Malden School District calls off classes due to illness

MALDEN, Mo. (KBSI) – Schools across the FOX 23 area are calling off classes all because of illness. 

Chaffee, East Prairie, Scott City, Kelley, New Madrid County, are all school districts that are closed for the remainder of this week. 

Malden School District shut down late last week and continued virtual learning due to illness going around. 

They are now back in the classroom but parents like Denton Kooyman remain concerned. 

“She has all her shots up to date. school has certain ones that she gets at a certain time. So luckily she didn’t have to get some before school this year. But yeah, our shots update. We’re good with getting shots,” said Kooyman. 

Superintendent Carie Fowler says she’s happy her 800 students are back to in person learning but she knows illness could strike again. She explained her decision to call off class when she saw over 80 kids leaving school before the end of the day with the same symptoms. 

With the halls being empty the next instruction was for the custodial staff to do a deep cleaning getting rid of the school’s germs. 

“We started seeing our attendance drop. you know, once we started getting the low 90s. That’s when I started paying closer attention. By Thursday, we had 98 kids out by 1:30,” said Fowler. 

Now, Fowler encourages parents to keep an eye on the symptoms of their child. 

“You always have parents concerned about their babies and you know, we are, too. And, you know, I’m so thankful that we have parents that are involved in that call in and let us know kind of what’s going on when they take their child to the doctor,” said Fowler. 

As for Kooyman he says even if the kiddos aren’t in class his family makes sure there’s no pause in learning while they make the most of the packets that the school sends home. 

“We call the school to get a heads up. I send a doctor’s note when need be. I like it this year for my youngest. She actually has a teacher. Has sent work home knowing if they’re going to be sick or out for a snow day. We actually have work to do at home, so she doesn’t get fallen behind. So, she does her work at home. She’s excited about it and we send it back the next day,” said Kooyman.