Swine flu is on the mind of school superintendent

JACKSON — School administrators in Jackson have joined forces with several health agencies in an attempt to combat the spread of H1N1 influenza (also known as swine flu).

The topic was discussed at the July 21 meeting of the Jackson Board of Education.

Superintendent of Schools Thomas Gialanella said, "Because we did have a number of issues with H1N1 at the end of the school year when one of our young students passed away, there is nothing more important than the health of our students and staff. We have been working closely with the Ocean County Health Department, which has kept us informed, and we have informed that agency as to what has been going on in our schools."

The student Gialanella referred to was a boy who completed the first grade at the Holman School in June and died on June 27 from the swine flu. County health officials said the child had underlying health issues, but did not provide more specific information.

In his report to the board, Gialanella said there were two confirmed cases of swine flu at the Goetz Middle School, one confirmed case of swine flu at the Holman School, and one confirmed case of swine flu in a school-age child at an undisclosed school, but one which is not part of the Jackson School District.

He said administrators followed advice provided by the Ocean County Health Department, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the superintendent, members of the public were notified about preventive procedures they could take during the summer months through the school district's Internet website and in letters to parents.

"During the school year we tried to keep people informed with accurate information without becoming too hysterical about it," Gialanella said. "This is a serious situation that should be explained to everybody. We were in conference many times each day with the health departments, trying to give our community the most accurate information we could."

The superintendent said representatives of the Jackson School District attended a meeting to prepare for the upcoming school year.

Gialanella said representatives of the Ocean County Health Department — at the meeting that was attended by officials from several school districts — noted that the Jackson staff did an exemplary job of informing the public and handling the situation. He said the health department representatives suggested that the other school officials should speak with Jackson administrators to find out how they handled the situation.

"We gave out appropriate, timely and accurate information," the superintendent said. "We are preparing for what may happen if we have another wave of H1N1 influenza."

Gialanella said the school district should be prepared, and not hysterical, in case this particular strain of flu returns during the 2009-10 school year. Most important, he told the board, administrators have to distribute accurate information and do a good job of keeping the schools clean.