subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Tue, Feb 09 2010 

Published: October 20, 2009 07:55 pm    print this story  

Flu not affecting local school attendance

By CHRIS HARRIS and TRICIA NEAL, Staff Writers
Commonwealth Journal

Somerset If you’re a student hoping school will be called off for the flu so you don’t have to take that big test ... you’re out of luck.

Superintendents for all three local public school systems say that as of right now, no nasty bugs are threatening to cancel classes, and that schools are maintaining relatively high attendance rates, despite rumors apparently circulating like germs, saying that school will be called off.

Pulaski County Schools Assistant Superintendent Sonya Wilds said that the county’s largest district is running about 90 percent attendance. That’s a pretty good average for every high school, middle school, and elementary school in the district. Only Oak Hill is significantly lower, its rate hovering in the mid-80s.

“We’re staying aware of illnesses and viruses going forward and watching the situation, but (attendance) is not lower than normal,” said Wilds.

It would take schools falling into the 80-85 percent attendance range to call off school most of the time. Wilds says these cases have to be monitored “day by day” during flu season, particularly with the H1N1 virus, or “swine flu,” making the rounds.

Somerset Independent Schools are faring only slightly worse — still not enough to warrant closure. Somerset Superintendent Dr. Teresa Wallace said attendance in her district is still in the upper-80 percent range.

“If it drops to 80 percent, we’ll start considering it,” she said.

Science Hill Independent School Superintendent Rick Walker said his one-school district has “been real lucky,” and the numbers prove him right. The school is currently seeing 95.8 percent attendance in grades K-8. That’s compared to the average 97 percent — or a dozen students absent — on a normal day.

Walker said his school is working hard to do everything that’s recommended to keep kids germ-free, coaching them on coughing or sneezing into their sleeves rather than their hands or another surface, using hand sanitizers, and staying home if sick. Hand sanitizers are made available and desks are regularly cleaned with disinfectant, he said.

Walker also said he’d do use the one-call system to let Science Hill parents know attendance is good and thank them for helping keep their young ones virus-free.

“Right now, this is a happy, healthy environment,” said Walker. “We’re trying to do all the right things. It’s easier when you’re at a small place (like this school) to be on top of everything.”

print this story  


Free Coupons



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

RN'S
RN’s Seeking Greater Rewards? Christian Care Center of Lancaster is recruiting for: RN Unit Manager Full Time- Mon.- Fri...>MORE

Case Manager & Medical Coordinator
Inspired Living, LLC
Now Hiring
Positions Available
*CASE MANAGER
*MEDICAL
COORDINATOR
Mi
...>MORE

Service Repairman
Service Repairman
Railroad contractor has immediate opening for permanent full-time
position. General
c
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Homes

NEW AND USED HOMES!!!
NEW AND USED HOMES!!! ZERO DOWN PAYMENTS WITH LAND OR AS LITTLE AS $1500 CASH DOWN. WE OWN THE BANK! CALL 606-678-8134 O...>MORE

Hurry!!! Time is Running Out!
HURRY!!! TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR YOU TO GET UP TO $8000 TAX CREDIT FROM THE GOVERNMENT. CLAYTON HOMES OF SOMERSET WILL M...>MORE

TAX TIME SPECIALS!!!
TAX TIME SPECIALS!!! SAVE THOUSANDS ON SELECT MODELS. 3 BEDROOM 2 BATH STARTING LESS THAN $300 PER MONTH! ZERO DOWN WITH...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Extras

Wiggington Builders
Wiggington Builders Inc. Brand New Finished to suit. 1225 sq ft up to 9800 sq ft. Office or Retail Space. Behind Montice...>MORE

Epperson Air
Epperson Air
Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing Electric Wish to partner with similar operating business and Assets.
...>MORE

Corn & Wood Pellet Stoves
Corn & Wood Pellet Stoves New & Used. 859-221-4118 Financing Available...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index