Catlin Gabel cancels classes over swine flu

A school in Texas is disinfected (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

To the dismay of parents and students at Portland's Catlin Gabel looking forward to graduation ceremonies, the school has canceled both the last day of classes and ceremonies for the lower and middle schools.

A confirmed case of H1N1 swine flu in a middle school student prompted the closure, combined with a "significant" number of ill students in the lower and middle grades. 

Although the Center for Disease Control (CDC) does not recommend that schools close in response to individual cases of swine flu, head of Catlin Gabel Lark Palma said, "This is a disappointing end to our school year, but we cannot take chances with people's health." No doubt the number of concerned parents calling in outweighed the more distant advice of the CDC.