Northside Christian Academy in Wadsworth was closed Tuesday due to illness.
The school said several students and staff had called.
According to the school, janitors will disinfect the entire building.
The school’s director, Cassandra Hartzler, sent News 5 the following statement.
Unfortunately, we have made the difficult decision to close school for today. In our building, we have a baseline percentage that we go to when we have a lot of absences for staff and students. This day off allows our 350 students and 45 staff an extra day to recover or simply enjoy the sunshine for those not under the weather. We look forward to welcoming our staff and students tomorrow!
The school posted this message on Facebook Monday evening:
Akron Children’s School-based health care workers say they’re seeing seasonal illnesses.
“Normally from November to March is sick season and when a lot of children get sick,” explains nurse practitioner Theresa Fletcher.
She said many nurses who work in schools are reporting students with sore throats and colds. Anyone with symptoms such as fever and vomiting is advised to stay at home.
“It’s important to take care of yourself when you’re sick and not expose other people to your pain,” Fletcher said.
Prentice Autism Center in the Cleveland-area Positive Education Program (PEP) canceled classes Tuesday due to staff illness.
News 5 also reached out to other large school districts in Northeast Ohio. None of them reported unusually high numbers of staff or students sick.
Wadsworth parent Jacque Charles said her four children have avoided serious illnesses this season, but she is keeping a watchful eye.
“When a person is sick, it can be right [create a] A domino effect throughout the house,” she said. “We have to be with our children and we have to make sure that we are good examples.”
Health care providers say a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and good hygiene are important to warding off disease.
“It’s really about going back to those basics and keeping yourself clean and keeping yourself safe from disease,” Fletcher said. “And then there’s prevention, things like the flu shot. It’s not too late. It’s February, but it’s not too late. The flu is still out there and it can still help you.”
Dr. Amy Edwards, associate medical director of pediatric infection control at UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, recommends the Covid-19 and RSV vaccines as preventative measures.
He also said that people with symptoms of the disease should wear masks to avoid spreading their illness to others.
Both Akron Children’s and UH Rainbow Children and Babies reported experiencing a normal level of illness throughout the year.
This is definitely a sick season. And usually when you get out of March, things look up and get a little bit better,” Fletcher said.
Northside Christian Academy said it was cleaning the building Tuesday and expected to reopen as normal Wednesday.