Updated May 5, 2009 2:00PM

Why are we reopening?

The District H1N1 Crisis Team was briefed early this afternoon by Kane County Health Department (KCHD) officials regarding changing information linked to the effects of the H1N1 virus. During that teleconference, which also involved a variety of Kane County School District administrators, KCHD staff shared the fact that nineteen confirmed cases had been identified in the county. In all instances the progression of the H1N1 virus yielded symptoms not unlike typical seasonal flu. Given the number of confirmed cases and the common symptomology that was far less severe than originally anticipated, a recommendation was made by KCHD leadership to allow for the reopening of schools now closed due to H1N1 exposure. KCHD has released their findings and position via a press release which is posted on the Kane County Health Department's website. As a result of these new findings and recommendations from KCHD officials, district administration has decided to re-open Batavia High School on Wednesday, May 6. Rotolo Middle School will re-open on Thursday, May 7 as originally scheduled.

Why is Rotolo Middle School not reopening on Wednesday May 6?

Rotolo Middle School has recently experienced a traumatic event linked to the death of a student unrelated to this emergency. In order to provide the necessary crisis intervention supports to students and staff it will be necessary to delay the re-opening of RMS until Thursday, May 7. This decision is based upon the need to adequately plan to meet the emotional needs of all members of the RMS community. Every effort will be made to meet the needs of students and staff in a difficult circumstance when they return on Thursday, May 7.

How will school activities cancelled due to closings be affected?

Please closely monitor the school websites to locate new information regarding the scheduling of events and activities affected by the closings. School administration will post revised information about such events as soon as they can.

Are absentee guidelines still the same for influenza-like illness?

The KCHD is still recommending that students and staff exhibiting a fever (100 degrees or above) coupled with cough and/or sore throat, should stay home from school for 7 calendar days from the onset of symptoms. If you need to call a student in absent, please specify if the student has influenza-like symptoms. If there is no report of why a child is out sick or what the illness symptoms are, the school will contact parents for the information.  The individual buildings, at the direction of KCHD, are continuing to monitor the number of students exhibiting these symptoms at our schools.

Should we still use the precautionary measures previously noted?

Everyone should be using the precautionary measures previously noted in the FAQs including:

• Washing hands regularly
• Avoiding contact with persons who are sick and in particular if they are coughing
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth unless you have washed your hands
• Using alcohol-based sanitizer; but soap and water is preferred
• Taking children who appear ill with influenza-like symptoms to their physician

Updated May 4, 2009 4:00PM

What if there is another probable case at the end of the week or next week? Will the school be closed again for another week? What will the protocol be?

The district administration will continue to collaborate with Kane County Health Department (KCHD) whenever there is a probable or confirmed case. In making decisions about closing a school the district administration will use recommendations and guidelines published by health officials as they have done over the past week. Any new developments will be broadly communicated in order to provide as much information and notice as is possible.

Was there a confirmed case at RMS or BHS?

At this time the KCHD has confirmed a case at RMS. Information remains pending in terms of a case at BHS. Once information is received it will be shared within the confines of confidentiality protections in the law.

Is the district communicating with parents in terms of criteria used to determine if a sick child can remain in or return to school?

Yes, revised protocols for when children can remain in or return to school have been developed and are being made available to parents. Children having a fever of 100 degrees or more and sore throat and/or cough will be sent home. Students exhibiting these flu like symptoms are to remain home for seven calendar days. These guidelines are based upon district procedures and KCHD guidelines for handling flu like symptoms.

If the building nurse does not send a student home who was sent to the office with symptoms, should the teacher call the parent themself?

No. The building nurse has an updated protocol for screening students with flu like symptoms. If a student seems to become worse, is unable to participate in learning activities or has become disruptive to the classroom enviroment, that new information should be communicated to the nurse for further evaluation. Please do not call a parent or direct the nurse to send a student home. The decision to dismiss a student home will be made in the nurse's office based on existing nursing procedures based upon district procedures and recommendations from health officials.

Update May 2, 2009 3:00PM

Why was a decision made to extend the closing of Rotolo Middle School and Batavia High School?

