Homecoming Blamed for Massive Sickout
Archbishop Carroll cancels all activities until further notice after 363 kids get sick
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The principal told parents to consider getting their kids vaccinated against the seasonal flu and swine flu.
Last weekend's Homecoming event may very well what fueled a massive sickout this week at Archbishop Carroll High School.
363 students were out sick Wednesday, promting the school to shut down for at least the rest of the week and sanitized the entire school. That's nearly 40-percent of the student body, which is a huge spike compared to the one or two-percent of students sick on a day-to-day basis, according to superintendent Mary Rutherford.
"It's unfortunate. Over the weekend we had homecoming here at Archbishop Carroll so it seemed that some sickness began popping up after that event," Rutherford said on Wednesday.
Most students had cold and flu-like symptoms. One case of Swine flu was confirmed and by late Wednesday several other students had unconfirmed cases, according to school officials.
The principal sent a letter out explaining the school would close and be disinfected on Thursday and Friday "so that we can rid the building of any possible germs." The sanitizing is "in order to remain proactive and with an abundance of caution," David Dickens explained.
The tone turned more cautious Thursday, with an update on the school Web site announcing all activities were canceled until "further notice" and would be re-evaluated on Monday, Oct. 12.
One important note -- SAT tests scheduled at the school for Saturday, Oct. 10 were still taking place as of Thurday.
Posted Wednesday, Oct 7, 2009 - 1:13 PM EST
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