Schools in the Ririe area are shutting their doors for the remainder of the week due to a significant outbreak of illness among students and staff, as announced by the district.
In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, Ririe School District 252's Superintendent, Jeff Gee, confirmed that all classes at both Ririe Elementary School and Ririe Junior-Senior High School would be canceled. This decision was made in light of a concerning number of absences attributed to illness among the school community. While the specific nature of the illness has not been disclosed, it is clear that it is affecting a large portion of the population within the schools.
Superintendent Gee emphasized that the class cancellations only apply to regular academic sessions; however, any previously arranged events at the schools will proceed as scheduled. He did urge anyone who is feeling unwell to refrain from attending these events, highlighting the importance of health and safety during this time.
"We hope that this four-day hiatus from regular classes will help the illness to subside and provide our custodial staff with extra time to conduct a thorough cleaning of our facilities," said Gee.
It's worth mentioning that Ririe School District typically does not hold classes on Fridays, so this week’s closure effectively extends the break for students.
Interestingly, the previous week saw Hazel Stuart Elementary in Shelley School District 60 also close its doors temporarily for similar reasons, reflecting a broader trend in the region concerning illness in schools.
What do you think about the measures being taken by these school districts? Are there better ways to handle such outbreaks? Share your thoughts in the comments!
