Flu hurts school attendance

The flu bug is taking a big bite out of some classrooms, especially in southwest Iowa. Shenandoah School District Nurse Stephanie Steinkuhler says at least 30 kids were absent due to illness this week just in kindergarten through 2nd grades. She says the students have sore throats and fevers and some are vomiting.Steinkuhler says parents should take one bit of advice if their children are sick — keep the kids away from school so the bug doesn’t spread. She says if the kids have a fever over 100, keep them home.She says that old advertising slogan about breakfast being the most important meal of the day is apparently true.Steinkuhler says students also need to get plenty of rest so they can stay healthy and fend off infections.