Student absences at Morris Central School nearly doubled Friday, a day after a letter was sent to parents alerting them to a swine-flu cluster at the school.
The school has also announced plans for students who become ill and cannot take finals or Regents testing.
There were about 75 absences on Friday, said Principal Leone Schermerhorn. On Thursday, the number was about 44 in a student population of about 475; that was before the school sent home a letter reporting that the Otsego County Department of Health said six students tested positive June 5 for H1N1 influenza.
The school was informed of the results late Wednesday, an official said.
The strain is mild and is considered no more serious than the seasonal flu, said health officials.
Schermerhorn said she was not surprised with the increase in absences. There may be families with elderly people or others in risk of serious complications from the flu, she said, such as those with compromised immune systems.
"They just can't take the risk," she said.
The illness has not impacted the staff, and in keeping with county health department recommendations, there is no plan to close the school, she said. But she said several parents have called to say they will not be sending their children back to school this year.
The final day of classes for students in grades 7-12 is Monday, with finals and Regents to follow. Elementary classes end June 23 with a half day.
Response faulted by Morris
mother of three
Diana Kara is a parent of three Morris students who have conditions that require them to be sent to other area schools. She faulted the school's response to the problem, and said because they are in an at-risk group, she will not be sending them back to school.
More should have done to notify her about the situation, she said.
If she had not called the school Thursday, she said, she questioned whether she would have received the note sent home.
Kara said the school should have canceled a Wednesday concert that several relatives attended, or at least posted a notice on the door about what was going on so people could make their own decisions.
Official: School following recommendations
Schermerhorn said that a note was sent home to Kara by her children's bus driver in a timely manner.
The school is following the recommendations of the county health department in handling the matter, Schermerhorn said.
The county has been working with the state Department of Health guidelines, said county public health emergency preparedness coordinator Cynthia Moore. The amount of calls coming into her department from the public was typical since swine flu has been in the news, she said.
The presence of H1N1 influenza requires "no restrictions on travel or mass gatherings," she said.
School plans to stop flu spread
The school is making plans to keep the influenza from spreading during end-of-year testing and ceremonies.
According to a media release from the school: Students with a fever of 100 or greater and flu symptoms, including body aches, sore throat, chills, fatigue and diarrhea, should stay home for seven days or 24 hours after symptoms subside, whichever is longer.
Special provisions are made for students exhibiting flu symptoms but a fever of less than 100 degrees who will be taking Regents. If the fever is 100 degrees or greater, students will have to take Regents in August or January.
Makeup exams will be provided for students who have missed other final exams because of illness. Parents should call the guidance office at 263-6116 to make arrangements.
Students with a temperature of 100 or greater or other flu symptoms will not be allowed to attend graduation June 26. A small alternate ceremony will be held at the July board of education meeting, if needed, the school said.
