The Duncan Banner

Local News

January 23, 2013

Duncan Superintendent closes Plato Elementary after flu outbreak

Breaking News: Web Exclusive

Toni Hopper The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Plato Elementary School will be closed Thursday and Friday because of the flu. Duncan Public School District Superintendent Sherry Labyer made the decision today after visiting the school this morning. Her decision was based on the increasing number of children leaving school because they are sick. Four checked out of school this morning.

Labyer contacted The Banner at 1 p.m. and said by the end of the school day, all parents of Plato students will be contacted either by phone or email.

The school support and certified staff will still be required to attend Thursday and Friday as the school goes into a disinfectant operation mode.

“This has never before happened during my tenure. We did not take this decision lightly, but safety of the students is our first priority,” Labyer said. “The parents are calling in with the type of flu their children have. They have type A and type B. This is respiratory, too. What we have to do is try to eradicate what is going on.”

The Banner first reported on the issue in today’s printed edition. After speaking with Labyer around 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, 10 more children had left school because of the flu.

“We really started on the decline yesterday. We were at 78 percent and by the time school was out, 10 more went home. It got really critical.”

The school has 316 students enrolled, but that number was down by 78 students, with a good majority of them in the kindergarten classes.

Only one teacher and one support staff member have been out sick though.

Labyer said she based her decision today on what she saw and how many students were leaving by noon.

“If any more went home, I was going to make that decision,” she said.

She said that the health department was contacted and also a state epidemiologist. Based on school guidelines created by Labyer and school RN Chris Watkins in 2009 after an H1N1 outbreak, Plato is considered a Level 4, which is determined by 10 percent or more of the student body in a particular campus being out for illness.

"We are at 25 percent out," Labyer said today.

The Banner will provide a complete story in Thursday’s printed edition.

 

Text Only
Local News
  • Moore Tornado Showcases Advancements in Warnings

    Despite the utter devastation left in the wake of the massive tornado that tore through Moore, Okla. on Monday, the deadly storm, in many ways, helped showcase how far scientists have come in providing communities early tornado warning signs.

    May 23, 2013

  • ODOT efforts hampered by general public traffic

    Oklahoma Department of Transportation is requesting that motorists avoid I-35 through Moore, S. 19th Street because the ramp is closed and emergency and clean-up crews are hampering their efforts.

    May 23, 2013

  • 5-23 EMS Week.jpg National EMS Week shines spotlight on rescue workers

    The Air Evac helicopter was sitting on the helipad at Duncan Regional Hospital Wednesday, but not for emergency reasons.
    National EMS Week, May 19-25, is about connecting with the community and the Air Evac Lifeteam was doing just that.
    “Every base we have is doing something like this during the week,” said Heather Taylor, Air Evac program director. “We want to show appreciation to our community.”

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • Restaurant rumors remain on the hot plate

    From IHOP and HomeTown Buffet to Chili’s and Olive Garden, restaurant whisperings have been running rampant in the community since the arrival of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar.
    Although there are a few open spaces such as the old Golden Corral location and the soon-to-close Honda site, none of these rumors can be confirmed at this point according to Chris Deal, Duncan Chamber of Commerce president. No information on any of the businesses’ websites points to them opening a new location in the area.

    May 23, 2013

  • 5-23 Pham tree Vertical_9168.jpg DMS plants a tree for custodian

    Tam Pham left a lasting impression on Duncan Middle School, and the school has returned the favor.
    On Wednesday, the middle school, along with Duncan Public Schools administrators, recognized Pham for his 28 years of service as head custodian at Duncan Middle School. Pham retired earlier this school year. To honor Pham, the district planted a Chinese pistachio tree in front of the middle school. A base plaque was included to commemorate Pham’s dedication to Duncan Public Schools.

    May 23, 2013 2 Photos

  • List of Moore deceased released

    Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office released today, the confirmed and unconfirmed list of fatalities.

    May 22, 2013

  • 5-22 Will Rogers Grad1.jpg Will Rogers graduates pre-k students

    Duncan High School’s graduation may be Friday, but the high schoolers won’t be the first group of students to graduate this year in Duncan.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • Safe room procedures under review

    Duncan elementary schools dismissed at 3 p.m. Monday, but it wasn’t until almost 5 p.m. that students who remained at the schools were released to go home.
    Because of two storm systems moving through the area, the school district chose to keep students at the school as a precaution if their parents had not already picked them up. Superintendent Sherry Labyer said the plan was to keep students at the schools until the storms passed or moved away from the area as a way of keeping students safe. Buses didn’t start running until 4:45 p.m.

    May 22, 2013

  • Marlow goes on alert

    Marlow Elementary went to load its buses twice before students were finally able to leave Monday.
    Rotation nearing the city made it impossible for students to leave initially, and the school enacted its inclement weather procedures to ensure the safety of its students. Assistant Principal John Smith said the procedures were performed well by students and faculty members.

    May 22, 2013

  • Harrowing scene inside school

    Kelly Law and other teachers marshaled students into the main hallway and central bathrooms at Plaza Towers Elementary School just before Monday’s tornado ripped apart the building with winds up to 200 mph.
    “It sounded like somebody was going through with a mower and hitting a tin roof,” said Law, a teacher’s assistant. “… I had my eyes shut. All of us teachers were covering as many heads as we could.”

    May 22, 2013