900 Plus Absences from flu symptoms shut St. Charles East High In Suburban Chicago

This school's closed until next Monday....808 called in sick yesterday, 972 total today... Not good

High absences, flu symptoms shut St. Charles East - Chicago Breaking News: "St. Charles East High School will be shut down starting Wednesday through at least Friday this week after 974 of the school's 2,200 students were absent today, according to district officials and the school's Web site.

The daughter of District 303 School Board President Scott Nowling, a sophomore at the St. Charles East, was among students who stayed home sick.

'I am grateful as a parent that she has an opportunity to get well and not miss more school,' Nowling said. ' I think it was a good decision.'"

"I am grateful as a parent that she has an opportunity to get well and not miss more school," Nowling said. " I think it was a good decision."

The shutting down of the school "is due to an unusually high amount of absences due to illness," the online statement said. "The high level of absences is beginning to impact normal school operations."

All athletic events and parent-night events for the week have been postponed until further notice. No other schools in the district will be affected.

According to the District 303 Web site, St. Charles East reported a "higher than normal" rate of absences on Monday, with many reports of flu-like symptoms. About 700 were absent that day.

-- Staff report