Friday, October 23, 2009
The Albany R-III School District's custodial staff is working diligently to sterilize the schools in Albany, Mo., after the district canceled classes Thursday and today due to the spread of general flu-related illness throughout the system.
"It wasn't an easy decision," said Superintendant Bryan Prewitt. "Timing was a huge issue."
Mr. Prewitt met with other faculty members before making the decision, and said options were deliberated - that closing for only one day, or a day in the middle of the week, would be pointless.
"If we're going to do it, let's do it right," he said. "We needed adequate time to let people heal up. People were getting secondary illnesses now, and anything that comes along just zaps them. Just give them time."
More than 20 percent of the district's 433 students were out with the flu. Mr. Prewitt said seven faculty members out of 50 were out sick on Wednesday.
Local businesses just hope that the time off will pay off in the end. The district's decision left many parents at home instead of at work.
As soon as Scott Alexander caught wind of the cancellation, he called Mr. Prewitt himself.
"We just wanted to inquire about it and get some information," said the human resources manager at Johnson Controls' Albany plant.
As of Thursday, Mr. Alexander said only one employee missed work because of the closing.
"I don't think (the flu) has really hit us yet," he said. "We think we're just holding our breath, literally."
Mr. Alexander said the company is looking forward to the vaccination becoming available to them and has already held educational meetings with its 165 employees in Albany.
"We are feeling the lack of presence," said Diane Higdon, owner of GHS Paper Tube & Core Manufacturing in Albany. The company has 14 workers. GHS had one employee out sick and another at home with her children.
"There's nothing you can do about it. Either mom or dad has to stay home unless you've got grandparents that don't work, and that doesn't happen too much anymore, either," said Ms. Higdon. "So it is affecting us."
Mr. Prewitt said he heard few complaints in regard to the district's decision to close the schools.
"I'm glad there isn't a policy that says at a certain percentage you have to close schools," he said. "That just backs you into a corner. I was hired to make good decisions."
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that schools not close, said Eileen Duty of the St. Joseph School District. "There are black-and-white guidelines, and (the state) allows districts to make their own decisions," she said.
In an epidemic scenario, Ms. Duty said the school district would take a school-by-school approach. "It would be silly to close a school with only three percent (with illness), compared to a school with bigger numbers," she said.
Three percent to 5 percent of absences are considered acceptable, she said, and during regular flu season it increases to 10 percent to 15 percent.
"We look at these numbers every day," Ms. Duty said. "My magic number that is a red flag is once it gets past 15 percent, I start watching them very closely."
And Albany isn't the only Missouri school closing its doors to combat the flu. The Springfield School District closed Deleware Elementary School because about 37 percent of its students were out with the illness, many of whom were special-needs children. The Neelyville School District closed earlier this month for three days, and the Jefferson County R-VII School District closed for more than a week.
The St. Joseph School District began offering vaccinations for seasonal flu on Oct. 9. Ms. Duty said she was informed Thursday that Heartland Occupational Health, the district's supplier of the vaccines, had already run out. Ms. Duty said she will be notified when more is available for the faculty. She also said the district's nurses will be allowed to receive the H1N1 nasal vaccination at the end of the month.
Jennifer Hall can be reached
at jennhall@npgco.com.
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mm1967 says...
Mrs Duty,
Where in the heck was your red flag last week when Parkway was over 20%.While you are watching the numbers last week they continued to grow while you were watching.On one hand you say you start to watch them closely at 15% and one the other hand and some schools have been at 20% while you were watching and nothing was done on your part.What is the magic number till you take things seriously 25%,30%,35,40,45,0r heck maybe 50% before you all act?Some of us out in the public want answers and when you are called you have no answers so when will we get this info.Also Mrs Duty since you run the health side what are you doing for children with underlying health issues this could be fatal to letting the schools run at a high percentage of the school having the flu? What's it going to take a child getting this in one of your high percentage schools and something devasating happening to that child before you all become proactive instead of reactive?Some people will jump on me for this post but some of us parents with these children with underlying health issues that this could be fatal to want some answers please.And for those that are going to degrade me for my concerns if you had one of these children and watch them struggle to breath when they get this flu maybe you would get our concerns and it is not hate toward the district it is concern for our children and the right to know what the percentage is in our schools not as a whole district together numbers for we can make decisions on what we are going to do.Also take this into consideration the vacine is not avalible as of yet for children with healt hissues they cannot take the vacine that is out now and the one they can take will take 2 week to give them any protection FACT.
October 23, 2009 at 1:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rocketmom says...
OMG mm--Get over it already! You are wrong about this.
October 23, 2009 at 6:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
drbjr says...
Thank god that the all knowing all seeing mm1967 is here to show us unwashed heathen the truth.