The district crisis team was briefed by Kane County Health Department (KCHD) on Saturday morning, May 2. At that meeting it was determined that under KCHD and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines the presence of probable influenza cases called for a closure of seven days to aide in disruption of transmission of the H1N1 virus. Acting on those recommendations and health guidelines administration chose to keep RMS and BHS closed.

• RMS is presently scheduled to re-open on Thursday, May 7
• BHS is currently scheduled to re-open on Friday, May 8

The decision to maintain the closure of RMS and BHS was a serious one, and those making it fully understand the impact it has upon both the education of our students and the lives of their families.

Will these days need to be made up?

No—at the present time there is no requirement to make up these days. What about extracurricular activities at those schools? Our procedures remain consistent—all activities at RMS and BHS will be canceled during the time the schools are closed. This includes home and away activities, and no exceptions will be made.

What will happen to Advanced Placement testing scheduled this week?

High school students signed up to take Advanced Placement (AP) exams, originally scheduled for the week of May 4, will be contacted by school administration. The AP exam scheduled for Monday, May 4 will be rescheduled. Details will be provided to the students and their families when available by school administration on May 4.

Will prom be affected?

BHS is scheduled to re-open on Friday, May 8. Prom is scheduled for Saturday, May 9. The closing of BHS during the first four days of the upcoming week has no effect upon prom. Prom is on schedule, and no interruption is contemplated at this time.

If my children are out of school should they go to the movies or other large group activities?

County health officials discourage parents from allowing their children to go to such events because it replicates the close contact that is being preempted by school closings. The primary reason behind school closings in the face of the H1N1 virus is to limit close contact with large groups of children. Please consider this fact when you make plans for your children during a period of school closure and beyond.

Will school nurses closely monitor flu-like symptoms in schools that are open?

Yes, school nursing staff will pay close attention to both the reasons why students are absent and symptoms exhibited by students at school. Students who exhibit flu-like symptoms inclusive of fever will be sent home with directions to remain out of school for seven calendar days. It is recommended by the KCHD this length of time due to the incubation period for this strain of flu.

Why is there so much of an emphasis on school closings and school-aged children?

Health authorities continue to emphasize the fact that many of the known cases of the H1N1 virus involve school-aged children and adolescents. This fact is a primary reason why such an aggressive approach is being used in terms of monitoring absenteeism at school and the closing of schools.

How conservative should I be in terms of keeping my sick child home?

It has been suggested to school staff by the KCHD that parents should adopt a conservative policy of erring on the side of caution if their child exhibits symptoms that can be linked to influenza. At this time it is deemed advisable for parents to keep their children home if they are ill and consult their physicians.

Why is it so important for schools to close under these circumstances?

Remember that the majority of influenza cases in this situation involve school-aged children. Schools provide an enormous potential for close contact. By closing an affected school, close contact is preempted. The school closure process is one means of limiting the spread of influenza.

Is the district also monitoring or canceling any adult events?

Yes—administration, working together with staff leadership, has canceled an all-district staff meeting originally scheduled for the afternoon of May 5. Staff members working at the two schools that have been closed have been directed not to report to work. Other events of this nature are being reviewed by administration with decisions to come in the near future. The welfare of students and staff in the district is the foremost concern of administration as we work through this situation together.

Update May 1, 2009 2:00PM

How cautious should I be about keeping my child home if he/she is sick?

If your child is exhibiting the symptoms that are common with influenza including coughing, fever, runny nose, headache, and sore throat it is recommended by health officials that you keep your child home.

When should my child return to school if he/she has been ill?

Board policy is very clear in terms of return to school after an illness and reads as follows:
7:280-AP1 - Communicable and Chronic Infectious Disease

Children will only be allowed in school if fever free for 24 hours, without medication. They should also be kept home if they are showing signs or symptoms of sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, earache, stomach upsets, rash, persistent cough or reddened, watering, itching eyes during the previous 24 hours.

Students who become ill during the day will be sent tothe health office. The school nurse, district, nurse, or other office personnel will assess the situation and call the parent if necessary. It is extremely important to keep up-to-date phone numbers for home, work, child care providers and emergency numbers. If a child is sent home from school for a fever, he/she will not be allowed to return until fever free for 24 hours without medication.

