Schools
Flu Shuts Down Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park
Twenty-five percent of Catholic high school's 732 students are out sick, the Doings reports.
Students at Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park will get a few extra days off this week, but for all the wrong reasons.
The Catholic high school will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday because 25 percent of the school’s student body of 732 students -- approximately 183 students -- are suffering from the flu. In addition, 1 on 10 faculty and staff members are also battling the influenza virus.
Administrators hope that by closing school for a few days, those who are sick can recover and the school can take steps to thwart the virus from spreading to other staff and students.
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A school spokeswoman told The Doings that the building will undergo some heavy duty cleaning over the next few days.
“When you reach a critical mass, it’s better to just shut everything down and disinfect,” Nazareth’s Alena Murguia told the paper. “We’ll have a heavy-duty cleaning plan in effect for all the students’ and teachers’ desks, classrooms and common areas.”
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Some students showed up to school displaying flu-like symptoms because of final exams scheduled for next week. Murguia said teachers may modify final exams for content not covered, The Doings reported.
Other school December activities -- including an all-school Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass -- are affected as well.
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