The Paris R-II School District has canceled all classes for Friday, January 16, after a significant outbreak of illness left approximately one-quarter of its students and staff absent. The closure aims to curb the spread of sickness and allow for extensive disinfection of school facilities.
Superintendent Matt Smith announced the decision in a letter to the community on Thursday, citing a continuous rise in illness-related absences throughout the week. The move extends an already scheduled three-day holiday weekend, giving the school community a total of four days to recover.
Key Takeaways
- Paris R-II School District closed on Friday, January 16, due to high rates of illness.
- Approximately 25% of all students and staff were absent by the end of the school day on Thursday.
- The district will use the extended four-day weekend to conduct a thorough cleaning of all buildings.
- The closure coincides with reports of very high seasonal influenza activity across Missouri.
Absence Rate Triggers School Closure
Officials at the Paris R-II School District had been closely monitoring attendance figures all week as more students and staff members reported being sick. By Thursday afternoon, the numbers had reached a critical point.
In his letter, Superintendent Matt Smith explained that the absentee rate had climbed to approximately 25% for both students and faculty. This high level of absence significantly impacts the ability to conduct effective instruction and maintain normal school operations.
The decision was made to cancel classes for Friday, providing a crucial break to prevent further transmission. "The additional day off will allow students and staff time to rest and recover," Smith stated in the communication to families.
A Proactive Health Measure
School districts often use closures as a tool to manage public health crises. By temporarily closing, they create a "circuit breaker" that interrupts the cycle of transmission for viruses like influenza, which can spread rapidly in classroom settings.
Deep Cleaning and Recovery Period Planned
The extended weekend will not just be a period of rest. The district has a clear plan of action to ensure schools are safe for the return of students and staff on Tuesday. Custodial teams are scheduled to perform a comprehensive disinfection of the school buildings.
This deep cleaning will target high-touch surfaces, classrooms, restrooms, and other common areas to eliminate lingering pathogens. The goal is to create a healthier environment and reduce the chance of a resurgence in illness when classes resume.
The district expressed hope that the four-day break will be sufficient for the school community to recover. Families have also been encouraged to take extra precautions at home to help limit the spread of illness within the wider community.
25% Absence Rate: The combined student and staff absence rate that led to the closure of the Paris R-II School District.
Closure Amid Statewide Flu Concerns
The situation in the Paris R-II School District is not an isolated event. It reflects a broader trend of increasing respiratory illness across Missouri and the nation. Health officials have noted a significant uptick in influenza activity in recent weeks.
According to the most recent data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, released for the week ending January 3, the state was experiencing "very high" seasonal influenza activity. The same report documented six influenza-associated deaths in Missouri for the current flu season.
Health experts have also identified a new flu strain, known as subclade K, which was observed circulating during the flu season in the Southern Hemisphere. The prevalence of such strains contributes to the seasonal waves of illness seen in communities and schools.
"We hope the extended break will allow our school community to fully recover by Tuesday," Superintendent Matt Smith said, emphasizing the district's focus on student and staff well-being.
Looking Ahead to a Healthy Return
The district administration is optimistic that these measures will be effective. By combining a recovery period for those who are sick with a thorough sanitization of the physical environment, they aim to reset and start fresh next week.
Classes are currently expected to resume as normal on Tuesday following the holiday weekend. The district will continue to monitor the health of its students and staff upon their return.
Parents are advised to keep children who are still showing symptoms of illness at home to ensure a successful and healthy reopening for everyone.