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H1N1 changes school attendance policies
Parents are worried about the H1N1 virus, but also about absences, so some school districts are changing attendance policies.
Posted: 4:49 PM Sep 14, 2009
Reporter: Samantha Andre
RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga.---Parents are worried about the H1N1 virus, but also about absences, so some school districts are changing attendance policies.
Richmond County has a six-week suspension of their policy in place. The usual policy requires a doctor's note after five absences.
"What that does is it causes a run on the hospitals and on the clinics for people that are going just to get notes to make sure those absences are excused for their kids," said Louis Svehla, the public information director for the Richmond County School System.
Now only a note from a parent is needed until October 30.
In Columbia County, after five absences, a doctor's note is required.
In Aiken County, a student must have a doctor's note if they're absent more than ten days.
One thing the three counties do have in common is they are all working to have the H1N1 vaccine available at some schools once it comes out next month.
But, at least for now, Svehla, says if your child has a fever or other symptoms, "Please keep them home. Not just for the safety of the child but for the safety of the students and teachers and others at the school."
http://www.wrdw.com/schools/headlines/59263082.html
Parents are worried about the H1N1 virus, but also about absences, so some school districts are changing attendance policies.
Posted: 4:49 PM Sep 14, 2009
Reporter: Samantha Andre
RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga.---Parents are worried about the H1N1 virus, but also about absences, so some school districts are changing attendance policies.
Richmond County has a six-week suspension of their policy in place. The usual policy requires a doctor's note after five absences.
"What that does is it causes a run on the hospitals and on the clinics for people that are going just to get notes to make sure those absences are excused for their kids," said Louis Svehla, the public information director for the Richmond County School System.
Now only a note from a parent is needed until October 30.
In Columbia County, after five absences, a doctor's note is required.
In Aiken County, a student must have a doctor's note if they're absent more than ten days.
One thing the three counties do have in common is they are all working to have the H1N1 vaccine available at some schools once it comes out next month.
But, at least for now, Svehla, says if your child has a fever or other symptoms, "Please keep them home. Not just for the safety of the child but for the safety of the students and teachers and others at the school."
http://www.wrdw.com/schools/headlines/59263082.html