Some school districts across the Eastern Upper Peninsula have experienced high numbers of absences in past weeks, sparking a decision by school administrators to close schools and let sick students recover at home. Rudyard Area Schools were closed this Tuesday and Wednesday, with plans at press time to reopen Thursday, October 29. Schools in Cedarville and Engadine were briefly closed for illness, but have resumed, while schools are open with normal absentee rates reported in St. Ignace, Mackinaw City, Gros Cap, DeTour, Mackinac Island, and Pickford.

Les Cheneaux Community Schools in Cedarville closed Monday, October 26, as a preventive measure since last Thursday's absence rate was 9% and Friday's spiked to 24%. School officials reported that while students remained at home Monday, custodians went through the building disinfect- ing all surfaces, including desks, doorknobs, handrails, and keyboards.

"It seems to be all hitting in one wave," said District Superintendent Amy Scott of the illness. "The point is to give kids three days of rest to get better."

Engadine Consolidated Schools closed its doors Thursday, October 22, and Friday, October 23, but reopened Monday, October 26. School administrators said the district is monitoring attendance very closely and would be prepared to shut down the school again if attendance dipped too low.

But how low is too low? According to Health Officer David Martin from Chippewa County Community Health Department, each district needs to make its own call on school shutdowns.

"There is no hard and fast rule of thumb," Mr. Martin said.

St. Ignace Superintendent Mike Springsteen said schools tend to cancel classes at 75% attendance or below, because they begin losing state aid at that point.

"There is no magic number for boards to close schools," Mr. Springsteen said. He added that a major concern for St. Ignace, in addition to safety and funding, would be how effectively lessons are being taught. For instance, if half of the students in a class are absent, the teacher would need to re-teach the lessons when sick children return.

Mr. Springsteen reported that St. Ignace attendance levels are at a normal rate, with 94% attendance over the past weeks, which he said is a typical number.

Mackinaw City Public Schools, Gros Cap School in Moran Township, DeTour Area Schools, and Pickford Public Schools all reported normal attendance numbers and have not yet had a high rate of absences necessary to close the schools.

DeTour Public School officials reported that if attendance dropped below 75%, the district would close its doors, as did Pickford School officials. Pickford Schools Superintendent Keith Krahnke said if absences suddenly spiked, he would seek advice from the health department about the best course of action.

"Absentee rates have been pretty normal for now," Mr. Krahnke said. "Obviously, we are taking precautions. We are encouraging students and staff to be mindful about ways to minimize the spread. We're keeping our fingers crossed."

Preventive Measures

Source: Centers for Disease Control, Mackinac Straits Hospital

Cover your nose and mouth with tissue when coughing or sneezing, and throw used tissue away.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

Avoid touching the eyes, nose, or mouth, and try to avoid close contact with sick people.

If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

If going to the hospital with flu symptoms, wear masks available in the main waiting area.

Treating the Flu

Source: Centers for Disease Control, Mackinac Straits Hospital

Treatment for H1N1, or Swine Flu, is similar to treatment to other strains of influenza, and anyone with flu-like symptoms should:

Drink plenty of fluids.

Avoid contact with other people except to seek medical care.

Wash your hands to avoid spreading flu to others.

Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe.

Stay out of contact with others until 24 hours after symptoms subside without medication. Fever should be absent for 24 hours, even without medication.

What Are Flu Symptoms?

Source: Centers for Disease
Control, Mackinac Straits Hospital
The symptoms of H1N1 and
other kinds of flu are:
Coughing
Headache
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Chills
Fatigue
Fever (some patients do not
experience a fever)
Body aches
Some patients experience
vomiting and diarrhea