FLU-SYMPTOMS CLOSE WATSEKA HIGH SCHOOL
Watseka High School is the first in Iroquois-Kankakee Counties to close due to high absenteeism among students. Flu-related symptoms has resulted in a public health emergency and the cancellation of classes at the High School Thursday 10/22 and Friday 10/23. Other schools in the Watseka Unit #9 District will be open.
The Unit #9 school authorities and the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department have been monitoring student absenteeism the past two days. The district’s K-8 buildings have had normal attendance patterns, but Watseka High School has reported an increasing number of student absences. On Wednesday 10/21, 112 students were absent from the high school. The Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department investigated the absences and confirmed at least 90 of the absences were flu related. Doug Corbett, Director of the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department, proclaimed a public health emergency at Watseka High School, recommending the cancellation of classes Thursday and Friday. Unit #9 Superintendent Steve Bianchetta responded announcing that Nettie Davis Elementary School, Wanda Kendall Elementary School, Woodland Grade School and Glenn Raymond Middle School will be OPEN for classes. Watseka High only will be closed.
Bianchetta said “it is always our goal to keep schools open for students, however, this is a public emergency ans it’s prudent to follow the Public Health Department’s recommendation and cancel classes at Watseka High School.”
Other Iroquois County school districts, Central Unit # 4 at Clifton and Iroquois West Unit #10 at Gilman have not reported higher than normal absenteeisms yet this week.
Kankakee County Public Health Department Director Bonnie Schaafama said schools have not yet reported high numbers. She said decisions are to be made by the school district and health department, based on whether there are enough students or teachers to operate the schools.
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courtesy: www.iqesda.com
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