SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND SICKNESS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2176, 14 September 1920, Page 3

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND SICKNESS.

In liis report to the School Committee, at last night's meeting, the head teaelier stated (hat owing lo the prevalence of mumps. a great many children have been exempted ami contacts have been excluded faom school. Tliis has resulted in a hnv average attendance. He could not remember in his experience when local epidemics had extended over such a lengthy period. One epidemic had hollowed another during a period oh six months. The report went on to state in reference to the exclusion of contacts that according (o the Health Regulations, where, ior example, mumps exist, in a household, the rest of the family attending school, if they June not hao this ailment, must he excluded until one week after the swelling disappears from the patient. I have acted upon this regulation throughout the epidemic, and although excluded from school, the contacts may he seen attending public entertainments, Sunday school, or church choirs, w.ith other children. I nle-s there is practically total isolation, it seems almost impossible to keep these childish ailments in cheek. The average attendances for the past live weeks were as follows: August (sth, roll 3!)(i, average attendance 335, absentees 01; August 13th, 390, 335, 04; August 20th, 402, 318, 94; August 27th, 393, 308, S 5; September 3rd, 394, 335, 59.