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Swine flu: Anaconda cancels school, sports events; Hamilton left without homecoming
By GEORGE PLAVEN Montana Standard
DAVID ERICKSON Ravalli Republic
Posted: Thursday, October 8, 2009 7:10 pm
ANACONDA -
A wave of absenteeism in Anaconda's public schools, attributed mainly to the H1N1 virus, prompted Superintendent Tom Darnell to close all schools Friday.
The decision also means that Hamilton's homecoming game against the Anaconda Copperheads, set for Friday night, is off.
Darnell announced the closure Thursday afternoon, with 333 students - or nearly 30 percent of the district, up from 19 percent on Monday - out sick.
"This is an unusual situation," Darnell said. "Nobody here has any recollection of when this was done last, if ever, due to illness."
With no standard established by the state, the district set the benchmark for school closure at 25 percent.
"It was strictly a local call," Darnell said.
It is not the presence of swine flu that is forcing school closure, Darnell said, but the impact it has had on attendance.
"Teachers, when they have a large percent out of their classroom, really can't introduce new material," Darnell said. "It just doesn't make sense to try and have school under those conditions."
School officials will monitor attendance when classes resume Monday. If absenteeism is still excessive, they will consider future closings.
Extra-curricular activities have also been canceled, Darnell said. That included Thursday night's volleyball game, as well as the Friday night football game.
"We can't ever remember having to forfeit a game," said Anaconda High School athletic director Alan Green.
Green said 14 out of the 32 varsity football players had flu symptoms and missed school Thursday. Also, dozens of teachers and athletes in every other high school sport were affected.
Green wasn't sure of what percentage of flu cases were attributed to the H1N1 virus, but there were at least three confirmed cases among varsity football players. Those cases were confirmed by private doctors in Anaconda, because the hospital there was immediately sending patients home if they displayed any flu-like symptoms.
"I feel bad for the Hamilton kids," he said. "We never want to have to cancel somebody's homecoming, but there was no way we could field a competitive football team, even with all of our freshmen. We have had to cease all practices as well. It's sort of disappointing, but in a way some of the kids are relieved because there was no way we were going to be able to compete."
The Butte school district was reporting similar absenteeism rates attributed to H1N1 flu on Thursday.
The news was bittersweet for the Hamilton football squad because despite moving automatically to 2-1 in Southwestern A action, they will play one less game this year.
"Obviously, we are real disappointed," said Hamilton head coach Steve Weston. "We've worked real hard this week. We know there is nothing they can do about it, but one of our home games is taken away from the kids. I feel especially bad for my seniors, with it being their last homecoming game. They know it's unavoidable, but it's hard for them to understand. Hopefully, now with it being a bye-week, we will just work hard to prepare for our home game against Corvallis next week."
Monday's freshman/sophomore Hamilton football game in Anaconda is canceled as well, along with Corvallis High School's home volleyball contest against the Lady Copperheads on Saturday.
Friday's homecoming parade for Hamilton High School is still scheduled for 4 p.m. The parade starts at Haynes Field and continues to State Street, where it will turn to Second Street and then go back down Main. The high school pep assembly is scheduled for 2:30, and the homecoming dance will begin at 9 p.m. The homecoming royalty will be crowned at the dance, and parents are welcome to attend.
http://www.missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/article_12095f0c-b471-11de-8e37-001cc4c03286.html
By GEORGE PLAVEN Montana Standard
DAVID ERICKSON Ravalli Republic
Posted: Thursday, October 8, 2009 7:10 pm
ANACONDA -
A wave of absenteeism in Anaconda's public schools, attributed mainly to the H1N1 virus, prompted Superintendent Tom Darnell to close all schools Friday.
The decision also means that Hamilton's homecoming game against the Anaconda Copperheads, set for Friday night, is off.
Darnell announced the closure Thursday afternoon, with 333 students - or nearly 30 percent of the district, up from 19 percent on Monday - out sick.
"This is an unusual situation," Darnell said. "Nobody here has any recollection of when this was done last, if ever, due to illness."
With no standard established by the state, the district set the benchmark for school closure at 25 percent.
"It was strictly a local call," Darnell said.
It is not the presence of swine flu that is forcing school closure, Darnell said, but the impact it has had on attendance.
"Teachers, when they have a large percent out of their classroom, really can't introduce new material," Darnell said. "It just doesn't make sense to try and have school under those conditions."
School officials will monitor attendance when classes resume Monday. If absenteeism is still excessive, they will consider future closings.
Extra-curricular activities have also been canceled, Darnell said. That included Thursday night's volleyball game, as well as the Friday night football game.
"We can't ever remember having to forfeit a game," said Anaconda High School athletic director Alan Green.
Green said 14 out of the 32 varsity football players had flu symptoms and missed school Thursday. Also, dozens of teachers and athletes in every other high school sport were affected.
Green wasn't sure of what percentage of flu cases were attributed to the H1N1 virus, but there were at least three confirmed cases among varsity football players. Those cases were confirmed by private doctors in Anaconda, because the hospital there was immediately sending patients home if they displayed any flu-like symptoms.
"I feel bad for the Hamilton kids," he said. "We never want to have to cancel somebody's homecoming, but there was no way we could field a competitive football team, even with all of our freshmen. We have had to cease all practices as well. It's sort of disappointing, but in a way some of the kids are relieved because there was no way we were going to be able to compete."
The Butte school district was reporting similar absenteeism rates attributed to H1N1 flu on Thursday.
The news was bittersweet for the Hamilton football squad because despite moving automatically to 2-1 in Southwestern A action, they will play one less game this year.
"Obviously, we are real disappointed," said Hamilton head coach Steve Weston. "We've worked real hard this week. We know there is nothing they can do about it, but one of our home games is taken away from the kids. I feel especially bad for my seniors, with it being their last homecoming game. They know it's unavoidable, but it's hard for them to understand. Hopefully, now with it being a bye-week, we will just work hard to prepare for our home game against Corvallis next week."
Monday's freshman/sophomore Hamilton football game in Anaconda is canceled as well, along with Corvallis High School's home volleyball contest against the Lady Copperheads on Saturday.
Friday's homecoming parade for Hamilton High School is still scheduled for 4 p.m. The parade starts at Haynes Field and continues to State Street, where it will turn to Second Street and then go back down Main. The high school pep assembly is scheduled for 2:30, and the homecoming dance will begin at 9 p.m. The homecoming royalty will be crowned at the dance, and parents are welcome to attend.
http://www.missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/article_12095f0c-b471-11de-8e37-001cc4c03286.html