H1N1 - Memories of Korea

When Kevin decided to return to administration it was with the understanding that working in a High School, in an international school would give him experiences that were new, exciting and different. However, in the first month of being principal at GSIS, he was faced with the H1N1 pandemic.

The first indication of problems was when the Wendling's got off of the plane in Incheon airport back at the end of July. Every passenger had their temperature taken and had to fill out a questionaire. Although Korea did not have an H1N1 outbreak there still has been two deaths caused by swine flu, and the Korean government was being extremely cautious and preventive towards this situation.

In fact, schools were told that if they had 2 or more causes of H1N1 flu then they would have to shut down, Kevin heard this on Friday, August 19th, when the school sent a letter home to its students that all was well and that we would stay the course. On Sunday, August 22nd GSIS was in this position and so at a late night meeting the Headmaster instructioned the adminstrators to shut the school down.



So at 9:00 PM the decision was made to close GSIS for the following week due to H1N1 within the school. Within two hours every student and their family was emailed and called as well letters went out on the appropriate websites in both English and Korean so that the community were informed.

Staff was informed and instructed to come into school for divisional information meetings. During the meetings they were instructed to make their courses continue by assigning work and giving lessons via the internet and specifically through Edline, our on-line webiste. Within a couple of hours the school was closed and teachers and students went on-line for a week.


The experience for Kevin and Rosanne to teach on-line and for the four girls to learn on-line was truly unique and stressful. As well, Kevin was involved with monitoring how teachers were delivering their programs, updates on H1N1 cases, organizing a High School textbook pick up plan and at the end of the week he worked with the other adminstrators to determine a reentry plan. One of the requirements of this plan was the Korean Health Ministry now requires school to do a fever screening process. (Which the pictures in this blog represent.)


So now every morning before school over 500 students, from all three divsions - elementary, middle and high school, have their temperature checked. At first all three divisions used a type of "temperature gun" and checked names off of students as they arrived in the morning. If the students had a temperature they were re-checked by the school nurse with a more accurate thermometer and then a determination was made as to whether they should be sent home.

One small problem which occurred was the shortage of termperature guns and thermometers in Korea due to the fact that schools and other institutions were checking temperatures. At one point we wondered if we would have to break out the rectal thermometers - but that did not happen.

However, beginning last week the Middle and High School began using a high tech screen device that scans the students as they walk through the screening area - our adutiorium. This is somewhat more efficient, but it still takes time to check students names.

Kevin's superintednent his first year in Niagara as principal always told him that experiences like this were truly gold as it enabled one to show their gifts and talents for dealing with situations. However, it is hard to see the gold 0r even a silver lining in this serious situation. In the end, one tries to work smarter rather than harder, and remember that the needs of safety, health and well being come before any curriculum needs a student or school may have. In all a little reality in Korea of a current world wide problem.

STAY HEALTHY!!!!