October 23, 2009 at 7:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
I get over and shut up about it when they give the public this info and learn how to be open and honest.And correct apple how can you debeate this they are just wrong in not infoming people of the numbers in the school for parents with children wit hunderlying health issues which this flu could and I stress could kill one of these children so its kinda hard to debate this.And rocket mom you are lost on this issue and have no damn clue what we parent wit hthese children go through so we nned to be informed as to the amount of this flu in our schools sincethe vacine is still not avavlible for our children you all might want to get a life since you have so much time to critize me for showing concern for our children.
October 23, 2009 at 7:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nwmo says...
mm1967
Call you child's nurse. Ask her professional opinion about how to handle your child's fragile condition and then you make a decision for what is best for your child. Leave mine out of it. I respect your ability to make your decisions, I trust the district to make decisions that are in the best interest of all kids. End of story.
October 23, 2009 at 8:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
i can completely understand that parents of children with special vulnerabilities are frustrated. it would be very helpful if the district could post updates on their antiquated website...... do they do that?
you guys could be just a little more kind, mm has had his young son in the hospital and this is a very scary time. i know how he feels because i worry every time my beloved diabetic husband goes out the door in flu season..... h1n1 or not. this is not just about the flu, it is a constant worry.
i think the district could be a little more open.
October 23, 2009 at 8:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
nwmo,
I have done what you mentioned above believe me.What you fail to understand is that the district should be reporting how bad it is in each school for we can put the info we have from the sources like our health care provider to use and know what decisions to make but you have to have info from the district as well on how bad it is in your school.Wake up.And I am glad to see you think the district is making good decisions maybe in your school.
October 23, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nwmo says...
Apple
I agree, but it is all about priorities! Righting the wrongs and fighting the "evil empire"....perhaps the thread will suddenly turn to Heartland!
October 23, 2009 at 8:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannytuff says...
mm1967 - GIVE IT A BREAK ALREADY! We ALL know you have a child with asthma. So do millions of other people, me included. My son and I both have it, and I do everything I can to minimize dangers for us, such as keeping my house clean, taking vitamins, stay away from smokers, etc. Wearing a mask during flu/cold season also work great for avoiding many germs.
'I' control our environment to make sure 'I' minimize the danger with our asthma, and 'I' don't hold anybody else responsible when we get sick. It is a fact of life; it is going to happen at times. That is what doctors and medicine are for.
I agree that the flu is not good for any of us, but your incessant complaining of how others are harming your child is like beating a dead horse. You go on and on and on and on. Maybe you should post as the energizer bunny.
Millions of children and adults have medical problems, and wearing a mask work wonders in keeping germs to a minimum. I am not trying to be mean, but come on........
October 23, 2009 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Apple child is at home now and when they were there I was there and not posting.
October 23, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
grannytuff,
We take all of the percautions as well but when the % go up and this is not a normal flu season in the school they need to notify us so we can take further percautions.I am glad to see all of the district supporter coming out of the woodwork a few days before the levy election.Where were you all a few months ago?
October 23, 2009 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Heritage these people here not understanding do not know what it like to deal with this and this year have it so much worse then previous ears have no concept what and why we want the district to be more open about the % of each school for decisions can be made for our children.But thanks for your understanding on this issue but certain one I expect this out of a few here they make it their personal issue to stand up for the district and their views as if the sjsd has done no wrong.
By the way seen the new comercial the OCOF group has started to run today for the flawed levy that will not address the needs of our schools? You gotta see it talk about riuning our schools more.
October 23, 2009 at 9:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ForestG says...
Agree or Disagree "Contest".
Match the bloggist to the political pundit:
Bloggists: Apple and MM1967
Pundits: Mary Matalin and James Carville
Commonality 1: Many times, due to the style and veracity of the bloggist/pundit, they end up hurting the cause of their "constituents".
Commonality 2: They have a very strange attachment to each other. Sort of like, spouses that argue over everything but are still madly in love with each other.
Commonality 3: Obsessed with proving the other wrong.
....but wait, the pundits are married.
Seriously, MM, please write down your comments in Microsoft Word with the spelling and grammar check in place. After you get the ok (no red stuff or underlines, etc.), copy and paste it to the "blog". Keep it short and don't repeat the same stuff constantly within the same story. For those of us that travel and like to catch up, this sometimes becomes an exercise in futilty.
I feel that MM is "hurting" his constituents and/or point of view/perspective.
Likewise, Apple also has good points but her obsession with MM is hurting her constituents and view/perspective.
Trust me, it's ok to "hit it once and break away clean"....really!
What would each of you do if this medium were not available? Just hash and re-hash your complaints to your spouses? Oops, their goes that commonality again!
October 23, 2009 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suzyQ says...
Listen, I do not know mm1967 or any of the past posts regarding the SJSD. I really did not get into those discussions and I know it was a hot topic. I supported the SJSD on the past vote, and plan to this time as well. However, in this instance, I do agree that more communication is important. Past posts may make it easy to target/criticize mm1967, but that doesn't negate or null and void every point they make. Not to mention, you have to realize it is very scary when your child becomes terribly ill. I am guessing but sure alot anxiety over this stems from that. It shouldn't be poked fun at.
