School absences up across Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The Rhode Island Department of Health is monitoring higher-than-normal absentee rates at schools across the state.

But the agency says that's a good thing, because any children who have flu-like symptoms should stay home from school, to prevent the spread of H1N1.

According to records from the Department of Education, several schools reported absentee rates of over twenty-percent this week, including:

• Wilbur & McMahon Elementary School, Little Compton...28.62%
• Portsmouth Middle School...27.89%
• James McGuire Elementary School, North Providence...24.32%
• Westerly Middle School...23.56%

But in Rhode Island's largest school district, Providence, officials say the absentee rates are about normal for this time of year.

"We do have school nurses and principals looking at our absentee data each day," says Providence Schools spokesperson Christina O'Reilly, who tells us the district is working closely with the state agencies to identify any unusual trends in absenteeism.

"We do report datat to the Rhode Island Department of Education who then compiles the statewide data and shares it with the Department of Health. So it's really in the hands of the Department of Ed and Department of Health to collaboratively look at the data and identify any systemic peaks."

Click here to see the latest absentee report for your children's school.