School News

Flu outbreak reported at Lee Road School

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Students absences have spiked this week at Lee Road Elementary School in North Wantagh, a result of several students coming down with the flu.

Lee Road is one of six elementary schools in the Levittown School District, and has an enrollment of about 325 students. The outbreak began last week, when six students were out with the flu on Dec. 10, and the number grew to 41 by Dec. 15. Flu-related absences dropped to 39 on Dec. 16, and to 26 on Wednesday. All cases were reported by parents, and not necessarily confirmed by health care providers.

Total student absences peaked at 117 — more than one-third of the school — on Dec. 15 as many parents were keeping their children home as a precaution.

The absences were spread across all six grades. Attendance rates were normal at Jonas Salk Middle School and MacArthur High School, where older siblings of Lee Road students would likely attend.

School district officials have been in consultation with representatives from the Nassau County Health Department. Superintendent Dr. Tonie McDonald said parents are urged to bring their children to a doctor if they exhibit a fever or respiratory symptoms, and notify the doctor if it was possible the child was exposed to the flu.

"The health and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority," McDonald said. "The district is also asking parents to remind their children about the importance of personal hygiene including frequent hand washing, avoid sharing personal items and covering coughs and sneezes, which is something that is continually stressed in school throughout the day."

McDonald added that the school's custodial staff will continue to ensure that all touched surfaces are thoroughly cleaned.