in eight schools this summer, however, as work began on three schools, it took a much longer time than anticipated to complete the required and approved asbestos abatement protocol, including the air quality testing afterwards and the thorough clean-up.

As a result, there is not enough time this summer to complete the safe remediation of all eight schools.

Two schools – Queen Elizabeth and East Wiltshire – will be done as soon as possible next summer.

Environmental experts and Health Canada guidelines advise that asbestos-containing materials do not pose a risk as long as they are properly managed and maintained in good condition.

When the asbestos-containing ceiling tiles were discovered last school year, an asbestos management plan was implemented. We are asking staff to continue to follow this plan and we remind students, parents and staff thatceiling tiles should only be moved or altered by authorized personnel.

Please contact the school administration if you have questions.

Sincerely,

Rodney MacArthur

Principal

Asbestos Removal Delayed

Asbestos containment acoustic ceiling tile replacement – Delay at Queen Elizabeth and East Wiltshire

August 4, 2016

INTERNAL key messages and Q+A 

Government had planned to complete the replacement of asbestos-containing ceiling tiles at eight Island schools over the summer.

As we started on the first three schools, we realized that the required and approved asbestos abatement protocol was more involved than we anticipated, so there is only enough time to complete asbestos remediation in six schools this summer.

We need to ensure the safety of those working on the remediation, and to ensure the schools where work was done are properly tested and cleaned before staff and students return to school in the fall.

We have been working closely with the contractor and WCB to do the work thoroughly and safely for all involved.

Two schools – Queen Elizabeth and East Wiltshire – will be done as soon as possible next summer.

Given that asbestos-containing materials do not pose a health risk as long as they are properly managed and maintained in good condition, and it is imperative that that remediation work be done safely and thoroughly, we felt it would be better to wait until next summer to do the remaining two schools.

Why couldn’t the work be done in time?

The successful bidder for the tender is working flat out on the first three schools now(Glen Stewart, Elliot River, and Central Queens)

Ecole Evangeline has been awarded and the contractor is working on this school. Later this summer, two small spaces in two other schools will be completed. These two schools will be completed prior to school starting.

Given the nature of a school, with many spaces like classrooms, labs, offices, etc. completing the work, while undertaking the proper safety measures to protect the workers, has taken longer than expected.

There’s only nine weeks in the summer to do this work, with 2-3 weeks of cleaning required after the remediation before the school opens.

It is a very tight schedule, as teachers often return to the schools the last week of August and we have to ensure this work is done thoroughly, and it’s safe for their return.

With this schedule and the rigorous safety protocols, there was no way to do the remaining two schools in time to allow for cleaning before the beginning of the school year.

Is there any risk to students and staff at the remaining schools?

Health Canada guidelines say there is no significant health risk if materials containing asbestos are properly managed and maintained in good condition.

Many schools in Canada have asbestos issues with no removal plans but most have an asbestos management plan.

An asbestos management plan will be put in place for Queen Elizabeth and East Wiltshire, similar to the plan currently in place at Three Oaks Senior High, until such time as it can be removed safety from these schools.

Staff will be informed that acoustic ceiling tiles in the school should not be disturbed and that for any maintenance requirements with ceiling tiles,they should contact the Public Schools Branch who will follow proper protocols for handling the issue.

Asbestos-containing materials do not pose a health risk as long as they are properly managed and maintained in good condition, so while it is unfortunate the work cannot be completed this summer, there is no risk to staff or students by delaying this work until next summer.