Springdale Schools Reveals What Illness Caused School to Close
By: Amanda Ashley
Updated: January 21, 2013
On Monday, Springdale Schools released details about the illness that caused classes to be cancelled at Hellstern Middle School.
According to district spokesperson, Rick Schaffer, the Arkansas Department of Health determined Norovirus was likely responsible for widespread sickness at the school last week.
Infection by Norovirus affects the stomach and intestines, causing gastroenteritis and is contagious. This is an inflammation of the stomach and the small and large intestines. Symptoms are nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea accompanied by abdominal cramps. Symptoms usually last one or two days.
Hellstern closed Friday after more than 300 student came down with the stomach bug. Classes will resume at all schools Tuesday following Martin Luther King Day.
The district said Hellstern has been completely disinfected and every bus utilized by the Springdale district was sterilized Thursday evening.
Schaffer said, in a statement, that attendance at Hellstern will be closely monitored.
"The district received overwhelmingly positive support for closing Hellstern Friday by parents," said the statement. "Parents with children who had gotten sick and were contacted by the school Friday reported their children already were doing much better."
According to district spokesperson, Rick Schaffer, the Arkansas Department of Health determined Norovirus was likely responsible for widespread sickness at the school last week.
Infection by Norovirus affects the stomach and intestines, causing gastroenteritis and is contagious. This is an inflammation of the stomach and the small and large intestines. Symptoms are nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea accompanied by abdominal cramps. Symptoms usually last one or two days.
Hellstern closed Friday after more than 300 student came down with the stomach bug. Classes will resume at all schools Tuesday following Martin Luther King Day.
The district said Hellstern has been completely disinfected and every bus utilized by the Springdale district was sterilized Thursday evening.
Schaffer said, in a statement, that attendance at Hellstern will be closely monitored.
"The district received overwhelmingly positive support for closing Hellstern Friday by parents," said the statement. "Parents with children who had gotten sick and were contacted by the school Friday reported their children already were doing much better."
