After a boy returned from an international vacation with the measles, 34 unimmunized students at San Diego Cooperative Charter School are stuck at home, said principal Wendy Ranck-Buhr. The students can’t come to school until Feb. 21, unless they get immunized against the illness.
Four additional students have already been immunized after learning of the measles case this weekend. The families of the remaining 34 students opted against immunization. Though measles immunizations are required to enroll in San Diego Unified schools, including charter schools, parents can exempt their children from immunizations if their personal beliefs forbid it.
Ranck-Buhr said students would be kept busy during their three weeks away from school.
“We’re sending schoolwork home, so they can keep up,” Ranck-Buhr said. “All our families have e-mail contact with the teachers. Undoubtedly, my staff will find something for them to do!”