Parents/guardians should keep school personnel informed of medical conditions or special needs that your child may have. Health information is kept confidential and released on a need-to-know basis only. Parents/guardians should keep all information current.

Are any other school closings being considered?

Administration is waiting for information from KCHD and the CDC regarding updated status for the probable cases that resulted in RMS & BHS being closed. That information should be available to school officials this weekend. The team working with this changing situation and will meet over the weekend to review new information, listen to KCHD advisements, and make decisions based upon new data. If additional or extended school closings occur they will be communicated to the community as rapidly as possible. Please check the district web site for updates.

If there is a confirmed case of Influenza A H1N1 Virus what will happen?

If any of the “probable” cases become “confirmed” by the CDC then school administration and the KCHD will determine what next steps will be taken. At present, health officials are recommending a 7-10 day period of closure in such instances. However no such decision will be made without careful consideration of all factors involved and in consultation with KCHD officials.

Should students from schools that are closed visit other district schools?

No-since schools are closing to prevent the spread of infection such visits are not acceptable.

Updated April 30, 2009 3:00PM

Should BHS or RMS students visit other schools?

No. All BHS and RMS students need to stay off school district grounds until Monday, May 4

Why was Batavia High School closed?

On the afternoon of April 30, 2009 information from the Kane County Health Department was provided to school administration indicating that a BHS student was identified as having a “probable” case of Influenza A H1N1 Virus. Because of this fact Health Department (KCHD) representatives recommended the closing of BHS for Friday May 1.

Will all BHS activities be canceled?

Yes, all school and extracurricular activities are canceled until the school re-opens on Monday, May 4. This closure includes home and away contests and extracurricular events, athletic practices, and all other activities. Effective at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30 no community usage of BHS building or grounds will be permitted until it re-opens.

Do you anticipate further closings?

The process of closing schools is based upon three criteria provided to the district by the KCHD. These criteria are:

1. A “probable” case in the school
2. A change in the rate of absenteeism
3. The clustering of cases in the school

Using these criteria it was determined that BHS and RMS had to close. These criteria, in conjunction with the recommendations of the KCHD will be used to determine future school closings.

Is it possible that the entire school district would close?

While the facts do not yet support the need to close all district facilities, we are in constant communication with the KCHD and would consider taking such action based on their recommendation.

Updated April 30, 2009 11:00AM

Why was RMS Closed?

Rotolo was closed after information was provided to district administration via the KCHD that a student at that school had a “probable” case of Influenza A H1N1 Virus. At that time health officials advised the district that their recommendation was that the school should be closed until the sample could be analyzed by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to confirm that it was indeed Influenza A H1N1 Virus. That process will be completed on Friday, May 1. Based on these recommendations from County health professionals RMS was closed for two days. Once district administration receives updated information from KCHD representatives regarding the CDC findings additional steps will be taken.

Was the closing of RMS an overreaction to media coverage of the Influenza A H1N1 Virus?

No—the first priority of the district administrative staff is the safety of our students, faculty and community. We are following the recommendations of the Kane County Health Department (KCHD) to ensure the safety of everyone during this situation. In conjunction with the KCHD, the decision to close the school was deemed to be prudent.

Will RMS Students have to make up the days missed?

No. Single school closure days do not need to be made up.

Does RMS Staff have to report to school?

No! The KCHD has recommended against Rotolo Middle School employees and students from “gathering.” The purpose of closing RMS is to disrupt the disease transmission. Students and faculty are not to report to school until Monday, May 4, 2009.

What role has the Kane County Health Department played in decision making?

The KCHD is a vital connecting point between local physicians, district nursing staff, the State of Illinois Health Department, and the CDC. District administration will continue to work closely with these health officials and will follow their recommendations. District administration will rely upon the expertise of these health professionals in regards to how to respond to a changing situation.

What is the difference between a probable and confirmed case?

