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Buffalo, NY:

Area schools make plans to cope with flu-caused closings

By Peter Simon
News Staff Reporter
Updated: October 12, 2009, 11:35 PM
http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/826095.html

If all goes well, the impact of swine flu will be mild, and schools will operate normally.

But school officials can’t count on that.

Instead, they are confronting the possibility that schools will have to be closed or that widespread absenteeism among students and teachers will disrupt instruction.

Contingency plans include offering study packets and course work over the Internet, cutting back on winter and spring break to make up for lost days, expanding opportunities for students to make up for lost class time and seeking assistance from radio, television and newspapers.

“This really is a moving target,” said Williamsville Superintendent Howard S. Smith. “We’re planning for something we don’t know. What we’ve tried to do is be open and proactive.”