Flu-scare over, South Jersey school reopens
The last two days were lonely ones for Hainesport School Superintendant Mark Silverstein.
The last two days were lonely ones for Hainesport School Superintendant Mark Silverstein.
With his Burlington County school closed as a precaution for a flu scare, he had the building to himself Monday and yesterday, save for the custodial staff.
"I'm glad to have the kids back," he said this morning as the school reopened and parents gratefully dropped off their children.
He said he was even happier that tests showed that two students whose flu-like symptoms prompted the closure did not have the swine flu.
Silverstein said that for most part parents were supportive of the decision to close the K-8 school even though it generated some calendar chaos.
"It did cause some scheduling issues," he said, adding that this is testing time for standardized state exams and that the school will have to figure out how to make up the lost days.
Parent Cheryl Hannon thought the closure was a good idea.
"I think they erred on the side of caution," she said. "And they did a great job."
But crossing guard Dot Baldwin wasn't so sure the school needed to shut down.
"I really didn't think it was that serious," she said.
Still, Baldwing said, she was glad to see the kids even if the feeling wasn't mutal.
"The kids aren't happy it's open," she said.
