I just got this interesting email

I wonder if the kids are going to school this week....

Date: May 4, 2009, 5:15 p.m.

To: Families

Re: Student absences

This message is being sent to address a serious issue that has been brought to the district's attention. Students are sharing text messages, blog postings and Facebook postings encouraging each other to skip school in hopes of creating a swine flu scare resulting in a school closure. These students are under the false impression that inflating the absenteeism rate will cause their school to be closed. This is not true.

Just today, the Metropolitan Health District (MHD) held a conference call with area superintendents, including Dr. Richard Middleton from North East ISD. MHD stressed that they are not recommending canceling any public events or closing any schools at this time. MHD has provided guidance that a 12 percent absenteeism for two consecutive days will be investigated for possible closure. But that guidance is contingent upon students being confirmed with flu-like symptoms. If any school in NEISD reaches those levels, SAMHD will thoroughly investigate the situation.

The school attendance office will be contacting parents to find out the reason their student is absent. Parents can help by contacting the attendance office at their child’s school when the child is absent with the reason for the absence.

Every day of school includes important instruction for your child. We would appreciate you talking to your student about not spreading these false messages to intentionally inflate absenteeism. If you have any questions about the swine flu, you can call the MHD hotline at xxx-207-5779.

Thank you for your cooperation.

....This bullshit sure as hell better not fuck up my summer vacation plans.