Oxford Elementary School reopened for a few hours Monday, but students were sent home at noon and the school will remain closed the rest of the week because of a continued 30 percent absentee rate and fears of spreading the H1N1 flu virus.

"We had at least two teachers out in the building, and the head cook has been sick. We sent a number of kids home today with fevers, so as a result there's only a short week, and hopefully everyone will return healthy on Monday," said Roger Schmidt, Westfield School District administrator.

The school was closed last Wednesday for the same reasons, and re-opened Monday only for a few hours before officials closed it again.

Schmidt said they were re-evaluating the illness rate Monday, as they have done every day at all schools since spring.

School begins at 8 a.m. for Oxford Elementary School, which teaches about 115 students from kindergarten to sixth grade.

"When it gets around that 30 percent mark, a smaller school has a bigger impact," Schmidt said.

Oxford/Coloma Elementary School Principal Jennifer Johnson contacted parents through e-mail, Schmidt said, and the closing was announced on radio and television stations as it is done with weather situations.

There are six schools in the Westfield School District, but they have had relatively low absentee rates, Schmidt said.

Scott Peterson, director of transportation for the Westfield School District, was contacted by Schmidt at 9:30 a.m., so he had to get buses ready to take children home.

"I have one child that goes to Oxford, and (my son) Daniel had three of them (other students) left in the class last week when they closed it down. There are usually eight or nine kids including him," Peterson said.

Keith Wohlfert, Westfield School Board president, said he was contacted by Schmidt at 11 a.m. Monday to let him know about the extension of the school closure. There are teacher conferences Thursday and Friday, so all students had off those two days anyway, Wohlfert said.

The absentee rate at Oxford Elementary School might have been higher than 30 percent Monday, said Nathan Luedke, the Marquette County health officer, so the closure will give students and staff ample time to get over the illness.

The school-based H1N1 clinics are on hold for now, as there has been a nationwide shortage of the vaccination.

"Pandemics are not a common thing, so taking extra precautions this year is encouraged," Luedke said.

Parents are encouraged to keep ill children home to reduce exposure. Ill children should remain home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. H1N1 symptoms include coughing or sore throat with fever.

The H1N1 outbreak at the elementary school does make him a little nervous, Wohlfert said.

"You wonder what will happen, but what can you do about it?" Wohlfert said.

In addition to keeping ill children at home, the school district and the Marquette County Health Department discourage sleepovers and parties.

"Halloween is going to be difficult," Schmidt said.

For more information about precautions and the H1N1 virus, visit www.pandemic.wisconsin.gov.

What you can do

The Marquette County Health Department offers the follow ways to protect yourself and those around you from getting the flu:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hands cleaners also are effective.

• Stay away from people who are sick.

• Cover your nose and mouth with coughing or sneezing.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, the pathway for viruses.

• Eat nutritious meals and get plenty of rest.

For additional information on H1N1, contact the county health department at (608) 297-3135 or go to www.pandemic.wisconsin.gov.

jmccoy@capitalnewspapers.com

745-3519