I do want to say as I said yesterday, that it is important for the parents to be informed on high percent of absenteeism. Even more so for those who have immunocompromised children and family. Just like when they send a note home when there is a head or two of lice found, they could send a note home or robocall the parents of a particular school. I do trust the district, but in that, they do not know every child's particular circumstances. So while they make a decision for the students as a whole in general, it still can be very detrimental to some or even extended family members that are in contact with them. This would be in the child's best interest to keep parents informed. I think all MM is asking or I am, is just to keep us informed when necessary and I feel that if it hits that 10-15% mark, that a notice should be sent out so the parents, physician, and school can develop a plan to best suit the needs of a particualr child. It really isn't unreasonable to expect.
October 23, 2009 at 10:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
SuzyQ
You are correct that is all I am asking for is to keep us informed when the number are high and notices should be sent home when it hits 10 % or higher in each school.
October 23, 2009 at 10:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suzyQ says...
Forest G- I gotta say, I did chuckle at your analagy. Thank you for your free consultation. :P
October 23, 2009 at 10:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannytuff says...
ForestG - way to lighten it a little. Thanks for the laugh.
FYI..... be careful when you correct grammar/spelling; Trust me, some bloggers here go absolutely berserk if you bring errors to light. It is inevitable with some users.
That is a huge pet peeve of mine, but some of these people get really REALLY cranky about it. American education is a wonderful thing, isn't it?
October 23, 2009 at 11:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
drbjr says...
mm1967, I'm sure that public health officials have taken the many concerns in to consideration when choosing not to send home letters at your suggested level. As they have the knowledge and experience in this area I will trust them. I spoke to an expert (MD Phd) on this yesterday who said concerned it was getting overblown by much of the media and folks like you. BTW my child has asthma and had the flu last week.
October 23, 2009 at 11:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BlueMoon1941 says...
I think mm is right, We need to know what is going on in our schools, and that incl health issues,I appauld Albany's closing the schoos and looking after the children's health and community, So what happened St Joe? afraid of using up vacation time!!
October 23, 2009 at 12:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
drbjr,
I hope your child is doing ok and did not have any complications with the flu.Really even though we do not agree with each other I am sincere in say I hope your child is ok.
BlueMoon1941,
I could not agree with your comment more.
October 23, 2009 at 12:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Apple you are a fever that will not go away and your disrespect for the children that have medical underlying issues that this affects differently.As well as the rest of the children in the system.
October 23, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rocketmom says...
Forest G--please post more. That was wonderful!
October 23, 2009 at 2:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rocketmom says...
mm--please accept my apology for any words that were hurtful or unkind. I try very hard to live my life in a way that will help others; never hurt them.
Heritage--thank you for the reminder to be kind. I allowed frustration to get the best of me.
October 23, 2009 at 3:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
rocketmom,
No problem.
Apple
I am in no way a self centered person I am the type of guy who would take my last dollar to make sure a child had and that would be anybodys child.I will not get into it with you on the things my family does for others because we d onot look at helping people for a pat on the back but rather to make sure others have.
As far as some of your post they seem to be distrespectfull to childrens health and more toward supporting the district each and everytime no matter what it may be. But in theis case as usaul we do not agree they need to be more upfront and honest with the parents of our school on how high of a percentage of flu is in our schools.Parents then can make decsions based of off this info from the schools.I do not expect you to understand this but this is the way you come off as if the district never does any wrong and it is always the parents fault.
October 23, 2009 at 5:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dillygent1 says...
I was glad to see that Mrs. Duty would put a "red flag" up at 15%. I think this is one time where the larger school districts have a problem and the smaller school district decisions may be more "cut and dried". There are schools in the district located all over the city. A smaller school district may be just one to three buildings. My only concern is that we are also talking about state money where the district receives payment for people in school. There becomes an incentive for the school to stay open. As long as the school district is conscientious, which I feel the district will be, in this case, all should work out. However, I would like to see some of the money spent on duct work in the schools. With the flu on us, it is too late to worry about that now. But, I still think, after the current problem passes, the district should look into it. It probably needs to be done in the summer because the children are not around breathing whatever comes out of the ducts.
October 23, 2009 at 7:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ApparentlySo says...
What difference does it make how "high the percentage is at school"? Are you saying you are honestly doing reacting any differently if your child has one kid out of school sick ("out" of school is the key there) then if there are 50 kids out, or 200? I'd be more worried about the 1 kid who is sick that spends all day with my kid and isn't out sick.
October 24, 2009 at 9:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ApparentlySo says...
What difference does it make how "high the percentage is at school"? Are you saying you are honestly reacting any differently if your child has one kid out of school sick ("out" of school is the key there) then if there are 50 kids out, or 200? I'd be more worried about the 1 kid who is sick that spends all day with my kid and isn't out sick.
October 24, 2009 at 9:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )