Peyton Bull uses hand sanitizer Friday to avoid germs and illnesses.
Flu season isn’t over. In fact, Friday saw an increase in absences from earlier this week.
On Friday, 115 people were either left during the day or were out for the entire day. Earlier in the week, around 80 students were absent with the most common reason being the flu or strep throat.
“The number of absences have almost tripled,” Becky Smith, attendance clerk for DMS, said Friday.
Smith said her hope is the extended weekend will help curve the number of absences from flu going forward. On Monday, students were out of school for President’s Day, but teachers were present for professional development.
On Tuesday, school was closed because of the threat of inclement weather.
Last year, flu season reached a peak with 150 students absent, leading to the closure of Duncan Middle School for one day.
Smith said students should still be proactive when it comes to avoiding getting and spreading the flu.
“Just be sure to wash your hands and stay home when you’re sick,” Smith said.