The terms “probable” and “confirmed” case are ones used by health care officials. Once a sample has been provided to the KCHD and adjudged to be Type A influenza it is then forwarded to the State of Illinois Health Department to determine if it is one of a series of “non-human” influenza strains. If those State level assessments determine that it is a Type A, non-human strain of influenza it is deemed a “probable” case of Influenza A H1N1 Virus. That sample, in turn, is dispatched to the CDC for analysis. The CDC then determines that the case is a “confirmed” one and communicates that back to the KCHD. Once a case has been confirmed a determination is then made as to what additional measures need to be taken by local officials inclusive of school administration. If, for example, the RMS case moved from “probable” to “confirmed” additional decisions will have to be made based upon the advisement of health officials and school administration working in unison.

Is it safe for students to attend schools other than RMS?

Barring any other probable cases we are advised that attending school, and following normal life activities, is reasonable. If new cases arise, the administration and County health officials will work together to make reasonable determinations in terms of future actions and communicate those to the community at large as swiftly as possible. This is a changing situation and communication linked to informed action is essential. School administration will share all available information as soon as possible if changes occur in this situation.

Should I keep my child home from school?

While school district employees cannot tell you whether or not to send your child to school it is important to realize that any school closings or related decisions will be made in short order and based upon the best advisements available from health care professionals. The decision to send your child to school is a personal one but barring new information school officials have been advised that attending schools where no Influenza A H1N1 Virus cases have been identified is reasonable. If you choose to keep your child home from school please inform the school staff that you are doing so as a precaution. This information is essential as one factor the KCHD uses in its advisements to school officials is a spike in absenteeism. If we see a decrease in attendance at a school and are unable to determine the reasons why children are absent it will skew the attendance data and could lead to a faulty basis for decision making.

Will there be other closings?

At this point no other school closings are in effect or planned. As new information comes to the district from the KCHD in terms of additional probable cases, the situation will be reviewed and decisions made in accordance with the processes used to close RMS. Please visit the district web page for updates as they will be provided as expeditiously as possible. That link is http://www.bps101.net

How will information be communicated to the public?

A variety of communication channels will be used to update the public. The district web page is a primary source of information. The use of the district Messenger, email system will also be used in situations when rapid fire communication is necessary. Press releases to local media will be provided as needed. Individual questions directed to school administration will be addressed. This FAQ page will grow as new issues and questions surface.

Are other community agencies involved?

Yes, the district is collaborating with a number of community agencies. The following agencies and their representatives have participated in conference calls BPS held with the Kane KCHD within the last 24 hours:Batavia Mayor Schielke; Bill McGrath, City of Batavia; Doug Johnson, Regional Superintendent of Kane County Schools; George Scheetz, Batavia Public Library; Mike Clark, Batavia Park District; and Ron Link, BPS Board President.

Are we asking custodial staff to use “deep cleaning” practices?

BPS custodial staff will be cleaning schools using appropriate cleaning and disinfecting supplies. According to the Kane County Health Dept., the infection lives on surfaces for up to 2 hours. BPS will take steps to ensure the thorough cleaning of all BPS schools.

How will food service be affected by these events?

Usually Sodexho, the BPS food service company, prepares food for the schools throughout the district. However, food for the district will not be prepared at Rotolo Middle School for the next two days. Sodexo will be using kitchen resources at Geneva High School to prepare our elementary lunches.

How can I find out more about this type of influenza?

The Kane County Health Dept. and the Center for Disease Control has detailed information on their website regarding Influenza A H1N1 Virus, its causes, and prevention techniques. Please visit these websites for more information:http://www.cdc.gov/ andhttp://www.kanehealth.com/

What preventive measures can I take?

Local and national health authorities have provided basic prevention suggestions which will be relayed to students by staff. These recommendations include: Wash hands regularly

1. Avoid contact with persons who are sick and in particular if they are coughing
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth unless you have washed your hands
3. Alcohol-based sanitizer can be used but soap and water is preferred
4. Children who appear ill may need to be seen by their physician

What are the symptoms of influenza?

Fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea are some of the symptoms of influenza.

What should I do if my child exhibits any of these symptoms?

Taken from http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm If you or your child live in areas where Influenza A H1N1 Virus cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you or your child are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you or your child become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

Have an unanswered question?

See our online form to submit questions.