Photo by Amy Cherry Proactive measures are continuing within the St. Marys Area School District to prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu.

By Amy Cherry

Staff Writer

Cases of the H1N1 flu have been confirmed in all five public school buildings of the St. Marys Area School District. 

The first case was reported on October 9 at South St. Marys Street Elementary with the second case confirmed on October 19 at St. Marys Area High School. The latest cases were reported Monday at both Fox Township and Bennetts Valley Elementary schools.

According to Superintendent Anne Kearney the first case was reported after parents notified the school district about their child’s diagnosis. The school district contacted the student’s doctor who in turn verified that a student at SSMSE tested positive for H1N1. The doctor’s office also informed Kearney that there have been quite a few cases of H1N1 reported in Elk County.

Terri Dahl, school nurse, contacted Linda Deter of the Pennsylvania Department of Health who informed the district there was nothing they needed to do but to continue to be proactive in maintaining a healthy environment for the students.

“There isn’t anything else that we could be doing,” Kearney said. “We have certainly given out information to students and parents as far as hygienic practices. Elementary students have all been trained with presentations on proper hand washing while middle and high school students watched a video and Powerpoint presentation about handwashing and symptoms of H1N1 and the regular flu.”

She noted that school nurses have been “wonderful at monitoring the students health.” Nurses document the symptoms of any students sent home. They have also presented information on how to identify possible symptoms and what to do in case someone is diagnosed with H1N1.

School district officials met with Elk Regional Health Center personnel on Tuesday to discuss the issue.

“ERHC is recommending the same thing we’re recommending within the district. I believe we have a good handle on the situation,” Kearney said. “We know that its out there so we’re continuing to monitor students coming back to make sure they are ready to come back.”

The district has implemented numerous practices in an effort to prevent the spread of H1N1. Among those are installing hand sanitizers in every classroom while Aramark staff continues to disinfect all common surfaces such as desktops, computer keys, doorknobs and bathrooms.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to secure alternative child care plans if their child becomes ill.

In speaking with area superintendents, school officials are continuing to monitor student attendance.

Within the past week St. Marys schools have recorded the most student absences since the beginning of the school year.

Currently, St. Marys schools are averaging attendance rates in the mid 80th to 90th percentile. Kearney noted she would only consider closing schools if attendance dipped into the 60-70th percentile.

The highest number of absent students was recorded on Friday, Oct. 23 when 79 students were absent from the high school and 78 were absent from the middle school.

Also Bennetts Valley Elementary recorded the lowest overall percentage attendance rate of 83 percent on Thursday, Oct. 22 when 38 students were absent.

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, there were 69 students absent at SSMSE.

“Since health officials are recommending not going to the doctor’s office or emergency rooms, a lot of these absences could be for other reasons,” Kearney said.

Health officials stress sick individuals to stay home. They need to be fever free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school or work. When a child presents with a fever, parents should treat them however if they are moving and active, a fever is the body’s method of fighting off the illness.

She added that if there was a tremendous increase in student absences, she would contact the state and surrounding school districts for their advice on the matter.

“We are also concerned with what can be done to keep students on an educational track. We are being proactive by making sure their homework is ready. Our Powerschool program can track students assignments which they can access if they have an Internet connection at home.”