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School closes after 100 show signs of flu
By Dahleen Glanton
Tribune reporter
October 9, 2009
Francis W. Parker School in Chicago canceled classes on Friday and postponed a popular school fair after about 100 students were sent home with flu symptoms over the course of two days.
With swine flu spreading throughout the region, officials said they took the action as a precaution. They have not determined if the students actually had the H1N1 virus or the seasonal flu.
Officials at the private school said in a notice to parents that they consulted with a doctor at the Illinois State Board of Health. They said the doctor advised to avoid any activity that mingles older and younger students or mixes a population that might have a type of flu with one that does not.
As a result, officials canceled school and the County Fair, an annual school event.
"Our decision was made in an effort to be safe rather than sorry," Principal Dan Frank said in the notice.
When the first cases of swine flu emerged in spring, the federal government urged schools to close for up to 14 days if they had a confirmed case. Schools this year have been slower to call off classes. Francis Parker officials said classes will resume Tuesday.
Awareness of the circulating swine flu has increased vigilance throughout the region. The DuPage County Health Department and Illinois Department of Public Health said Thursday they are investigating whether the virus had anything to do with the unexpected death of a 14-year-old Naperville North High School student.
By Dahleen Glanton
Tribune reporter
October 9, 2009
Francis W. Parker School in Chicago canceled classes on Friday and postponed a popular school fair after about 100 students were sent home with flu symptoms over the course of two days.
With swine flu spreading throughout the region, officials said they took the action as a precaution. They have not determined if the students actually had the H1N1 virus or the seasonal flu.
Officials at the private school said in a notice to parents that they consulted with a doctor at the Illinois State Board of Health. They said the doctor advised to avoid any activity that mingles older and younger students or mixes a population that might have a type of flu with one that does not.
As a result, officials canceled school and the County Fair, an annual school event.
"Our decision was made in an effort to be safe rather than sorry," Principal Dan Frank said in the notice.
When the first cases of swine flu emerged in spring, the federal government urged schools to close for up to 14 days if they had a confirmed case. Schools this year have been slower to call off classes. Francis Parker officials said classes will resume Tuesday.
Awareness of the circulating swine flu has increased vigilance throughout the region. The DuPage County Health Department and Illinois Department of Public Health said Thursday they are investigating whether the virus had anything to do with the unexpected death of a 14-year-old Naperville North High School student.
