A flu outbreak that has kept more than 20% of students out of school for four days in a row has led Mount Vernon City Schools to keep students home from school on Friday, Dec. 9.
“Other schools have had days where absenteeism has been high but not at the level of Dan Emmett (20%+) for four consecutive days,” Superintendent Bill Seder told the Mount Vernon News.
All Mount Vernon City Schools buildings have been affected by influenza this year, he said. With the support of substitute and staff coverage buildings have been kept open.
“On Friday students at Dan Emmett will remain home and the staff will report,” Seder said. “We will allocate some additional time and resources to support a deep cleaning effort of Dan Emmett's classrooms and common areas.”
The school district provides some health guidance on its website that he said was pertinent to all families. The letter sent home to parents shared additional health guidance. The website said make sure to wash hands for 20 seconds and frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as refrigerators and microwaves, faucets, light switches, door handles, TV remotes – and the bottom of ladies’ purses – can help reduce the spread of illness in the home and the classroom.
The superintendent ranked 2022 as one of the district’s more challenging years. In 2020 Columbia Elementary was closed for one day due to excessive absences over multiple days, he said.
