RL Clemitson Elementary

Skip Main Menu

Welcome to RL Clemitson Elementary
Address: 5990 Todd Rd, Kamloops, V2C 5B7
Phone: 573-3227
Fax: 573-2419
Google Map
Google Satellite

Principal: Darlene Gordon
Secretary: Bev Sharpe

We're Scent Considerate in School District 73

Why the health concern about scents?

While fragrances may be pleasing to some people, they can be unpleasant and harmful to others.

Scents can cause serious health problems. People with allergies, multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) and asthma can become quite ill when exposed to scents.

Reactions can vary from mild to severe and can interfere with daily activities and being able to stay at school or work.

Reactions to scented products include:

headaches
difficulty concentrating
dizziness
nausea
watery or dry eyes
sneezing & nasal congestion
rashes & hives
muscle & joint pain
swollen lymph glands
difficulty breathing
life threatening asthma attack
life threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

Natural scents (from flowers, animals) can cause health problems but most scents today come from chemicals. These chemical evaporate into the air and attach themselves to our hair, clothing and surroundings. They can trigger a reaction long after the user is gone.

Chemical fragrances are present in many things we use every day, including:

laundry products - detergents, fabric softeners, anti-cling products, bleach.
personal care products - soaps, body washes, deodorants, lotions and creams, makeup, perfumes, colognes and aftershaves, shaving cream, hair products (shampoo, conditioner, gel, hair spray), sunscreens.
school supplies - whiteboard markers, glue sticks, felts, crayons.
art and craft supplies - markers, paper, paint, candles
cleaning products and air fresheners.
flavoured food (gum and candy).

Often, users of scented products are unaware of how strong their scent is because they are unaffected by the chemicals. They may also be unaware that the chemicals in their scent can cause an allergic reaction for some people.

How can you and your family be scent considerate?

Be respectful of people with allergies. Ask yourself - do you or your children want to make someone sick?
Use scent-free products. Read ingredient labels when shopping. If fragrance, perfume or flavour is listed, the product is not fragrance free, even if labelled as unscented or scent free.
Avoid using perfume, cologne or other scented products when going into a scent considerate school or building.
Keep your workplace an home well ventilated.
Keep the air clean and safe for everyone.

What has School District 73 done about scent allergies?

Our School District strives to provide a healthy learning and working environment. Scent allergies are no different from other allergies, like peanuts or seafood.

Everyone who enters a scent considerate school or building is asked not to use or wear scented products.
Signage is posted outside and inside these buidlings.
Reminders are in school newsletters and on websites.
All school events are scent considerate.
SD73 uses many low odour, allergy aware maintenance products.

Scent considerate programs are in place in many businesses, government agencies and places of worship.

For additional information on scent allergies, go to:

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
http://www.coohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/scent_free.html

Canadian Lung Association
http://www.lung.ca/protect-protegez/pollution-pollution/indoor-interieur/scents-parfums_e.php

Thompson Rivers University
http://www.tru.ca/wellness/sharetheair/index.html

For additional public health information, contact Interior Health's Public Health Nursing.
Kamloops 250-851-7300
Barriere 250-672-5515
Chase 250-679-1418
Clearwater 250-674-3141
Logan Lake 250-523-9724

Peanut & Nut Allergies
We have students in our school who have a severe allergy to peanuts and nuts. For these children, eating, touching or smelling nuts and products containing peanuts, or peanut oil could trigger an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This reaction could be life threatening. For this reason, we ask that you do not send any peanuts, nuts, nut or peanut products, or peanut oil to school.

Many children and adults enjoy eating nuts, peanuts, baking with nuts and peanuts, and peanut butter sandwiches. We are requesting that students and adults do not bring nuts or peanut containing foods to school for snacks or lunches. This will require reading product labels carefully.

Please help your child to understand the importance of not sharing food, utensils and food containers with other students. Also, please remind your child about the importance of having clean hands. Young children may need lots of reminders and assistance to wash their hands thoroughly before and after they eat.

Kindly remember to send peanut-free and nut-free treats for birthdays and other classroom celebrations!

Thank you very much for your understanding and support in this matter. We look forward to working together with our school community to make RLC a "peanut and nut sensitive" school and a safe environment for ALL of our children. If you have any questions or concerns regarding providing an allergy-safe and allergy-aware environment for our students with life-threatening allergies, please contact us.

Skip Calendar

◄ Previous monthJanuary 2012Next month ►

Skip Courses

Clare

Main Menu

Site news

Calendar

Courses