Schools and Swine Flu---A Rant

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Just an explanation for those of you who don't know what a Regents is:

New York State offers Regents exams to high school students at the end of most courses. The exam tests mastery of the material in the course. It's a state wide exam, given at a particular time on a particular date-- there's a very tiny little window in which the exams may start. (That way, a kid can't finish the exam, call his cousin elsewhere in the state, and give him the answers.)

They're given in June, August, and January.

OP, I imagine your daughter is a Junior, and that's why she's taking so many at once? Is there any way she could defer some of the easier exams till January??

I learned a lot of this today, being that we are not from NY and she is our oldest, and she learend a bit today too. We did not realize not all her finals were regents finals, only 3 were (she is a Freshman). One she took yesterday, sick, but before we knew what it was. The other 2 she will be taking in August. Her other exams are in fact only finals (again, even she didn't know there was a difference) and she is going to be able to make them all up on Monday (a long day, yes, but at least she can make them up.)

I appreciate your explination, I think it is difficult for people not familiar with regents to understand, it was for us. We were totally confused but after about 5 hours of phone calls, e-mails and googling, I learned a lot today.

I still think it stinks, the pressure on the kids especially since several of her friends seem to have the virus but have kept quiet to stay in school. She has one friend who is now officially out for a week as well due to H1N1. BUT, it is what it is, we are rearranging our summer schedule so she will be here for summer school and the test. We are counting our blessings that this is all we are dealing with, many people have far bigger worries with their children.

 

[tiggertabi]

I can definitely understand your frustration. I think it's just a bad effect of the system. Unfortunately, I had some students come to school sick last week, and I apparently/possibly have H1N1 now because of it. I had 3 different students go home with fevers within an hour or 2 of coming to school, all of which said their parents told them that since we weren't "doing anything" they should be okay. Well I have to do stuff all this week, like grades and my classroom packed up, etc., and I'm sick. That is why the schools had to put the one week rule into place, so it doesn't spread further.

I'm sorry your daughter will have to retake this summer though!

 

[Aliceacc]

OP, which Regents is your daughter taking? As a Freshman, I'm guessing Algebra, Earth Science and maybe Global Studies??

Would she be willing to defer any of these until January? Is she particularly good in math and would she be willing to hold off on Algebra till then?? It might relieve some of the pressure, and might be something you should discuss with the guidance office at school.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

OP, which Regents is your daughter taking? As a Freshman, I'm guessing Algebra, Earth Science and maybe Global Studies??

Would she be willing to defer any of these until January? Is she particularly good in math and would she be willing to hold off on Algebra till then?? It might relieve some of the pressure, and might be something you should discuss with the guidance office at school.

You know your stuff... Those are exactly the ones. She already took the social studies one, so she only has 2 to make up. I think she will be OK to take the 2 in August, and she wants to get them over with, but I appreciate the suggestion.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I can definitely understand your frustration. I think it's just a bad effect of the system. Unfortunately, I had some students come to school sick last week, and I apparently/possibly have H1N1 now because of it. I had 3 different students go home with fevers within an hour or 2 of coming to school, all of which said their parents told them that since we weren't "doing anything" they should be okay. Well I have to do stuff all this week, like grades and my classroom packed up, etc., and I'm sick. That is why the schools had to put the one week rule into place, so it doesn't spread further.

I'm sorry your daughter will have to retake this summer though!

Yes, I get the week thing. Believe me I wish more people had kept the germs at home. Sorry you are now sick, it must be hard finishing up the year sick. I know my DD is so headachey that she is pretty much trying to sleep it off, you can't do that so I feel for you. Hope it passes quickly for you...

 

[Aliceacc]

You know your stuff... Those are exactly the ones. She already took the social studies one, so she only has 2 to make up. I think she will be OK to take the 2 in August, and she wants to get them over with, but I appreciate the suggestion.

As you probably guessed, I'm a teacher. I teach math in a private school that doesn't do Regents (sacrilege in NY, I know) but I did teach in a more typical school years ago.

 

[zoemurr]

which school district are you in?

I'm in Penfield and we received an auto call last night and there is a big thing on our website that says New York is demanding that any child with any type of flu like symtoms needs to stay home for 7 days. My kids have 4 more days of school and all of the fun stuff going on. Of course my DS started the sniffles yesterday, but I didn't think much of it. He gets this 4-5x a year for a few days at a time, like most of us do in this climate. I would never send him to school sick, but I don't keep him home for every sneeze and cough. This is a terrible time of year for this to happen.

