Several charter schools in Nampa cancel classes after epidemic

NAMPA, Idaho (CBS 2) –

Three schools in the Nampa region canceled classes for the rest of the week due to illness.

School officials with Liberty, Victory and Legacy Charter say that there have been excessive absences due to influenza and strep throat. Classes will be canceled on Thursday and Friday and will resume on Monday.

The students were sent home with letters, as well as an email sent to parents by noon Wednesday, stating that the school would be canceled for the remainder of the week. Enable ill students to improve themselves and prevent others from being exposed to the disease.

"We determined that it was something that was getting worse instead of improving."

Gayle O 'Donahue, director of community relations for the three districts, said their presence was generally very good. The figures for this week are therefore alarming.

For example, Victory Charter School started this morning with about 25 students called ill. By the end of the school day, 50 students had returned home sick. That's about 400 students from kindergarten to grade 12.

"It's just unheard of for us," said O & # 39; Donahue.

O & # 39; Donahue says that the three districts share things like the bus.

"This great way of sharing things in the situation has created a way to perhaps share diseases that have affected the three schools," said O. Donahue.

As public charter schools, they incorporate extra time into the school calendar so that, in situations such as closing, students do not fall behind.

Unfortunately, this is not the case for Grade 12 students who graduate a week earlier. They will have to make up for hours during the spring break.

A hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes are installed in each class. CBS2 is told that students and teachers wipe doors and desks daily. In this case, that was not enough.

"Having the two days off with the weekend really helps students who feel sick or already sick to recover and then prevent the rest of the students who are well exposed," said O & # 39; ; Donahue.