Parent / teacher was last night.

[DisneyMom81]

Before we got to go to our kids classrooms, we all sat in the gym while the principal, super attendant of schools, and nurse got up and spoke. It was nothing but 35 minutes on the Swine flu. I know there are parents out there that will send their kids to school with illness because they have to go to work, etc, but my goodness, did we really need to sit there for 35 minutes, and listen to 3 people repeat each other about something we all already know about?? They even went as far as to say that if a child has as simple as a runny nose - even if its clear - they will send that child home. My kids don't have issues with allergies, but what if a kid is simply having an allergic reaction to something - will he/she be kept out of school for a month because of it??
They also said that they would not be handing out perfect attendance certificates this year (like they have every year in the past) to help encourage you NOT to send your kid to school.

Its going to be an interesting year to say the least.

 

[EthansMom]

Our school has a small (but vocal) group of parents that is trying to get the schools to close for MONTHS in a row at the slightest sign of swine flu. They also have contacted the independent bus company that our schools use and are trying to get them to disinfect the busses inbetween each use (the busses make multiple runs per day). They have gone a bit overboard on their fear of H1N1 and their response to the threat of illness doesn't really cooncide with a reasonable medical approach.... at all.

One parent sent out information about handwashing for children and said that her child will be following good handwashing rules "until we get the H1N1 vacccine". I've got news folks... the traditional flu kills more people than H1N1, the flu is transmitted more through aerosol (sneezing, coughing) than contact (touching the germs on the bus), the vaccine isn't usually effective until about 2 weeks after you get it, you can still get a traditional flu if you get the "flu vaccine" (which only vaccinates against the strains that they think will be a problem, not all strains), and good handwashing is ALWAYS a good practice for health.

In addition to vaccines and clean habits (handwashing, coughing in your elbow), getting rest and plenty of fluids as the slightest sign of illness is always a good idea. Also, avoiding public situations where you might be exposed to illness during late fall and winter will probably a good thing.

Personally, I am trying to get my Christmas shopping done even earlier than usual this year and will be trying to coordinate grocery shopping and errands into one day per week for the winter. I can't completely keep the kids from picking up illnesses at school and sports, but I can limit our exposure from other public outings (shopping, eating out, etc...). They, whoever *they* is, are saying to expect a bad flu season (not just H1N1) and also a cold winter. So, preparing to hunker down at home for most of the winter isn't necessarily a bad plan.

 

[HelenePA]

Holy cow for a runny nose they'll send them home? Mine would have been home most of the year! They got a simple cold the first week and I can NOT get their nose to stop running since! I am off to the dr's with my son (4) today because he has an earache. I must add I think they got sick at the dr's both of the boys had well dr appointments the 2nd day of school.. I really hate going to the dr's during this time of year. I avoid it like the plague (or maybe like swine flu lol) because they always pick something else up there..

 

[DisneyMom81]

One of the funniest parts was when the super attendant said that the Swine flu only killed about 500 people, while the regular flu killed a huge number more than that (I can't remember the exact number), then went on and on and on about how dangerous swine flu was again. I was like, you just said that its NOT that big of a deal compared to a regular flu (which no one is freeking out about), and now your going on and on about it again!!!! I was hoping that we would have left the hysteria back in the last school year, but apparently not.
We had 2 confirmed cases in the whole school district last year, and we never closed then, but there ready to close the schools now with just a runny nose! Plus, they took every single parents email address just incase they had to close the school for an indefinite amount of time, and this way they can get the kids their work. Its crazy!

 

[HelenePA]

Plus, they took every single parents email address just incase they had to close the school for an indefinent about of time, and this way they can get the kids their work. Its crazy!

Wouldn't that essentially be homeschooling? lol Our open house is on Thursday wonder if they'll mention it then? We've had nothing come home about it so we'll see I guess

 

[laurie31]

I have a friend who has pulled all three of her kids out of public school to homeschool because of swine flu. Now, I homeschool my 8th grade DD, but I do it for educational reasons. In general, I think homeschooling is great if done right, but the school year is well underway, she hasn't got a cover group (required by law in this state), and honestly, I don't see the point unless she also pulls her kids out of church, and never takes them outside the home. That's a pretty miserable existance, I think.