 

[zoemurr]

Good evening, this is John Carlevatti, Superintendent of the Penfield Central School District. I am calling to inform you that we have had a small rash of flu-like illness in our schools. At this time, the Monroe County Health Department has NOT notified us of any confirmed cases of H1N1 flu in our district. Currently, we are following the guidelines established by state and local health officials and our school physician. Those guidelines indicate that students who have a temperature of 101 degrees or higher and at least one flu-like symptom, should be sent home and excluded from school for a minimum of 7 days, or 24 hours after experiencing the last symptoms, whichever period is longer.
We realize that exams are under way and want to reassure you that special exam arrangements can be made for those secondary students who are feeling better, but are still in the exclusion period, by contacting your child’s counselor. We'd also like to remind you that the best method of prevention continues to be frequent hand-washing with soap and water.
Additional information regarding the H1N1 flu and these protocols is available on our district web site, www.penfield.edu, under Quick Links. Thank you for your attention and have a nice evening.

This makes it sound like make-ups are no big deal.. of course they don't say when they will be made up.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

which school district are you in?

I'm in Penfield and we received an auto call last night and there is a big thing on our website that says New York is demanding that any child with any type of flu like symtoms needs to stay home for 7 days. My kids have 4 more days of school and all of the fun stuff going on. Of course my DS started the sniffles yesterday, but I didn't think much of it. He gets this 4-5x a year for a few days at a time, like most of us do in this climate. I would never send him to school sick, but I don't keep him home for every sneeze and cough. This is a terrible time of year for this to happen.

We are in Gates-Chili. I don't know which is worse, our schools are covering up the problem. I know it stinks time of year and all, I have 2 younger ones who have not seen their sister for a second in several days, even before we knew what she had because I am hoping to keep them healthy for their last few days. But at the high school, the kids are all saying everyone is sick and walking around feeling awful but don't want to have to make up classes. Some of the teachers are also sick (so her friends have told us). When I spoke with the school yesterday they said everyone seems fine, it's just allergy season. True, my oldest has allergies, but allergies don't cause fevers. As far as the week rule, that is apparently set up by the Monroe County Health Dept. Interesting how different disctrics handle it differently. Our schools have not said a word.

As for "no confirmed cases", the county has stopped testing kids and are treating every case as though it is one, but without the test they won't be able to confirm any.

 

[krcit]

My dd was diagnosed with the flu yesterday so she also is out of school for 7 days. I have to also get a note clearing her to go back on Tuesday. she's missing a big heritage celebration that they have been working on for months but what are you going to do? The schools are just following the states mandates. I don't understand how they are making kids stay home without a flu diagnosis though My friend is a pediatrician and said that noone is really testing for swine flu-just strain A or B and treating A as swine. I had it last week and now dd has it. My whole family is on tamiflu so hopefully noone else will get it. It really seems to be a 'damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.


OP, that stinks about the Regents. I remember being sick as a dog with strep throat but dragging myself to school for a math regents. They really need to have a make-up test closer to the actual test date.I hope your dd feels better soon-my dds fever broke yesterday and she seems a lot better today-just coughing and a sore throat.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

krcit- Sorry for you DD, it stinks to miss the fun stuff. I feel for her. One year my middle DD missed the Valentines celebration (1st grade), she was heartbroken!

I know they are following the rules, that isn't my issue, and now even the regents aren't my complaint, I have dealt with that and moved on, it just stinks that they seem to be ignoring the problem (all the sick kids who have not stayed home and no one is forcing them to until they are forced to by the doctors). Many more will get sick that way. I am trying like heck to keep my younger 2 healthy. My oldest in her room, the only time she comes out is to use the bathroom and then I go in and wipe it all down with Lysol. Just about like how I treat the regular flu, but stepped up a little in hopes the other 2 can finish the last 4 days of school.

To everyong dealing with this annoyance at the end of the school year.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

As you probably guessed, I'm a teacher. I teach math in a private school that doesn't do Regents (sacrilege in NY, I know) but I did teach in a more typical school years ago.

Based on the ages of your kids, that does make sense-- you know a lot about HS for not having any highschoolers. Thanks for your input, I sure learned a lot in the last 24 hours. At least I finally understand regents!

 

[bethbuchall]

You know your stuff... Those are exactly the ones. She already took the social studies one, so she only has 2 to make up. I think she will be OK to take the 2 in August, and she wants to get them over with, but I appreciate the suggestion.

I was trying to figure out what the third would be. Here the Global Regents is taken at the end of the sophomore year, because it is a test of two years of global studies. We don't have accelerated or AP for global studies. They can, however, take AP American History in 11th grade and take both the AP exam and the Regents for that.

Our school district also had the problem with a snow day on Day 2 of the English Regents in January. At first, everyone was going to have to repeat both days of testing in June, but it was then decided that they could use Day 1 results from Jan and just take Day 2 in June.

The reason that they can't have make-ups for AP and Regents exams is that it would be cost prohibitive to make so many different exams. Once the exam is released and students are out of the exam room, it can't be reused.

