Swine flu cancels school attendance programs

The prospect of a swine flu pandemic hitting New Brunswick schools this year has forced many administrators to cancel popular programs that awarded students for good attendance.

Kennebecasis Valley High School is the latest school to drop its "attendance incentive exemption" that allowed students who missed fewer than four classes per semester to pick an exam that they didn't have to write.

That initiative is being cancelled as public health officials are warning anyone who is feeling sick to stay home from school or work as the province prepares for the swine flu.

"This whole flu thing going on, I guess it's pretty serious," said Bob Munro, the principal of Kennebecasis High School.

Dr. Eilish Clearly, the province's chief medical officer of health, said Thursday that swine flu will hit New Brunswick earlier than originally expected. An estimated 30 per cent of New Brunswickers will get swine flu, said Cleary, but most will likely have only a mild case.

Initiative may have worked too well

Hampton High School also suspended the initiative and other southern New Brunswick high schools, such as Saint John High School and Simonds High School, are also examining whether they will continue with the program.

Munro admits the initiative may have worked too well. He said 50 to 60 per cent of his students regularly qualified.

"The common drawback and the common complaint, which was accurate, is that students came to school, sometimes not feeling well, and ill," he said.

Kennebecasis Valley High School students predict attendance will drop, but most seem to understand the reasoning behind the decision.

The school will review its decision after the Christmas break.