‘So far, so good’ as far as school flu

 

 

While other communities surrounding Whitehall have seen high increases in illness, the news here is so far, so good.

 

Neither the Whitehall Elementary nor Junior/Senior High School have seen drastic increases in absentees, and while the Whitehall Health Center has received an increase in calls for flu shots and testing, there have been no significant changes to the number of people coming in.

 

“The numbers have been normal for the school year so far,” said Junior/Senior High School Principal Kelly McHugh. “I feel hopeful that we can continue to be a very healthy community.”

 

“We have had some kids that have been sent home sick, but it has not been an unusual amount for this time of year,” said Elementary School Principal David St. Germain. “I think that we are just lucky right now, but we have not seen a big problem like some of the schools around us have.”

 

Junior/Senior High School nurse Leslie Rathbun said that she has been very active in making students understand that they need to be active in maintaining their hygiene.

 

“We are being very vigilant,” said Rathbun. “We have had two flu-like symptoms that have been diagnosed through the health center, but that is it.”

 

Rathbun said if a student enters her office and there is any doubt about their health, then they are taken out.

 

“I look for three things, and if a student has a fever, a headache or stomachache, I send them home right away,” said Rathbun.

 

McHugh said Rathbun’s efforts to advertise the need for hygiene throughout the school have also been beneficial.

 

“They have the hand washing and proper hygiene signs next to every toilet, sink and fountain in the school and they are posted throughout the halls,” said McHugh. “This is a very healthy bunch right now.”

 

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Tags: Absentees, Elementary School Principal, Fever, Flu, Mchugh, Rathbun, School Nurse, School Year, St Germain, Time Of Year, Whitehall