Community Notice: Darien Public Schools H1N1 Update

We continue to note a decline of the rate of absenteeism and of flu-like symptoms among students at various schools, and the school district is returning to almost normal rates of absence for this time of the year. If this good fortune holds, we will not need to continue providing weekly updates.

As we have stated earlier, it appears that staff and students stayed home when sick during our recent period of elevated absenteeism, and this has been a real help to limit transmission. Thanks to all for their cooperation.

For general information, here are the rates for the other schools reported as of
Nov. 17:

• Darien High School: 3%
• Middlesex Middle School: 4.6%
• Hindley Elementary School: 4.7%
• Holmes Elementary School: 3.3%
• Royle Elementary School: 7.2%
• Ox Ridge Elementary School: 2.5% 
• Tokeneke: 2.5%

Our rates have not been excessively high recently, overall, and it must be noted that students are absent for reasons other than flu, so our current rates look good. It will interesting to see if we experience any increase of flu rates after extended family gatherings for Thanksgiving.

We want to thank our PTO’s for generously supplementing our schools with hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. This has made for a real “team” effort between home and school to do what we reasonably can to limit transmission of virus.

The subject of vaccine availability has become rather quiet at the federal level, as most are aware. We have no idea, at this point of when large quantities of vaccine may become available for distribution within the broader, general population. However, once we are informed that the vaccine is due to arrive, we will mobilize our approach to conduct school vaccination clinics with the Darien Health Department. Our advance planning is done. But we have no idea of the timetable, so the final details cannot yet be worked out.

With all of the above said, it’s very appropriate to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving break.

For additional information about the H1N1 Flu from the State of Connecticut, visit the CT Flu Watch website.

Darien Public Schools
203-656-7400