ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - Ann Arbor Public Schools closed four of its buildings on Friday and cancelled all before and after school activities due to a “very high number of staff illnesses,” district officials said in an updated announcement.
According to district officials, classes and activities at Ann Arbor Open, Burns Park Elementary School and Tappan Middle School were cancelled over the overwhelming amount of staff sickness.
“We are unable to ensure staffing sufficient for a safe in-person learning environment for students,” wrote AAPS Superintendent Jeanice Swift in an announcement to families.
Remote learning was also cancelled since too many staff members were unable to teach.
Swift said that the buildings will be thoroughly disinfected by the district’s custodial teams while they are closed.
“We are so very sorry this situation has occurred and are eager to return to in-school learning as soon as possible,” wrote Swift.
The closure was announced one day after classes were cancelled at Burns Park Elementary School for the same reason. An high number of staff illnesses on Thursday kept students and facility members at home while district officials sent out a health advisory.
"Many schools are experiencing high and increasing rates of illnesses, and student and staff absences due to influenza, COVID, colds, and other communicable diseases," the advisory said.
Staff and families were urged to take the following precautions to reduce risk and support each other:
• Monitor yourself or your child for any signs of illness, such as cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever, and fatigue.
• Stay home if ill.
• Monitor yourself or your child for any COVID symptoms using the Student COVID-19 Symptom Checklist. Consider testing if symptoms are present.
• No matter what the illness, the child should not return to school until free of fever, vomiting and diarrhea for at least 24 hours. Use your best judgment if they are fever-free but are experiencing symptoms that make it difficult to engage at school.
• Students and staff are strongly advised to wear a mask at school, especially in schools where parents have been notified that their student’s classroom or building is experiencing high levels of illness.
• Please notify the school office of the reason your child is out ill and any specific diagnosis to help us track what is circulating in our school community.
For more information and helpful tips, visit Washtenaw.org.