Pineview Parents Pensive After Kids Served Under-cooked Chicken

By Michelle Cyr-Whiting

As of last night, no cases of stomach illness had been reported at PGRH’s Emergency Department as a result of a meal of under-cooked chicken strips served to 137 students at Pineview elementary. (click here from earlier story)

School District 57 Superintendent Brian Pepper says the parents of six students called in sick to school yesterday and, based on their symptoms, may be feeling the effects of Wednesday’s lunch.

The President of the Parents’ Advisory Council at Pineview says parents are understandably concerned, but are coping well.

Michelle Rolfes says, "We’re thankful the ladies who were doing the hot lunch program recognized (the under-cooked meal) so quickly and took very quick action on it."

"The parents who we’ve talked to are concerned for our children’s health," says Rolfes.  But she says they understand, "It’s something that was an unfortunate accident, but parents are doing just fine."

The vendor that catered the meal has voluntarily ceased operations while Northern Health investigates. (click here for that story)

Rolfes, her voice breaking with emotion over the events, says, "When our children are involved it always gets to the heart of you, but our school’s really worked together to get through this and take whatever action we need to take from the investigation that’s going on."

Dr. David Bowering, NH’s Chief Medical Health Officer, has commended staff and parents at the school for jumping on the situation right away, allowing all parties involved to be pro-active in this case.

"For us in public health, it’s a unique opportunity really.  We usually hear about food-borne illness after the fact -- in other words, people have already become sick and cases have been reported to the Emergency Department’s physicians.  But, in this case, we heard about the exposure."

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