She is freaked because 36 kids have died of swine flu. Yes, that is 36 too many, but remember that 50-100 kids die EVERY YEAR of "regular" flu, but media hype is what it is. If I did the math correctly, 36 kids in the entire USA is something like a 1 in 2 million chance. I think the lottery has better odds, and so does being struck by lightening. However, there's a 1 in 60 chance of being killed in a car wreck, but no one stops driving.


Back to the OP...our Superintendent is the guest speaker at PTA tonight. If he talks about swine flu I am going to laugh and it will be your fault!

(disclaimer: no I don't think H1N1 nor any other serious illness is funny, but I would find the irony amusing and have to wonder if superintendents everywhere are on the same page or something - lol)

 

[ozarkmom]

Last week on the local news they interviewed a father that is pulling his kids out of school because of H1N1. No there hadn't been an outbreak he just didn't think he should send his kids to school because they might get it.

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

One of the funniest parts was when the super attendant said that the Swine flu only killed about 500 people, while the regular flu killed a huge numer more than that (I can't remember the exact number), then went on and on and on about how dangerous swine flu was again. I was like, you just said that its NOT that big of a deal compaired to a regular flu (which no one is freeking out about), and now your going on and on about it again!!!! I was hoping that we would have left the hysteria back in the last school year, but apparently not.
We had 2 confirmed cases in the whole school district last year, and we never closed then, but there ready to close the schools now with just a runny nose! Plus, they took every single parents email address just incase they had to close the school for an indefinent about of time, and this way they can get the kids their work. Its crazy!

I'm not one to correct spelling - but, you did this twice and I don't want you to be embarassed if you make the same mistake while communicating with your child's school. The proper term is superintendent, not super attendant.

 

[Darsa]

I would really honestly like to know why this flu is more of a concern than the "regular" flu... I'm not able to grasp that concept, apparently.

The superintendent of our school system sent a letter home with students' first-day packets, cautioning and giving tips on how to avoid it, but nothing about closing thank goodness.

 

[DisneyMom81]

I'm not one to correct spelling - but, you did this twice and I don't want you to be embarassed if you make the same mistake while communicating with your child's school. The proper term is superintendent, not super attendant.

Yeah - I put my whole post into my AOL spell check, and there was no word for indendant, so I figured it had to be spelled this way.... I hate spelling, always did bad with it at school!!!!! Now that someone else posted the right way to spell it, I know. I SAY it right.... just can't spell it.

 

[Pixiedust34]

It's a good thing we homeschool. Even with meds, my dd's nose can be a faucet during the height of allergy season. She'd probably miss a month of school due to her seasonal allergies until winter weather arrives.

 

[DisneyMom81]

Last week on the local news they interviewed a father that is pulling his kids out of school because of H1N1. No there hadn't been an outbreak he just didn't think he should send his kids to school because they might get it.

Oh my goodness - people are just so crazy. I just don't understand it. My kids are very young, and making sure they wash their hands, and use hand sanitizer after the touch things while at school.... I don't know if thats going to happen, and I'll be very upset if they do get this H1N1 or any other flu (especially since we are going to Disney right at the height of flu season ) but yanking your kids from school because of it is just nuts - especially since they have yet to have an outbreak!

 

[pyrxtc]

2 of my kids are home now, sick..... well I gave my youngest one more day since he now has post nasal drip and it makes him cough but no fever and nor sore throat or anything like that. he had it over the weekend. My other DS just started feeling bad yesterday but went to school, came home worse. slight fever but it is just a cold and I am not taking kids to DR for him to tell me that. I'll keep him home while his nose is running and his fever is higher than normal but he is going right back.

I agree that too many people are over-reacting to H1N1 now. Ugh... it is very annoying ! Every little cough and they freak.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I would really honestly like to know why this flu is more of a concern than the "regular" flu... I'm not able to grasp that concept, apparently.

The superintendent of our school system sent a letter home with students' first-day packets, cautioning and giving tips on how to avoid it, but nothing about closing thank goodness.

The "regular" flu doesn't generally kill young and otherwise healthy people. This H1N1 is doing more of that than "regular" flu.

I'm not pulling the kids out of school, but I might if this flu was close enough. And while I applaud efforts to keep sick people at home in generally and absolutely when stuff like this is around, I sure as heck wouldn't want to sit through 35 minutes of it in a school, either.

How it can take 35 minutes for those people to say, "This is a dangerous flu, it is killing young, healthy people. We don't want it going around here. Keep your sick kid at home, for crying out loud," I just don't know.

