Schools
Classes Cancelled Tuesday for St. Charles East After Hundreds Absent on Monday
A stomach virus could be to blame for many of the absences.
Classes have been cancelled on Tuesday after hundreds of students were absent from St. Charles East High School on Monday.
Due to the large number of student absences at St. Charles East H.S., classes at East are cancelled for Tuesday, January 10.
— School District 303 (@StCharlesD303) January 10, 2017
In total, 800 of the 2,500 students at St. Charles East High School missed school on Monday and a stomach virus could be to blame for many of those absences, ABC 7 Eyewitness news reports.
Jim Blaney, Director of School and Community Relations for St. Charles CUSD 303, sent out the following message to St. Charles East students on Monday night:
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Due to the large number of student absences at St. Charles East, classes at East High School are cancelled for Tuesday, January 10. Teachers will be reporting for work and will be contacting parents during the day with a few questions to check on how your child is feeling and to obtain information on their health. It is through this information that we'll determine when we will resume classes at East High School.”
In a statement from District 303 sent out on Sunday, school officials said a stomach virus was making its rounds in the community and was “affecting several students who attend our schools.” Administrators were getting in touch with parents of students who were out on Monday to determine how many missed school because of an illness, according to ABC 7.
On Saturday, both the boys and girls basketball games between St. Charles North and St. Charles East high schools were cancelled after several student-athletes "came down with flu-like symptoms," according to a post on the District 303 Facebook page.
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District 303 officials was in close contact with the Kane County Health Department over the weekend, for guidance and information. On Sunday, school officials said the school district’s grounds and custodial staff had been working to make sure schools were thoroughly cleaned in preparation for the return students on Monday.
“As always, in consideration of others, we ask that students who are ill stay home,” school officials said in a message posted on the D303 Facebook page. “Please understand this virus is present in the entire community, it is not just affecting students in our schools.”
Students at St. Charles East High School were also released at 2 p.m. on Monday so the school could undergo another cleaning, according to ABC 7.
School officials are reminding everyone to practice good hygiene habits such as frequently washing your hands, covering your mouth when coughing, stay hydrated, and get the proper amount of rest.
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