Local Schools Prepare For Swine Flu
LA QUINTA – It closed schools across the nation and brought fear to students and parents.
“It’s kinda scary,” says parent Maria Flores.
Now, our local schools are taking extra precautions against the swine flu. In the next two weeks, crews will clean all campuses. On the first day, students will get information packets about the virus and prevention.
“We don’t want sick children or teachers at school,” says Elka Kelly-Parker, Director of Desert Sands Unified School District’s Student Support Services.
Before school starts, teachers will make sure their classrooms are equipped with germ fighters. Classes that have sinks will have plenty of soap for the students. When they can’t wash, there is also hand sanitizers in the classrooms.
This Spring, the swine flu shut down two Valley schools. But that won’t happen again. The Centers for Disease Control changed the rules. Now, schools will not close if a student gets the virus. Instead, the sick student must stay home for 24 hours. For everyone else, classes continue.
“Not having to close down is wonderful,” says Kelly-Parker. “If we can just exclude the students who are ill, schools can still go on and the curriculum can go on for students.”
Still, Desert Sands Unified School District is preparing for the worst. If a major outbreak does close down schools, they have alternative teaching methods in place.
“We are looking into phoning students at home or have the teachers call them or use the internet,” says Kelly-Parker.
Health officials warn the swine flu will spread this fall and winter. In the meantime, children should take matters into their own hands.
“I’m telling my son to be prepared and wash his hands,” says Flores.
For more information about what our local schools are doing to prevent the swine flu, you can visit their websites:
DSUSD: http://dsusd.us/DSUSD/
PSUSD: http://www.psusd.us/
