The H1N1 virus is spreading rapidly across the country.  According to the CDC, flu activity is already higher than what is seen during the peak of many regular flu seasons and almost all of the flu viruses identified this season so far are 2009 H1N1. 

People are scrambling to combat the virus. Businesses around the country are making hand sanitizers available to encourage people to clean their hands often, and then there are the famous H1N1 vaccines, which, believe or not, are still hard to find…

And schools?  How are they managing all this?  So far, they seem to be coping well.  They are promoting hygiene practices and following CDC guidelines to keep sick students at home; some schools have been able to vaccinate their children, and, whenever deemed necessary, certain schools close to keep the virus from spreading uncontrollably.  However, when a school closes, there is actually more reason to worry.  Why?  Because it affects the school’s budget and students’ learning.  One way to fix that is by establishing guidelines for the continuation of learning. 

BoardBuzz recently learned that the international media company Pearson launched a website that can help schools through that process.  Pearson is collaborating with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s office to ensure that children continue to learn when school attendance is not an option due to the H1N1 virus or another emergency situation. The website includes solutions for teachers, students, and parents such as communication and collaboration tools. It also has links to useful planning resources and other helpful information. 

BoardBuzz knows, however, that not all schools and/or students will have access to technologies that promote an online continuity of learning.  So let’s hope that the nation will soon be able to curb the spread of this virus and that all students will be able to have a healthy and productive school year.  And, in case you need more information on how to plan for and manage a flu outbreak within schools, don’t forget to check out NSBA’s H1N1 Planning for Schools webpage.