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Source: http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.c...WS01/910080318
Seasonal flu hits Zanesville High
As much as 39% of students missed class this week
BY LEEANN MOORE ? Staff Writer ? October 8, 2009
ZANESVILLE -- The flu season already has hit Zanesville High School, as more than 300 students missed classes Monday.
Kevin Appleman, coordinator of operations/pupil services, said 35 percent of the 950 students were absent Monday and 39 percent missed class Tuesday. Those numbers fell slightly Wednesday, as 26 percent were out sick.
"They're sick, and parents are calling them off," said Appleman, who added that some absences could be attributed to previously scheduled doctor appointments. However, he said, the district is working very closely with the Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department and is taking precautions to keep students safe at a time when there's a threat of an H1N1 flu and seasonal flu outbreak.
Although 35 percent of the high school students were absent Monday, only 15 percent of students districtwide were out Monday. Typically, Appleman said, 93 to 95 percent of students are in attendance.
"I think with this flu season hitting us, doctors are telling parents that kids need to stay home and get healthy, and that's what we want," Appleman said. "We are working with the parents. If they have questions, they can give me a call."
There hasn't been an increase in absences at the West Muskingum Local School District this week, Superintendent Sharon Smith said.
East Muskingum Local School District Superintendent Jim Heagen said up until this week the district was averaging 70 to 75 absences per day out of 2,148 students. "Monday our absence rate increased to 142, Tuesday 100 and Wednesday 104. Our absence rate doubled on Monday and dropped back to about a 25 percent increase on Tuesday and Wednesday," Heagen said.
A three-page information packet recently was sent home with all students of Zanesville City Schools, which included a letter from Corey Hamilton, health commissioner, and two additional pages of safety tips to keep from contracting the seasonal or H1N1 flu.
"I encourage families to please read this information that was sent home. It talks about the warning signs, and if a student has a temperature they should get to the doctor, and to keep them home if they have a fever. After that, they should talk to their physician and take their physician's advice," Appleman said. "We continue to ask custodians to wipe down desks, pencil sharpeners, railings, and we're trying to keep buildings as clean as possible."
Although the city's elementary and middle schools haven't seen the same jump in absences, 15 teachers within the district were absent Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
"And that's not bad, and we've been able to cover all the classes with subs. We will continue to work with the health department and do the things we need to do to keep our buildings clean, and we just encourage parents to wash their children and if they have a temperature, get them to a doctor," Appleman said.
leemoore@nncogannett.com; (740) 450-6758
Seasonal flu hits Zanesville High
As much as 39% of students missed class this week
BY LEEANN MOORE ? Staff Writer ? October 8, 2009
ZANESVILLE -- The flu season already has hit Zanesville High School, as more than 300 students missed classes Monday.
Kevin Appleman, coordinator of operations/pupil services, said 35 percent of the 950 students were absent Monday and 39 percent missed class Tuesday. Those numbers fell slightly Wednesday, as 26 percent were out sick.
"They're sick, and parents are calling them off," said Appleman, who added that some absences could be attributed to previously scheduled doctor appointments. However, he said, the district is working very closely with the Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department and is taking precautions to keep students safe at a time when there's a threat of an H1N1 flu and seasonal flu outbreak.
Although 35 percent of the high school students were absent Monday, only 15 percent of students districtwide were out Monday. Typically, Appleman said, 93 to 95 percent of students are in attendance.
"I think with this flu season hitting us, doctors are telling parents that kids need to stay home and get healthy, and that's what we want," Appleman said. "We are working with the parents. If they have questions, they can give me a call."
There hasn't been an increase in absences at the West Muskingum Local School District this week, Superintendent Sharon Smith said.
East Muskingum Local School District Superintendent Jim Heagen said up until this week the district was averaging 70 to 75 absences per day out of 2,148 students. "Monday our absence rate increased to 142, Tuesday 100 and Wednesday 104. Our absence rate doubled on Monday and dropped back to about a 25 percent increase on Tuesday and Wednesday," Heagen said.
A three-page information packet recently was sent home with all students of Zanesville City Schools, which included a letter from Corey Hamilton, health commissioner, and two additional pages of safety tips to keep from contracting the seasonal or H1N1 flu.
"I encourage families to please read this information that was sent home. It talks about the warning signs, and if a student has a temperature they should get to the doctor, and to keep them home if they have a fever. After that, they should talk to their physician and take their physician's advice," Appleman said. "We continue to ask custodians to wipe down desks, pencil sharpeners, railings, and we're trying to keep buildings as clean as possible."
Although the city's elementary and middle schools haven't seen the same jump in absences, 15 teachers within the district were absent Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
"And that's not bad, and we've been able to cover all the classes with subs. We will continue to work with the health department and do the things we need to do to keep our buildings clean, and we just encourage parents to wash their children and if they have a temperature, get them to a doctor," Appleman said.
leemoore@nncogannett.com; (740) 450-6758