Flu Hits Princeton School Hard, 185 Students Out Sick

PRINCETON, NJ — The widespread influenza (flu) has hit Princeton hard this season with schools reporting high rates of illness or absenteeism, specifically at John Witherspoon Middle School.

"Over the past two days, more than 20 percent of our middle school students have been absent," Steve Cochrane, superintendent of Princeton Public Schools said in a letter to parents Friday.

On Thursday, 160 students were absent at JWMS on Thursday and another 25 went home sick during the day, Cochrane estimated.

Other Princeton schools have not reported high rates of illness or absenteeism at this time, Cochrane said.

Princeton also shared the news about the spread of the flu in the area and schools on its Facebook page Friday.

The New Jersey Department of Health does not recommend school closures, however, Municipal Health Officer Jeff Grosser has advised a comprehensive disinfection protocol be implemented at JW.

On Thursday night and Friday morning Princeton Public Schools' custodial staff used hospital-grade disinfectant to wipe down common surfaces such as handrails, door knobs, bathroom fixtures and keyboards, which are frequently touched, Cochrane noted.

The disinfection procedures will continue to be implemented through the remainder of Friday and throughout the weekend.

Parents are urged to keep children at home if they are experiencing symptoms such as sore throat, fatigue and muscle aches. And to remain at home until children are fever-free for at least 24 hours without taking fever reducing medication. Frequent hand washing is encouraged, especially before eating as well.

Princeton Public Schools also provided below links to information sheets for parents from the New Jersey Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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