To help quell the spread of H1N1, Kickemuit Middle School officials kept students in their classrooms during a Thursday, Oct. 29, visit from Assistant Attorney General Jay Sullivan and broadcasted the Q&A session on the dangers of drugs through the school’s broadcasting equipment.

As opposed to a large assembly held in an auditorium — which would have gathered the entire student body together in one densely packed room — the students never left their seats. An in-house production studio aired the deputy attorney general’s interview live and televised it through classroom monitors.

“Part of the rational is that large groups spread the flu more easily with 500 kids together versus 24 kids in a classroom,” said Kickemuit Middle School Principal Michael Carbone.

To ask the assistant attorney general questions, students would telephone the student-run studio from their classrooms. Warren Sgt. Roland Brule fielded a flood of calls and wrote down student questions then handed them to Mr. Carbone. The principal would then ask Mr. Sullivan a question which was aired throughout the school. In a half hour, about 25 questions were answered.

“There were more than we would take,” said Mr. Carbone.

Because the event was sponsored by the Bristol Police Department and Warren Substance Abuse Task Force during Red Ribbon Week, students were able to ask questions related to drug use.

“It’s to educate young people on the dangers of drugs,” said Ann Marie Roy, coordinator of the task force.

A question that was called in more than once was related to parents who drink and drive, noting the situation is a reality for some students.

“They asked what should they do if they get into a car where a parent’s been drinking,” said Mr. Carbone. “I’m sure they know someone that has experienced that. The question wouldn’t just arrived out of the blue.”

Mr. Carbone said the annual event has hosted Attorney General Patrick Lynch in the past, but he was unavailable.

Though attendance is starting to climb, about 80 students were absent from school on Monday, Nov. 2. To continue to reduce the amount of sickness, school employees have been reminding students to wash their hands and use containers of hand sanitizer located throughout the building.