DENVER -- School districts across the country are being urged to come up with plans to teach kids who get H1N1 flu to stay at home, while keeping the schools open.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, briefed reporters Monday on their recommendations.

The two agencies believe that closing schools causes more problems than it solves. If kids are sent home, parents have to find day care which can be expensive. In addition, health experts say kids can be just as easily infected at a local shopping mall or movie theater -- where the kids would likely go if school is closed for a period of time.

Ultimately, however, the decision is a matter of local control.

"The decision of whether or not to remain open has to be a local decision, based on local resources and experiences," said Duncan.

The first vaccine won't be available until mid-October. Patients must then wait two weeks for a second shot and then it takes another two weeks for the body to build full immunization.

Duncan said the first line of defense is an approach stressing "prevention, monitoring and common sense."

The Jefferson County School district is undertaking an aggressive information campaign to get students to wash hands regularly and cover their coughs.

Sick students will be sent home, and if necessary, they can keep up with their school work online.

"There is a capability of our teachers and our principals to connect with students through e-mail or the school Web site," said Linda Buzard, the district's director of health services.

The CDC said it will monitor the early outbreaks and if the strain is more serious than believed right now, it could change its recommendations.