|
|
|
The state’s supply of H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines took a hit last week, but Capital School District said it is still on track to administer voluntary H1N1 vaccines, hopefully starting in November. That was some of the news at the district’s Oct. 21 school board meeting.
Students had to turn in permission forms for voluntary vaccination by Oct. 23. Out of the 6,250 forms sent out, one to each student, 1,882 forms requesting the vaccine were returned. Lynn Widdowson, supervisor of student support services, said although 1,882 said they would like to receive it, not all will end up getting the vaccine at school because due to medical or other issues, they may be required to get the vaccine through a physician.
Widdowson said the Division of Public Health asked schools to participate, and that the information about vaccinations came to schools very quickly after that notice. Letters of consent from parents had to be returned by Oct. 23, and the first clinics are set to begin Nov. 2. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade will have nasal spray vaccinations, and those in sixth through twelfth grades will have injections.
Board member Kiran Clements asked whether or not the district would be able to get enough vaccinations to go around, and whether or not it would be too late once the medication came in. But Widdowson seemed confident.
“At least in our area, they’re planning to be able to do this in November,” she said.
The Department of Public Health did release a health alert Oct. 21 that the state’s demand for H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines increased while supply decreased. However, the department also stated that the quantity of vaccines will increase in coming weeks, and by early November H1N1 vaccines should be more widely available. That includes school clinics, such as the ones at Capital.
The arrival of vaccines has been delayed, but this is not a reduction in the state’s allotment.
In Other News ...
Central Middle School principal Dr. Darren Guido presented the school’s improvement plan to the board. The school is rated as being under academic progress, so the board needs to approve a plan for its improvement.
Goals for the 2009 – 2010 year are to increase critical thinking and effective communication, Guido said. Although students’ scores have improved, they still are falling short of the state’s requirements.
Guido said the school also has formed a parent involvement committee, and hopes that open houses and monthly family nights will draw in the community and parents.
“They may not able to get to the school during the school day, but if they can check the children’s homework, I’m happy with that,” Guido said.
Email Sarika Jagtiani at sarika.jagtiani@doverpost.com.
The state’s supply of H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines took a hit last week, but Capital School District said it is still on track to administer voluntary H1N1 vaccines, hopefully starting in November. That was some of the news at the district’s Oct. 21 school board meeting.
Students had to turn in permission forms for voluntary vaccination by Oct. 23. Out of the 6,250 forms sent out, one to each student, 1,882 forms requesting the vaccine were returned. Lynn Widdowson, supervisor of student support services, said although 1,882 said they would like to receive it, not all will end up getting the vaccine at school because due to medical or other issues, they may be required to get the vaccine through a physician.
Widdowson said the Division of Public Health asked schools to participate, and that the information about vaccinations came to schools very quickly after that notice. Letters of consent from parents had to be returned by Oct. 23, and the first clinics are set to begin Nov. 2. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade will have nasal spray vaccinations, and those in sixth through twelfth grades will have injections.
Board member Kiran Clements asked whether or not the district would be able to get enough vaccinations to go around, and whether or not it would be too late once the medication came in. But Widdowson seemed confident.
“At least in our area, they’re planning to be able to do this in November,” she said.
The Department of Public Health did release a health alert Oct. 21 that the state’s demand for H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines increased while supply decreased. However, the department also stated that the quantity of vaccines will increase in coming weeks, and by early November H1N1 vaccines should be more widely available. That includes school clinics, such as the ones at Capital.
The arrival of vaccines has been delayed, but this is not a reduction in the state’s allotment.
In Other News ...
Central Middle School principal Dr. Darren Guido presented the school’s improvement plan to the board. The school is rated as being under academic progress, so the board needs to approve a plan for its improvement.
Goals for the 2009 – 2010 year are to increase critical thinking and effective communication, Guido said. Although students’ scores have improved, they still are falling short of the state’s requirements.
Guido said the school also has formed a parent involvement committee, and hopes that open houses and monthly family nights will draw in the community and parents.
“They may not able to get to the school during the school day, but if they can check the children’s homework, I’m happy with that,” Guido said.
Email Sarika Jagtiani at sarika.jagtiani@doverpost.com.
