(WSIL) -- Pope County Community School District #1 is cancelling school this Thursday and Friday because a large numbers of students and teachers are sick.
Assistant Superintendent Ryan Fritch says the school is seeing a variety of illnesses, including flu, stomach virus, strep throat, and upper respiratory infections.
Fritch says that on Tuesday, 153 of the district's 500 students were out sick. The elementary school also had 12 or 13 teachers absent.
The district plans to clean the school during the shutdown and be back open and ready for classes on Monday.
Late Wednesday afternoon, Trico Elementary School posted to its that the Trico District would also be closed Thursday, February 6 and Friday, February 7 due to illness.
"The district is closing due to the ever increasing number of Pre-K-12th grade student and staff absences due to illness. In addition, our substitute teachers scheduled to cover pre-arranged absences are also calling in sick."
Trico Elementary School on Facebook
Classes will resume on Monday.
