Schools offer lessons in crisis response

Educators make a swift outreach to parents, students, faculty—even alumni

School was almost out for the summer.

And then swine flu hit.

So far, more than 100 U.S. residents have been infected, and the number keeps climbing. President Obama acknowledged there’s a possibility some schools with infected students will have to be closed.

We took a look at educational institutions from public to boarding schools, and explored how school administrators are crafting their responses.

New York: an independent school

The first report of students’ being infected started at St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, eight students there tested positive for swine flu. The school was shut down Monday.

The school is part of the New York State Association of Independent Schools. Elizabeth Riegelman, executive director of NYSAIS, says her organization sent out a document to all heads of schools on Monday. The purpose of the NYSAIS is to communicate with school leaders and parents about situations that affect students.