Fort Greene's MS 113 Closes Following Student Sicknesses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 21, 2009

Fort Greene's MS 113 Closes Following Student Sicknesses

Department of Education and Department of Health close Fort Greene’s MS 113 following student sicknesses

(Brooklyn, NY)—MS 113- The Ronald Edmonds Learning Center in Fort Greene, Brooklyn was closed today after 18 students were sent home with flu-like symptoms and temperatures of up to 100.4 degrees; an additional 145 students were absent. After communicating with Principal Khalek Kirkland, the Department of Education in conjunction with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has decided to close the middle school until Wednesday, May 27, 2009. Students will return following the Memorial Day holiday.

The measures are precautionary, and fall in line with the Department of Health’s recently-established criteria for suggesting the closure of schools—which include factors such as whether closing a school could reduce the spread of infection, spikes in absenteeism, and the existence of high temperatures and other flu-like symptoms among students and staff.

Council Member Letitia James states, “I am working with the Department of Health and the Department of Education to ensure that MS 113 is properly sanitized as soon as possible. I urge all in the district to take careful measures against sickness as outlined by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I am confident that all agencies will be able to coordinate with MS113, and that the school can soon resume their normal schedule.”

Currently, no one affiliated with MS 113 has been diagnosed with H1N1 flu. An updated list of school closings can be found at http://schools.nyc.gov/default.htm.

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081


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We weren't a minute too soon with this post, apparently. Again, if you have flu-like symptoms accompanied by an abnormally-high temperature, please seek medical assistance as soon as possible. We encourage all residents to adhere to personal sanitary measures.

teamtish