As the Kane County Health Department relaxed its recommendations for school closings Tuesday, Batavia High School decided to reopen its doors Wednesday.

Not-so-bright but early at a little after 7 a.m., students were greeted by Batavia High School Principal Doug Drexler and a press release from the Kane County Health Department taped to the front entrance explaining its relaxed standards and recommendation for schools to reopen.

“Once the health department changed its (standards),” Drexler said, “We made sure that we could communicate with the students through the website and (e-mail).  Really get the word out to the community.”

Drexler said that he’s leaving the swine flu up to the Health Department to keep in eye on, while the school will continue to monitor sick students as they normally would.

Most students seemed to walk a step slower into school, as many had other plans, namely sleep, for what they were going to do with their Wednesday morning.

“I think it’s kind of dumb,” said Alejandra Serrate, a sophomore at Batavia High School. 

Serrate found out about the reopening through the Internet, but said that she didn’t like being rushed back to school on less than 24 hours of notice.

“I had to rush and get my homework done for today,” Serrate said.

Eric Kopitke, a freshman at Batavia High School, shared Serrate’s view.

“I think it’s stupid, there was no call,” Kopitke said.  “What if someone didn’t have the Internet?”

Drexler said that he understands the frustration students may have with coming back on such short notice, but said that his goal was to get the school reopened as quickly as possible so that they could get work done.

Ross Kinkade, a sophomore at Batavia High School, said that despite everything, he thought the school had done a good job with returning students, although the notice could have been better.

While most students didn’t seem to be pleased about coming back, many parents seemed to think the transition back into school was going well.

“I think they’re doing a good job,” said Steve Lehman, a Batavia High School parent.  “They know all the health issues.”

Doug Lash, parent of a Sophomore at the High School, said that the transition back in “seems to be okay,” but said his son wasn’t too pleased when he heard the news.

“He’s angry,” Lash said. 

Batavia High School parent Joy Broadhurst, who also works for the DuPage Health Department, said that she’s glad the school is open, but was frustrated by Batavia High School closing while all DuPage schools all stayed open.

“(I don’t like) the conflicting messages between health departments,” Broadhurst said.
Broadhurst said that she isn’t concerned about the swine flu affecting the schools at this point.

“I think if everyone uses precautions, it will be fine,” said Broadhurst.

There seemed to be no stress for Batavia teachers, as they seemed glad to just get back to work.

“It’s great.  This is where I like to be,” said Bob Kummer, and English teacher and tennis coach at Batavia High School.

Kummer said that he’s not worried about the swine flu problem continuing at the school.

“They know what they’re doing,” said Kummer.

Carolyn Smith, a math teacher at Batavia, said that while everyone has been professional about the situation, she’s not sure how attendance will be for the day.

“I think that a lot of people will be missing,” said Smith of the short notice back to school.

Superintendent Jack Barshinger said on Tuesday afternoon that the high school will reopen Wednesday, and Rotolo Middle School will reopen Thursday as originally planned.

Barshinger said Rotolo did not reopen Wednesday because of an unrelated matter of a student dying after losing their battle with cancer.

In a press release, the health department said instead of continuing to close individual schools based on the diagnosis of cases of influenza swine H1N1 flu in students or staff, they will instead implement a countywide policy that will focus on keeping all students with symptoms of the swine flu out of school during the period of illness and recuperation.

The change in policy was recommended by the Center for Disease Control. The Health Department said it is an enhanced version of the approach that already is in use during the yearly influenza season.

Barshinger said he isn’t sure if it’s a relief to reopen, but thinks it’s good they now have some clear direction with the Health Department and the CDC working together.

“What it is now is getting our resources pulled together and getting just as many resources to get everyone back in school as it took to get them out of school,” Barshinger said.

As of print date, there are 20 confirmed cases of swine flu in Kane County.