Lessons Learned: September 23, 2009

MESPA Home > Resources for Principal Leadership > H1N1 Influenza Virus > Lessons Learned: dealing with an influenza-like outbreak

Dick Oscarson, principal, Eastview Elementary School, Lakeville

It's day three of the influenza-like outbreak at Eastview. I'm hopeful that we have peaked with our student absences. Yesterday we had 212 students home or sent home with influenza-like symptoms of a fever, cough, muscle aches, and in some cases vomiting and diarrhea. That was about 1/3 of our students. We also had a number of parents keep their healthy children home. Now I'm preparing for our staff to be the next group ill.

Needless to say this was new ground for me. Fred (MESPA's executive director) asked to briefly share what I learned with our membership, as it is likely your schools could experience the influenza virus some time this year.

With Staff: Before the school year began I made sure the clerical and other paraprofessional staff knew how to do each others' jobs, so if we do have a high rate of staff who are absent I will have staff who can do multiple jobs. I also put together a contingency plan to be sure all classrooms are covered if no substitutes are available. And I told staff, if they are ill to stay home. (Sometimes staff need and want permission from their principal to stay home.) When the virus hit I stayed out of the way of the school nurses, but kept in regular contact with them and was available to them at a moment's notice.
With Custodians: I reinforced the need to clean well! This week I had the custodians sanitize all student desks, lavatories, and drinking fountains each evening, as well as wiping down the high traffic surfaces several times a day. This has resulted in not all of the vacuuming and regular maintenance getting done, but that is okay.
With our Students: Our teachers began the first day of school teaching our students to cover their coughs, and wash their hands frequently. We reminded them to stay home if they were ill and to let us know if they didn't feel well during the school day. When the virus struck this week, I made sure the students saw me each day in the lunchroom or at recess. I made myself available to them if they had any questions.
With our Families: I communicated regularly through our electronic listserve, our automated telephone system, and hard copy information. You can see my latest newsletter on our school Web site.
With the Media: I wasn't prepared for the crush of media with this "big" story. I was interviewed by two newspapers, three TV stations, and two radio stations. This was all fine, but if I had to do it over again I would have told them I wouldn't be available during the student day.

In summary, be prepared as much possible with plans to keep your school running as normal as possible.

Train your staff to do jobs outside of their normal work.
Delegate and trust staff to make the best decisions possible. Working as a team is always easier than by yourself.
Reassure families and staff that things will be fine. Everyone looks to a leader during challenging times.
Work and communicate closely with your superintendent.

Hey, those are all the things we principals do each day. So my best advice is: if this influenza hits your school do what you do best, be the leader of your school.

Mission: The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association is dedicated to promoting and improving education for children and youth, strengthening the role as educational leader for elementary and middle level principals, and collaborating with partners in education to assist in achieving these goals.

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