Paris R-2 School District will not be in session Friday after illness-related absences affected around a quarter of students and staff, according to a letter from the district superintendent.
On Thursday, Superintendent Matt Smith said the district continued to monitor illness rates throughout the week, with attendance dropping further as the day went on Thursday. Smith said a significant number of staff members were also affected.
As of the end of the school day Thursday, approximately 25% of students and staff were not in attendance, according to the letter.
Because of those absences, the district canceled classes Friday, Jan. 16, extending an already scheduled three-day holiday weekend. Smith said the additional day off will allow students and staff time to rest and recover, while custodial staff perform thorough disinfecting of classrooms, restrooms and other areas.
The district hopes the extended break will allow the school community to fully recover by Tuesday, Smith said. Families are also asked to take precautions at home to help limit the spread of illness.
Classes are expected to resume Tuesday.
There’s been an uptick in flu activity across the country and in Missouri.
As of Jan. 3, which was the end the 53rd and final week of the 2025-26 flu report, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported six influenza-associated deaths and very high seasonal influenza activity in Missouri.
Previous reporting from KBIA found that the new strain known as subclade K began circulating during the Southern Hemisphere flu season over the summer.