Health Officials Investigate Hellstern Sickness
By: Rebecca Jeffrey
Updated: January 18, 2013
The tardy bells are still ringing at Hellstern Middle School-- but these seats are empty.
"We gathered data and we looked at the spike in absenteeism it was pretty clear that deserves special attention," Superintendent Dr. Jim Rollins said.
Friday Hellstern closed after a third of its students contracted an illness and were all sick Thursday.
"Monday's absences were about 40, Tuesday's absences were about 40, little higher than that Wednesday and then Thursday all of a sudden we've got well over 200," Springdale Communications Director Rick Schaeffer said.
The main symptom? Upset stomachs.
"We've had health inspectors in, they've checked out the cafeteria, the serving line, where they cook the meals and everything, everything has checked out, absolutely fine," Schaeffer said.
Fortunately, school officials believe whatever the illness is, it's not lasting long.
"Most of the reports from the principals who have talked to parents said their kids are doing a lot better today and so that's an encouraging sign."
But Rollins said they're not taking any chances.
"We have gone through our busing fleet as well, treated our buses similarly, we've taken every step that we can to make sure that we're protecting our kids."
What's caused the sick day is still under investigation as of Friday night, but Springdale is optimistic the kids will all be back next week.
"Hopefully by Tuesday we'll have all 916 kids right back here at Hellstern," Schaeffer said.
Some siblings have contracted the illness, but none as severe as those at Hellstern.
Many students were tested and the samples have been sent to Little Rock. The results are expected to be available by Monday.
"We gathered data and we looked at the spike in absenteeism it was pretty clear that deserves special attention," Superintendent Dr. Jim Rollins said.
Friday Hellstern closed after a third of its students contracted an illness and were all sick Thursday.
"Monday's absences were about 40, Tuesday's absences were about 40, little higher than that Wednesday and then Thursday all of a sudden we've got well over 200," Springdale Communications Director Rick Schaeffer said.
The main symptom? Upset stomachs.
"We've had health inspectors in, they've checked out the cafeteria, the serving line, where they cook the meals and everything, everything has checked out, absolutely fine," Schaeffer said.
Fortunately, school officials believe whatever the illness is, it's not lasting long.
"Most of the reports from the principals who have talked to parents said their kids are doing a lot better today and so that's an encouraging sign."
But Rollins said they're not taking any chances.
"We have gone through our busing fleet as well, treated our buses similarly, we've taken every step that we can to make sure that we're protecting our kids."
What's caused the sick day is still under investigation as of Friday night, but Springdale is optimistic the kids will all be back next week.
"Hopefully by Tuesday we'll have all 916 kids right back here at Hellstern," Schaeffer said.
Some siblings have contracted the illness, but none as severe as those at Hellstern.
Many students were tested and the samples have been sent to Little Rock. The results are expected to be available by Monday.
