Schools and illness

**Charles** · 15th January 2012, 11:39

I read an article this morning on schools and how kids are more prone to be sick, for longer lengths of time and sometimes crippling. It caused me to reflect on when my child was in a public school and how it effected his health. His first year in school went well for the first 3 months, and by December he had the flu. For the next two weeks it was trips to the doctor, and cool showers to keep his fevers under control. During that time this flu bug was passed on to me and landed me in a bed for 60 days. His second year in school was a repeat of the first, flu by December and passed on to me yet again. Third year same thing. His fourth year was when we decided to pull him out of the public school system and begin home schooling. December rolled around and we were all healthy! No flu, no colds, no nothing. His mother and I were talking about this a few nights ago, and it was her that commented on his good health. She inquired if I noticed that he has not been sick since he has been out of school? I chuckled and said yep, schools are just a huge petri dish of bugs waiting for a ride home. It is like playing ping-pong with the flu.

I went on to explain that schools do not see keeping kids home when they are sick as a priority, as a matter of fact they frown upon it. When our child was out of school for two weeks, the school reported us to the school board for having him four days longer than the ten allowed. Even after providing a doctors note that stated keep him out of school until he is fully recovered. The school claimed no child could possibly remain sick for two weeks and he should have recovered in five days. (yes they really said this) I went on the offensive and started asking the school what they were doing to inform teachers and parents about this issue. Nothing. I suggested flyers to be sent home with the kids before "flu season", they didnt see the point of it. Then the principal stated, and I quote, "We are concerned about our attendence numbers and keeping them up. If they are too low we lose federal grant money." Bingo, that was it right there. Keep the kids in school at whatever cost.

How many of your children have gotten caught in this cycle of illness? How many "bugs" have they caught that were totally unnecessary?

Here is part of the article I read and link to the full text: (this story covers indoor air, but I feel it goes further than that}

(CNN) -- As a third-grader in Winsted, Connecticut, last year, Matthew Asselin was sick -- a lot. He was lethargic and plagued with a persistent wet cough, respiratory infections and painful headaches.

As the school year wound down, Matthew's health worsened. He was out for two weeks in the spring with pneumonia and then developed a sinus infection so severe he needed to spend the night at the hospital, where he received intravenous antibiotics and breathing treatments.

In all, Matthew missed 53 days of school.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/14/health...html?hpt=hp_c1

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**VajraYaya** · 15th January 2012, 16:40

Regarding the article. I wonder, was Matthew fully vaccinated? Same question to you Charles, was your son vaccinated at the time and how many years ago was that?. [Best possible thing you could have done for your son, home schooling. I'm sure he is a highly developed, intelligent and articulate young man.] If it was many years ago, the vaccine schedule for kids was not as intense as it has become in the last few years.

Heavily vaccinated populations are immunocompromised and are susceptible to all kinds of illness.

One friend I have not seen in a while, decided not to vaccinate their daughter, and after a time, he especially, noticed that in comparison to their bright, energetic daughter, who was never sick, all the other kids were lethargic, slackjawed, runny nosed and always sick. Their daughter simply did not seem to be susceptible to as much as the other kids.

I'm betting that this is because of mass vaccination. Of course they won't explore that avenue in asking these questions.

**Odah** · 15th January 2012, 20:24

if you can homeschooling is always the best option.. in the US anyway..if this sound very bitter or whatever..

you can get much better quality in your childs education if you know what websight and super learning programs to buy..

---------- Post added at 20:24 ---------- Previous post was at 20:20 ----------

honestly it would be easy enough to take a few personality tests available or whatever and design a program that teaches a kid the best way the kid can learn. and take the risk out that comes from putting so many children so close together.

**Jenci** · 15th January 2012, 21:39

Schools are marked on their attendance here in the UK, Charles. There's a lot of pressure on the kids to be there. In my son's school, some weeks they give out stickers to the children who are there for all the 5 days. They've even said to parents, to send the children into school if you are not sure about how they are feeling and they will always call the parent and send them home if they deteriorate.

Attendance more important than health ??

Jeanette

**Ross** · 15th January 2012, 22:58

Schools are the largest contributor for sickness in the western world, particularly...mass 20-40 kids in a classroom and you have the perfect contamination sequence.

Most family homes have sickness due to the kids bringing it home...was the way in our house and most others I know of.

Here in OZ you keep em home till they are completely recovered. It is expected here as is a note from Doc.

Ross

**Charles** · 16th January 2012, 12:22

Originally Posted by VajraYaya

Regarding the article. I wonder, was Matthew fully vaccinated? Same question to you Charles, was your son vaccinated at the time and how many years ago was that?. [Best possible thing you could have done for your son, home schooling. I'm sure he is a highly developed, intelligent and articulate young man.] If it was many years ago, the vaccine schedule for kids was not as intense as it has become in the last few years.

Heavily vaccinated populations are immunocompromised and are susceptible to all kinds of illness.

One friend I have not seen in a while, decided not to vaccinate their daughter, and after a time, he especially, noticed that in comparison to their bright, energetic daughter, who was never sick, all the other kids were lethargic, slackjawed, runny nosed and always sick. Their daughter simply did not seem to be susceptible to as much as the other kids.

I'm betting that this is because of mass vaccination. Of course they won't explore that avenue in asking these questions.

Yes he was, and the subject of vaccines has always been a point of argument here. He hasnt been in public school for nearly 3 years, and no vaccines or booster shots of any kind since then. Of course if I was to put him back into a public school, I would be required to have him vaccinated and show proof of it. Like you said, his immune system is much stronger now in comparison to when he was being vaccinated and in school.

**VajraYaya** · 16th January 2012, 16:28

Originally Posted by Charles

Yes he was, and the subject of vaccines has always been a point of argument here. He hasnt been in public school for nearly 3 years, and no vaccines or booster shots of any kind since then. Of course if I was to put him back into a public school, I would be required to have him vaccinated and show proof of it. Like you said, his immune system is much stronger now in comparison to when he was being vaccinated and in school.

That's good to hear. There are ways to get exemptions for the vaccine rule in almost all states I believe. If you find yourself in that position, hopefully not, These days it won't take a lot of digging to find out about what works in your state.