Homework, not flu on their minds

BY JESSICA LYONS

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 2:14 PM EDT

Queens made headlines last school year when St. Francis Prep High School had the city’s initial outbreak of the H1N1 virus, known as swine flu. On the first day of school this year, many didn’t seem too worried about history repeating itself.

“I’m not really concerned about,” said Nick Green, a freshman at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria.

Green’s father, Neil Ganic, said that he is going take things one day at a time, although he said he thinks New York City has a great health department and regulations.

Stella Papatheodorou, a senior at Frank Sinatra, isn’t very concerned either. She said that she lives near St. Francis Prep and her neighborhood didn’t have any big problems with the H1N1 virus.

While speaking to reporters after greeting students at P.S. 111 on the opening day of schools, Wednesday, September 9, Mayor Michael Bloomberg encouraged parents to “exercise the normal common sense.” He said that sick students should stay home in bed away from their classmates.

“If we have another wave, I think we have a plan for it,” Bloomberg said. “We have studied and discussed, and we can always adjust if we have to; nothing is cast in stone.”

Sofia Apostolidis, the Assistant Principal of Instruction at Frank Sinatra, noted that the school is in a brand new building this year, which means everything has been scrubbed and cleaned. She also said the school will follow the measures dictated by the chancellor’s office.

In addition, Apostolidis said that the school has “excellent communication” with the students’ families and will constantly keep them informed.

Argyro Linaris, whose daughter Georgia is a freshman at Frank Sinatra, said she is concerned and hopes the school and city will take the proper precautions. She also said she gave her daughter hand sanitizer and hand wipes to carry with her.

“The calming words are just look at the experiences that we have had,” Bloomberg said. “The swine flu is a very mild flu so far, and while children tend to get it the symptoms tend to be relatively mild, they might not feel great for a few days.”

More information about the flu is available by calling 3-1-1 or visiting www.nyc.gov/flu.