Schools Plan for Possible H1N1 Cases

By Melissa Maynarich, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Some students have already headed back to school this week, while many others will be back in class next week.

And schools all across the state are taking measures to prevent the spreading of the H1N1 flu.

The Oklahoma City Public School District is already preparing for an outbreak.

Oklahoma City Public Schools influenza contingency plan includes a four level approach. Right now they are in level one. The district's first step is prevention.

"We executed the beginning of this plan in the spring," Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Karl Springer said. "We've been working closely with the Health Department, county and city health departments. We feel confident that we're going to be fine."

To prevent an outbreak, children are urged to stay clean. Teachers are requiring frequent hand washing inside the classroom. Sanitizers will be available, too.

And if a student does get sick, they shouldn't be at school.

"We want to encourage all of our parents to be sure to get their children a flu shot," District Health Services' Debbie Johnson said. "Prevention is the only way we can avoid any problems with the H1N1."

The flu vaccine will be available to students at schools including the H1N1 shot once it's distributed this fall.

And the remaining levels of the contingency plan address school closings. Each principal will determine if their school should be shut down. If several schools are infected, its possible administrators will partially close the district.

"We would not shut the whole school district down," Springer said. "We believe there are all sorts of functions we need to continue to operate."

If a school closes -- all missed days will be added to the end of the school year unless the Legislature and the State Department of Education determine otherwise.

Oklahoma City Public Schools start class on August 20; next Thursday.