Nov. 07--Classes were back in session at an elementary school in west suburban Lyons Friday after it was closed for a day for a thorough cleaning as a third of its students fell ill with flu-like symptoms.
Robinson Elementary School got a bleach cleaning by the custodial staff, according to Mary Jo Vladika, superintendent of Lyons School District 103.
Vladika said staff was concerned Wednesday when the 260-student school's absenteeism rate reached 80 students by the end of the day, including children whose parents called them out sick that morning and those who went home during the day.
With nearly a third of students missing some school Wednesday, Vladika said she decided to close the school Thursday.
"At one time, five kids were coming down to the office with flu-like symptoms," Vladika said. "Then another, then another."
Many of those students' parents called school officials to confirm their children had the same symptoms -- vomiting and diarrhea, Vladika said. Two students were taken by their parents to a local emergency room, she said. Eight teachers also started to come down with the bug Wednesday, she said.
Robinson's principal was making calls Thursday to check on the sick students, Vladika said.
Officials aren't sure when students started to get sick because school was closed Tuesday for Election Day, but Vladika said Monday's attendance seemed normal.
After contacting the Cook County Department of Public Health for advice, Vladika ordered a scrub down of Robinson, which was completed Wednesday night and Thursday morning. As a precaution, custodians also will clean George Washington Middle School, where many of the sick students' siblings attend, Vladika said.
No other schools in the six-school district appeared to be affected by the illness, Vladika said.
Officials notified parents via the district and school websites, as well as automated phone calls about Thursday's closing. Vladika said they're also planning to educate parents and students on proper hand washing and other protections against germs.
