Day School Principal Says Food Safety Unrelated To Student Sicknesses

principal Kevin Regan has announced that an unusually high spike in stomach related incidents on Monday does not have any relation to food safety issues.

Regan sent out a notice to parents on Monday afternoon following a day where 25 students reported absent and 15 students were dismissed, most of which in relation to reports of nausea, vomiting and other stomach related symptoms.

"I saw a change in the attendance rate and I became concerned," said Regan. "However, I think things have moderated themselves now, I'm hoping its run its course."

Regan believes that food-borne causes were unlikely due to the majority of dismissals occuring prior to lunchtime and an inspection from the Westford Health Department, which found no violations in the storage, preparation or serving of food on the day in question.

The total number of absences jumped to 29 on Tuesday, but only three students were dismissed on Tuesday, with a total of 11 absences reported so far today.

Regan has informed staff to remind students to wash their hands before eating, and use hand santizers after recess, after the use of materials other students use, and after specialized classes.

He also notes that the cafeteria and bathrooms are disinfected on a daily basis and asks that any parents with students that have reported symptoms of nausea or vomiting within the past 24 hours should stay home from school to prevent the spread of germs to other children.