PITTSBURG, CA—Rachel Leongson was relieved that she could finally drop off her daughter Allyson to Highland Elementary School.

“One week is too long,” said Leongson.  “She needs to get back to her studies.”

But Allyson, a 4th grader, says she will avoid sick schoolmates.  She said, “I’m concerned.  I don’t want to get sick.  If someone coughs in front of me, you’re going down!”

3rd grader Logan McNamara says he's more than ready to go back to schoolwork.

“I’m excited to get back to class. During the break, I’ve been doing some schoolwork too,” McNamara said.

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced they are no longer recommending that schools close down if students come down with swine flu.  Health officials say the virus had turned out milder than feared, and the virus has not proved to be more infectious or deadly than the seasonal flu.

But Logan's mother, Christina, says school closures are still necessary.

“I would still be concerned if there are students who are sick and my son is part of that school. It’s better to be safe than sorry,” McNamara said.

Principal Steve Ahona says he agrees with the CDC, saying school closures are not effective in stopping the spread of swine flu.  He says it should be no different than sending sick kids home during flu season. Ahona said, “Kids will always have close contact with other kids.  It’s not different that catching the regular flu.  We don’t close just for that.”

Another parent, Honey Cerbas-Daoheuang, echoed Ahona’s sentiments.

“They close schools, but parents still bring their children at the mall and at the movies where they can get the virus,” Cerbas-Daoheuang said.

Principal Ahona assured parents that their school is virus-free and has been thoroughly cleaned with a special disinfectant that kills the virus.