TORONTO, ON, May 18, 2021 – Food Allergy Canada announces today that Anglophone South School District has been named the recipient of The Allan Reynolds Award for 2021 for demonstrating exemplary passion and commitment to creating a safer, more allergy aware community.
The Allan Reynolds Award recognizes special individuals and organizations for their extraordinary contribution and leadership in helping individuals and families affected by anaphylaxis. Allan Reynolds, a long-time and inspiring Food Allergy Canada volunteer passed away suddenly in January 2013. During his time with Food Allergy Canada, he helped to improve public understanding about food allergy and get ground-breaking legislation – known as Sabrina’s Law – passed to protect students at risk of anaphylaxis. The award criteria include the same attributes demonstrated by Allan, showing passion and commitment for raising allergy awareness, and proven ability to rally support for the cause through their own community.
Over the last 7 years, Anglophone South School District has been a school and community role model for allergy awareness. Its efforts to increase allergy awareness in their schools, with their staff and students, and in their community have gone above and beyond in both programs and results.
After the loss of one of their students, Caroline Lorette, due to anaphylaxis in July 2014, Anglophone South School District joined quickly and without hesitation to honour Caroline, her legacy, and the mission of the Lorette Family to make a difference in the community. The Sweet Caroline Foundation was started in remembrance of Caroline Lorette with the goal of educating schools and organizations on anaphylaxis and the psychosocial impacts of food allergy.
Since 2014, it is estimated that over 50,000 students have participated in presentations by The Sweet Caroline Foundation through over 500 community volunteers (many of whom are Anglophone South staff) to help promote allergy awareness and safer school communities. Students are educated on how to use an epinephrine auto-injector, what to do in case of anaphylaxis, and how to support their peers with managing food allergy, making a more inclusive environment.
“Anglophone South School District is a clear leader in allergy awareness and education in schools,” said Jennifer Gerdts, Executive Director of Food Allergy Canada. “This award is a testament to their hard work, commitment and dedication to preserving the legacy of Caroline Lorette. It will be the inspiration for other school communities to follow.”
Zoë Watson, Superintendent of Anglophone South School District is thrilled the District has received the award. “In partnership with The Sweet Caroline Foundation, Anglophone South School District declared its intention to be the Canadian role model for school and community allergy awareness. Today, students of Anglophone South take pride in calling themselves one of the “most allergy-friendly and aware” school districts in Canada. It is an honour for our community to be recognized for the countless hours the District spent dedicated to making food allergy a priority topic in our schools. Caroline will continue to inspire us and we are committed to ensuring her legacy lives on through educating students on food allergy and anaphylaxis.”
“We were impressed by all the nominees for this award in my husband’s honour” said Joan Reynolds, “It is Anglophone South School District’s breadth of impact and the example it sets for school boards across the country that makes it very worthy of recognition.”
Anglophone South School District will celebrate the award at a brief ceremony at Rothesay High School on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 1:45pm AT. The celebration will coincide with a district wide “Purple Day”, where students and staff will wear purple in memory of Caroline Lorette, and to promote allergy awareness for Food Allergy Awareness Month.
More information about the Food Allergy Community Awards can be found at: foodallergycanada.ca/awards
About Anglophone South School District
Anglophone South School District (ASD-S) is a Canadian school district in southern New Brunswick, serving communities from St. Stephen to Sussex. Anglophone South is an Anglophone District that operates 69 public schools (grades K-12) in Saint John, Charlotte, Kings, and part of Queens Counties.
Current enrollment is approximately 23,000 students with 1,700 teaching staff. Anglophone South is headquartered in Saint John. The district is sub-divided into 3 regions, called “education centres”, Hampton, Saint John, and St. Stephen. ASD-S is committed to celebrating diversity, inclusiveness, and excellence in education!
About Food Allergy Canada
Food Allergy Canada is a national charity and the country’s leading patient organization committed to educating, supporting, and advocating for the more than 3 million Canadians impacted by food allergy. The organization focuses on improving daily quality of life by providing education and support needed to effectively navigate this medical condition, building informed and supportive communities, and acting as the national voice on key patient issues. Visit foodallergycanada.ca to learn more.
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For more information please contact:
- Angela Harris, Consultant for Food Allergy Canada
- 506-378-2629
- angela@workofheart.me
- Jessica Hanlon – Anglophone South School District – Director of Communications
- 506-658-5373
- jessica.hanlon@nbed.nb.ca