By Jani Whaley
The first week of school brought a lot of absenteeism for the local schools. History normally reveals that in the first few weeks of school the classrooms are full. Students all have good attitudes, are eager to learn and willing to put forth an effort to be there. This year, a stomach virus seems to have invaded the students and changed the trend.
Truancy secretary for Northview Elementary Vicky Harrell reports that about 10 percent of the students were absent in her school. “Most of them had excuses that included illnesses,” Harrell said. “Although it’s not an excessive amount, it is more than past years, especially for the first week of school.”
Sevierville Middle School also reported that approximately 10 percent of their students were not in attendance. Attendance secretary Devone McCarter comments that the turnout is usually greater at the beginning of the school year and gradually declines as the year progresses. “The absenteeism increases in the winter months, especially around the holidays,” she explains. Illnesses and family vacations are a common reason for students to be out in the winter months.
The ailment that appears to be causing so much absenteeism is a flu bug. It seems to be running through younger children and causing fever, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Roz Sonnet, medical assistant of the Seymour Medical Center, confirms that there has been an increased amount of children seen by the doctor for such signs and symptoms in the past couple of weeks.
“This is a virus and there is virtually no cure for it,” said Sonnet.
Sonnet said that the symptoms can be eased by rest and drinking plenty of fluids. The virus will run its course in three to five days, and the student may return to school after the fever is gone. He also said that preventative measures are the best way to keep from getting this flu-like virus. “Good hand-washing techniques, not sharing cups or silverware and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, are the best way to guard against contracting the virus.”
This illness appears to seek out and prey upon the younger and weaker students. Gatlinburg-Pittman High School reports that their attendance for the opening week was a whopping 96 percent. “We are starting off the year superbly,” beams Rexene Shults, attendance secretary for the school. She reports that very few of the older students have contracted the virus.

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The first week of school brought a lot of absenteeism for the local schools. History normally reveals that in the first few weeks of school the classrooms are full. Students all have good attitudes, are eager to learn and willing to put forth an effort to be there. This year, a stomach virus seems to have invaded the students and changed the trend.
Truancy secretary for Northview Elementary Vicky Harrell reports that about 10 percent of the students were absent in her school. “Most of them had excuses that included illnesses,” Harrell said. “Although it’s not an excessive amount, it is more than past years, especially for the first week of school.”
Sevierville Middle School also reported that approximately 10 percent of their students were not in attendance. Attendance secretary Devone McCarter comments that the turnout is usually greater at the beginning of the school year and gradually declines as the year progresses. “The absenteeism increases in the winter months, especially around the holidays,” she explains. Illnesses and family vacations are a common reason for students to be out in the winter months.
The ailment that appears to be causing so much absenteeism is a flu bug. It seems to be running through younger children and causing fever, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Roz Sonnet, medical assistant of the Seymour Medical Center, confirms that there has been an increased amount of children seen by the doctor for such signs and symptoms in the past couple of weeks.
“This is a virus and there is virtually no cure for it,” said Sonnet.
Sonnet said that the symptoms can be eased by rest and drinking plenty of fluids. The virus will run its course in three to five days, and the student may return to school after the fever is gone. He also said that preventative measures are the best way to keep from getting this flu-like virus. “Good hand-washing techniques, not sharing cups or silverware and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, are the best way to guard against contracting the virus.”
This illness appears to seek out and prey upon the younger and weaker students. Gatlinburg-Pittman High School reports that their attendance for the opening week was a whopping 96 percent. “We are starting off the year superbly,” beams Rexene Shults, attendance secretary for the school. She reports that very few of the older students have contracted the virus.

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