It does really stink, though! I hope your daughter is feeling better and does well in August! It also stinks that you are being "punished" for following the rules. That happens to us a lot, too, but at least you know that you are doing what is right.

My dd is just starting her chem regents now. I hope it goes well!

 

[MissNurse]

I know this must be extremely frustrating for you! I am a school nurse, so I understand the school's policy on staying out for the 7 day period. I do think, however, that they are being extremely unreasonable about the exams. There are many ways to accomodate you that they are obviously not willing to try. They could give her exam in an isolated area or something. Truth be told, your daughter was contagious days ago. I would take this to the superintendent, because there is no reason your daughter should be subjected to lengthy summer school because she missed a few days. Best of luck!

 

[allyphoe]

We realize that exams are under way and want to reassure you that special exam arrangements can be made for those secondary students who are feeling better, but are still in the exclusion period, by contacting your child’s counselor.

This makes it sound like make-ups are no big deal..

I personally didn't read that as allowing make-ups. I read it as "If your kid is scheduled to take the exam tomorrow, and feels well enough to do so, but isn't allowed back to school yet, the counselor can arrange for a separately-proctored (so you aren't spreading your germs) exam at the regularly-scheduled time."

 

[Aliceacc]

I personally didn't read that as allowing make-ups. I read it as "If your kid is scheduled to take the exam tomorrow, and feels well enough to do so, but isn't allowed back to school yet, the counselor can arrange for a separately-proctored (so you aren't spreading your germs) exam at the regularly-scheduled time."

I agree. I don't think they're offering a makeup, I think it's an offer of quarantine.

 

[zoemurr]

that's even better isn't it? Maybe you could show that to your school system. If they're doing it a few towns over then perhaps they would consider it. It's in an e-mail I could forward to you if you would like.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I did ask if we could either bring her and have her sit outside the classroom window (literally outside, like on a lawn chair) or if they would send a tutor to the house to sit outside with her and they said it was inappropriate for me to even ask to put any of their staff in harms way. I know I probably could have fought it, but we were literally hours away from the one test and knew I wouldn't get anywhere with it before then, and our district is such a mess right now I don't know that it would have been addressed before her second one. On top of that, she is very dizzy and cannot even sit up for long today. She was not able to complete the test she did take, so at this point I'd just assume let her get better and worry about the tests later.

My first post was before I understood regents, and now that I do, while I still think there sould be a better system, I know why things are the way they are, and we have accepted it. What my DD has will pass and we will survive and for that how can I really complain? So many families deal with much worse.

One thing does have me wondering. If this is a state standardized test, wouldn't they want the kids to do as well as possible to make their district look good? Knowing they have a bunch of sick kids taking these tests makes me think their results are not going to be as good as they could be. Seems to me the schools, despite the headache it would cause, would want to admit the outbreak and get the school shut down so they could postpone the tests till when the kids are feeling better. Maybe they are encouraged not to, I don't know. It is interesting though...

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

One more update...

I had contacted the Monroe County Health Dept yesterday, and just heard back from the Director, Andrew Doniger. He said that some disctrics have set up testing sites for children with the flu, so I guess my request was not so "inappropriate". He said they are looking into it, but again being that she has (hopefully) peaked today and is very dizzy, I know she would not be able to take it today, so I am done worrying about it right now. I did once again suggest though that they need to look at the number of kids sick and try to make the school deal with it. We'll see. I did just Google my county and it seems they are now admitting there is an outbreak.

 

[cuppycake]

I did ask if we could either bring her and have her sit outside the classroom window (literally outside, like on a lawn chair) or if they would send a tutor to the house to sit outside with her and they said it was inappropriate for me to even ask to put any of their staff in harms way.

Are you flipping kidding me???? THEY are already putting their staff in harms way by not admitting this outbreak and allowing sick kids to attend school if they haven't been to the doctor!!! I am totally sickened by the way that this school is handling the flu side of this issue. With this outbreak, here in MO, our schools were sending kids out if there were fevers/other symptoms that could even POSSIBLY be the flu!

I do understand that there is nothing to freak out about when it comes to "swine" flu, but that they would put all of these kids (flu can be waaaay serious for certain groups of children) at risk KNOWINGLY?!?!? Man. It seems like something could be done about that. I can't believe the health dept (or the CDC) hasn't stepped in. I haven't read every detail....have you been in contact with the CDC at all?

I have friends whose child was exposed through a family visit to New York, and the CDC was ALL OVER it! She was in contact with them and they helped her every step of the way.

Wow. Just wow. So not fair to the kids who aren't sick that this is happening.

I'm sorry that your daughter couldn't take the tests, but I'm with you in that at least it makes sense now.