Some SIS students downed by stomach cramps, diarrhea

About 30 students of Saipan International School experienced stomach cramps and diarrhea Thursday morning last week, prompting the school officials to contact its food vendor and the Public School System to check the lunch that was served the day before the incident.

SIS Headmaster Dr. Dale Jenkins said Saturday that their food vendor, Herman’s Modern Bakery, dished out pork, vegetable, fruits, and rice for the Wednesday lunch of all their students.

Jenkins said it was the first time for a large number of their students to complain of the same symptoms and that reports of “discomfort” were noted since midnight of Wednesday.

On Thursday the school got calls from some parents, informing them about their children’s absence due to stomach cramps and diarrhea. That same morning, several students complained of the same symptoms.

Jenkins said no one was seriously ill or taken to the hospital for treatment. Many of the affected students on campus, he said, opted to go home and rest. Letters to all parents were sent out to inform them about the incident.

All 30 students reported to their classes Friday morning.

Saipan Tribune learned that the same lunch menu was served to all 235 SIS students on Wednesday. Only the upper graders from 6th to 12th graders were affected by the symptoms.

Jenkins said they don’t know exactly what happened, but the school does not want to speculate for now on what caused the incident.

“We have full confidence in our food vendor because they’ve been doing a great job in the past two years,” he said.

Jenkins said that Herman’s Modern Bakery has been their food vendor for two years now and has been excellent in its performance.

He said the school was more concerned than alarmed. “When you’re taking care of children, if there is injury in the playground for example, it’s always a serious issue for us. I want to point out that everything we’ve done is simply to ensure the safety of students and I think Herman’s Bakery and PSS share the same feeling,” said Jenkins, adding that if there’s one positive thing the incident will bring is making sure that all procedures and guidelines in preparing food will be followed.

He said SIS is very grateful for the quick response of both the food vendor and PSS.

Saipan Tribune learned that PSS went down to Herman’s Modern Bakery and checked its records and procedures to determine if food is being prepared in accordance with proper temperatures. A final report is expected this week.