St. Jude's school closed due to illness

St. Jude Thaddeus School is closed until next week due to illness, the principal said this .

afternoon, although it does not appear to be COVID-related.

"It seems to be a variety of illnesses," Principal Katie Kopp said.

Kopp said 40 percent of St. Jude's student body missed school Monday due to illness and 40 percent missed today, with a variety of symptoms like fever and nausea, leading to the decision to close school to next week to let the students recover and get healthy.

"We need students to have a positive educational interaction," Kopp said.

She said the illnesses have not been confirmed as COVID and health professionals to whom she has spoken said a number of illnesses have been going around the area, likely leading to the high number of absences.

Kopp said the school already was taking Monday off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so class will resume Tuesday, hopefully giving the student body time to get healthy.