Classes are scheduled to resume Thursday at Field High School after district officials canceled school so the building could be scrubbed down Wednesday to stem the spread of a gastrointestinal illness.
How many students have been sick is unclear. Field Local Schools officials did not respond to phone or email messages Wednesday.
Officials with the Portage County Health Department said school officials notified them Tuesday of widespread illness at the school.
Rosemary Ferraro, director of nursing for the health department, said they do not know what caused the illness because no testing had been done.
But, she said, illnesses like this routinely spread through schools, adding that her grandson and one of his friends have recently been sick with the same thing or something similar.
It’s up to school officials, not the health department, whether to close a school or not, she said.
Field Local Schools posted a statement on its website saying that only the high school was impacted.
“If your student shows any symptoms of this illness, please keep them home,” the statement said.
Parents and guardians fearful for their children’s health can also keep high school students home this week and the absences will be excused, the statement said.
Even though the cause of the illness is unclear, the district’s online statement included tips to prevent stomach flu from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Among them: Scrub hands with soap and water often, particularly before eating and after using the restroom; clean surfaces with a bleach product; and avoid preparing food for others if you are sick.
Amanda Garrett can be reached at 330-996-3725 or agarrett@thebeaconjournal.com.