With Absences Down, Birch Meadow Back To Winter Norm

READING - Student absences at Birch Meadow have returned to normal, Superintendent John Doherty said Friday. But despite the apparent return to health, the Birch Meadow community was still talking about Friday, March 1, when 87 students were absent.

"The numbers are back down to what normal winters are," said Doherty. "It's winter time. It's New England."

Of the 87 students out on the first day of the month, nine reported a stomach virus, 10 were on vacation, and 68 gave no reason for missing school. If, as some suggested on social media, it was a norovirus of some type, nobody has presented proof to school officials.

"We have no idea what it is," said Doherty. "Nobody reported it to us."

But with the number representing almost a quarter of the 375 students, the March 1 total got the attention of school officials. The weekend of March 2-3 the town's facilities department cleaned Birch Meadow. On Monday, when the school was closed because of snow, the Board of Health inspected the school and ruled out any food borne illness. On Tuesday a letter was sent to all Birch Meadow families.

"There's nothing in the school that we can see is causing this," said Doherty.

When school resumed Tuesday, there were 22 out. On Wednesday it was 15, Thursday 23, and Friday 26. Friday absences are usually higher because some families leave early on vacation. All four days this week represent normal absence numbers according to Doherty.