 

[clutter]

My dd12 probably had it early this summer (peds was out of flu kits, so couldn't test). As in the majority of cases, it was really really mild. Never crossed my mind that it could be H1N1, except that it lasted 4 or 5 days.

 

[Embel]

Our school created an informational package on Swine Flu, and the nurse has mentioned it in our weekly bulletins. They also instituted a new 24 hour fever free before returning to school policy.

What is ironic is that the school has a lunch policy that is practically designed to spread germs. 1 child per table is tasked with clearing everyone's lunch. That's right- our kids are expected to "bus" the table. What's worse is that in this day & age of recycling, they are expected to remove straws from other children's milks to separate the plastic from the cartons. Soo gross!

You can write a note asking that your child be excused from this duty. I think the school should do away with it entirely.

Less germy but still icky- the kids are also given dustpans & told to sweep under the table.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

What is ironic is that the school has a lunch policy that is practically designed to spread germs. 1 child per table is tasked with clearing everyone's lunch. That's right- our kids are expected to "bus" the table. What's worse is that in this day & age of recycling, they are expected to remove straws from other children's milks to separate the plastic from the cartons. Soo gross!

You can write a note asking that your child be excused from this duty. I think the school should do away with it entirely.

Less germy but still icky- the kids are also given dustpans & told to sweep under the table.

They should be fine if they don't touch their faces while in the midst of these tasks (which they should be doing anyway), then wash or Purell their hands right afterward. I'd probably want to make sure Purell was available in the cafeteria and that kids were encouraged by an adult to use it after cleaning.

We can't live in a bubble, and we can't control what others do, but we can take measures to protect ourselves. They are probably at higher risk for catching germs in their classrooms and in bathrooms, IMO. (And if you want to have your child excused, then so be it. I wouldn't. I like seeing mine work! )

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Our school has a small (but vocal) group of parents that is trying to get the schools to close for MONTHS in a row at the slightest sign of swine flu. They also have contacted the independent bus company that our schools use and are trying to get them to disinfect the busses inbetween each use (the busses make multiple runs per day). They have gone a bit overboard on their fear of H1N1 and their response to the threat of illness doesn't really cooncide with a reasonable medical approach.... at all.

One parent sent out information about handwashing for children and said that her child will be following good handwashing rules "until we get the H1N1 vacccine". I've got news folks... the traditional flu kills more people than H1N1, the flu is transmitted more through aerosol (sneezing, coughing) than contact (touching the germs on the bus), the vaccine isn't usually effective until about 2 weeks after you get it, you can still get a traditional flu if you get the "flu vaccine" (which only vaccinates against the strains that they think will be a problem, not all strains), and good handwashing is ALWAYS a good practice for health.

In addition to vaccines and clean habits (handwashing, coughing in your elbow), getting rest and plenty of fluids as the slightest sign of illness is always a good idea. Also, avoiding public situations where you might be exposed to illness during late fall and winter will probably a good thing.

Personally, I am trying to get my Christmas shopping done even earlier than usual this year and will be trying to coordinate grocery shopping and errands into one day per week for the winter. I can't completely keep the kids from picking up illnesses at school and sports, but I can limit our exposure from other public outings (shopping, eating out, etc...). They, whoever *they* is, are saying to expect a bad flu season (not just H1N1) and also a cold winter. So, preparing to hunker down at home for most of the winter isn't necessarily a bad plan.

Great post!

 

[ZachnElli]

Wow, I'm glad my kids' schools aren't over-reacting over swine flu! Both my older kids have serious seasonal allergies, so a runny nose when keep them home all fall and spring! The swine flu is everywhere in my kids' schools. We have been exposed. The neighbors 2 doors down have it and their son was just here playing the day before his sister was diagnosed! It is extremely mild! His sister had a slight fever and a slight cough for a few days, so they took her in and tested her. But that's it, she bouncing around the house like normal. I'm really not worried about it. It sounds a heck of alot more mild than the regular seasonal flu I had in 2006!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

my goodness, did we really need to sit there for 35 minutes, and listen to 3 people repeat each other about something we all already know about??

Do you really think that this is something everyone knows everything about already? You must know something I don't know.

Personally, I'd be grateful these people took the time and effort to help make the school a safer place for my children.