Braintree
Seasonal flu vaccinations for secondary school students are under
way, while swine flu vaccinations are expected to take place next
month.
Superintendent of Schools Peter Kurzberg said the school system
has not seen the extremely high absentee rates found in other school
systems. He said the system-wide absentee rate has been about 7
percent, although individual schools were higher or lower. About a
third of the absences were flu-related, the superintendent said.
He doesn't anticipate closing the schools in the event of a
widespread flu outbreak.
"Unless the numbers are so high for teachers and students it
isn't feasible to run schools," Kurzberg told the school committee
Monday night.
Seasonal flu vaccinations for middle school students have taken
place, and high school students will get the vaccine next week,
Kurzberg said.
School and town officials are still waiting for the H1N1 vaccine
before scheduling those vaccinations. Permission slips have been
distributed, and the deadline for returning them is Friday, Kurzberg
said.
The vaccines aren't being offered to elementary school students.
"Our feeling is those are best handled by pediatricians," Kurzberg
said.
Mayor Joseph Sullivan said he and Marybeth McGrath, the director
of municipal licenses and inspections, have been meeting weekly with
school officials to review flu prevention efforts.
School committee member Shannon Hume said parents have been doing
their part by keeping sick children home until after their symptoms
disappeared.
Kurzberg said hand sanitizer is available in all classrooms and
school offices.
In other business Monday night, the school committee:
Approved a school calendar for the 2010-11 school year. Classes
will begin for students in grades 1-9 on Sept. 1, Grades 10-12 on
Sept. 2, and for kindergarten students on Sept. 9 It includes the
traditional vacation weeks in December, February and April. The
final day of school would fall between June 14 and 21, depending on
the number of cancellation days.
Approved spending $90,000 from the Hollis Trust Fund. The money
will be used to fund sports and extracurricular programs.
Kurzberg announced 93 Braintree High School students qualified
for John and Abigail Adams Scholarships, which are for free tuition
to state colleges.
Accepted a $2,500 donation from Quincy Credit Union.
Fred Hanson may be reached at fhanson@ledger.com.
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