Staff at a Charlevoix school closed their doors early Monday morning when they realized the majority of their students were out sick.
By Melissa Smith
Monday, October 26, 2009 at 7:02 p.m.
Read more: Local, Business, Community, Education, Health
CHARLEVOIX -- Staff at Northwest Academy in Charlevoix decided to close school Monday and for the remainder of the week after realizing the majority of students were out sick.
"I think it's a fantastic idea. I"m pretty proud that the schools are reacting this way and addressing this problem," says parent John Szczepanski.
Szcepanski was among several parents called to come and pick up their children from the academy after staff decided to temporally shutdown. He says his dad will be watching his two sons for the rest of the week.
"He's retired so they'll get to go have a fun time there...We're fortunate. It's got to be difficult for a lot of people especially considering daycares are probably filled up now," says Szcezepanski.
It's this exact issue that many parents are facing in the workforce...trying to figure out who takes care of their children now that most schools are closed because of the flu.
"Are you guys getting calls from parents calling in sick because they're kids are home?" asks 7&4 News.
"Oh yes, we had a parent just today as a matter of fact because her child was sick and couldn't go to daycare. And I'm covering that position today. So we have some flexibility and it's definitely affected us," says administrative assistant with Corporate Title Agency in Charlevoix, Celeste Chanda
Chanda is also also a parent of two students in Charlevoix Public Schools. She says over the past week some of the employees have called in sick because they need to stay home with their children.
"It's a challenge but we have our staffing worked out so there's always somebody who can cover...We do try to stress that if you're not well go home," says Chanda.
Despite the challenges that it might bring into the workforce, parents say closing schools because of the flu is worth all for the well being of their children.
"I think some people think there's an over reaction to the swine flu...I don't think it is an over reaction. It's our children so it's important," says Szcezepanski.
