NEWSPAPER.COM
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013
NEWS
31st Annual
Flu bug hits hard in some Surrey classrooms Now staff Twitter @questionchris
With flu season well underway, two Surrey schools have already been hit hard by the bug with both having classrooms with almost half of students staying home as a result. The 50 per cent absenteeism rate, said Surrey school district spokesperson Doug Strachan, is currently affecting two elementary schools where illness seems to have struck midway in peak flu season. “Other than that, we have three other schools with classrooms with a greater than 10 per cent absenteeism as a result of illness,” said Strachan. When asked if this was something unusual for Surrey schools, Strachan said there’s always an expectation that bugs will hit schools at this time of year; however, having so many students falling ill in any one classroom is not par for the course. “Having half the class away is unusual,” he said. “But overall, in the district, we’re well within our expected absenteeism rates for this time of year. When we get to flu season we know the absenteeism rates are going to go up.” Strachan also noted that it was district policy to report all incidents of more than 10 per cent absenteeism to the district’s
health and safety team. “We track those and see if there are trends and to send in extra cleaning resources,” said Strachan. “Desktops, doorknobs, rails, keyboards, those Doug Strachan things are wiped down more and more thoroughly in schools with such high absenteeism.” Finally, as we go through flu season, Strachan would just like to remind parents and students to err on the side of caution when it comes to tackling sickness. “The main thing is parents keep their children at home when they’re ill, even for two to three days after the last of their symptoms because they can be contagious for a short period after that,” said Strachan. Last week, the Fraser Health Authority took an extra step in an attempt to reduce the spread of influenza by declaring the virus a health hazard. On Jan. 15, the health authority’s chief medical officer, Dr. Paul Van Buynder, declared the current level of influenza virus circulating within Fraser Health communities a health hazard under the provisions of the Public Health Act.
Envision Jazz Festival
February 8-10, 2013 The Bell Performing Arts Centre 6250 144 Street, Surrey, BC INDIVIDUAL TICKETS $15/adult or $10/student FESTIVAL PASS (good for all 3 nights) $30/adult or $20 student
Thursday, February 7, 7 pm Jesse Cahill’s Night Crawlers
Friday, February 8, 7 pm JUMP!
Saturday, February 9, 7 pm Brad Turner and the A Band and Festival Adjudicators Each evening will also feature outstanding student performances.
PRESENTING SPONSORS
To purchase tickets, call 604-507-6355 or visit bellperformingartscentre.com
P LG AO T ILNDUSMP OSNP SOONRSSO R
MEDIA SPONSORS Sponsored by
An event of
• Winner’s Circle Trophies • 5 Star Staging & Lighting Productions • Affinity Tours • Signs Now • Sage Team & Corporate Wear • Tapestry Music • Konica Minolta
Help us feed hungry students in Surrey by making a cash donation to the Surrey School District Meal Program at any evening performance
For more information visit envisionjazzfestival.sd36.bc.ca
012213
Education
Christopher Poon
A07
With files from Jessica Kerr
122412
THE