Beckendorff Junior High School will be closed all next week. The district says a sixth grader has a highly probable case of swine flu. Parents says while they are nervous swine flu has hit their district, they are relieved the district has taken these measures. "I think they need to do this," said Mark McKellar, whose daughter is a seventh grader at Beckendorff. "I'm glad that they're taking the precautions that need to be taken for the kids," said Jennifer Garcia who has a seventh grader at the school.
Students say they found out about this suspected case of swine flu at the end of classes Friday. "I was nervous they kept us ten minutes after the bell," said Crystal Garcia. "They told us they had an urgent message they had to get out so we had to wait everybody was worried," she said.
According to a release from Katy ISD, the district has been in contact with the family of this sixth grader and says she has responded to treatment and is no longer exhibiting symptoms. "If it's here, what's going to happen around here, it's pretty scary," said Jennifer Garcia.
With Griffin Elementary School just a stone's throw away, some question if it will be next. "I really hope it's not because we still have so much more to learn," said an 11 year old student.
Though some wonder if closing all these schools is really necessary. "I think world wide it's a little exaggerated, the numbers - percentage wise are still very very small," said Lon Carlisle
In fact infectious disease specialist, Doctor Edward Rensimer likens it to medical panic, saying so far there hasn't been any indication, at this point, to think swine flu is anything more than just another flu virus. "I don't think doing big public health policies like closing down schools makes sense, it doesn't at this point in time - it doesn't," he said.
Necessary or not, some students say they are just really looking forward to having some extra vacation days. "I was kind of worried because I didn't want to get it, but I'm happy we don't have school," said Lauren McKellar.
While the students are out of school Dr. Rensimer says they should still maintain good hygiene like washing hands and avoiding contact with those who are sick. It is also recommended that students stay home while they are out of school as an extra precaution.
Students say they found out about this suspected case of swine flu at the end of classes Friday. "I was nervous they kept us ten minutes after the bell," said Crystal Garcia. "They told us they had an urgent message they had to get out so we had to wait everybody was worried," she said.
According to a release from Katy ISD, the district has been in contact with the family of this sixth grader and says she has responded to treatment and is no longer exhibiting symptoms. "If it's here, what's going to happen around here, it's pretty scary," said Jennifer Garcia.
With Griffin Elementary School just a stone's throw away, some question if it will be next. "I really hope it's not because we still have so much more to learn," said an 11 year old student.
Though some wonder if closing all these schools is really necessary. "I think world wide it's a little exaggerated, the numbers - percentage wise are still very very small," said Lon Carlisle
In fact infectious disease specialist, Doctor Edward Rensimer likens it to medical panic, saying so far there hasn't been any indication, at this point, to think swine flu is anything more than just another flu virus. "I don't think doing big public health policies like closing down schools makes sense, it doesn't at this point in time - it doesn't," he said.
Necessary or not, some students say they are just really looking forward to having some extra vacation days. "I was kind of worried because I didn't want to get it, but I'm happy we don't have school," said Lauren McKellar.
While the students are out of school Dr. Rensimer says they should still maintain good hygiene like washing hands and avoiding contact with those who are sick. It is also recommended that students stay home while they are out of school as an extra precaution.
