ORONDO — Only a third of Robin Gahringer’s first-grade class called in sick Wednesday at Orondo Elementary.

The room bustled with sounds of wooden blocks, buttons in a can and children counting “six, seven, eight” at their work tables. Two days ago, half the class was absent.

“It does seem to be the kids who are together a lot during the day,” Gahringer said, referring to a table with empty chairs.

In the classroom next door, half of Kim Hoofnagles class was absent. The seven remaining children spent the last hour of the day quietly reading, coloring or making up work they missed when they were sick. Hand sanitizer graced every table.

At the end of the day, the children helped Hoofnagle wipe down all of the chairs and tables before grabbing their coats to leave.

“One student told me there was nobody on the bus this morning,” Gahringer said after class.

“Mine walk in wondering how many are gone today,” Hoofnagle added. “They’re definitely noticing the impact.”

For the last two weeks, both teachers have had to put their core curriculum plans on hold as their students have come down with the flu. The teachers are confident they’ll catch up eventually.

Since early October, dozens of North Central Washingtion schools reached more than 10 percent absenteeism, which requires consultation with county health departments.

In Chelan and Douglas counties, eight schools reported high absentee rates on Monday, including Vale Elementary at 26 percent and Cashmere Middle School at 17 percent. Wenatchee, Entiat, Manson and Waterville schools also reported 11 to 13 percent absences.

Orondo Elementary was hardest hit with 36 percent of its 200 students out sick on Monday. The school sent sick children home, scrubbed down surfaces and passed around hand sanitizer.

By Wednesday, the absentee rate dropped to about 22 percent, which Superintendent Millie Watkins hopes is a sign the worst is over.

“I’ve never in my career seen a situation with this level absenteeism,” said Watkins, who has worked in education for more than 30 years. She said 5 to 7 percent is a normal rate for October.

There was talk of closing, Watkins said, but the Chelan-Douglas Health District recommended the school stay open for three reasons:

• The flu affected a smaller percent of the staff, which means school can still run on schedule.

• Closure will not stop the flu from spreading because students will continue to contact siblings, friends and neighbors at home.

• Staff have taken several measures to contain spreading germs, including disinfecting surfaces, making sure students wash their hands and sending sick children home immediately.

The health district advised Cashmere’s Vale Elementary to stay open for the same reasons, even though a quarter of its 526 students were absent Monday, said Superintendent Glenn Johnson.

“The bottom line is we’re going to follow the recommendations of the health district,” Johnson said. He also consulted with other school districts and the North Central Educational Service District, which are following similar standards.

The absentee rate peaked on Monday at Cashmere elementary and middle schools, said district nurse Susan Day. On Wednesday, the high school peaked at nearly 23 percent, which was due in part by activities and other illness, including strep throat.

“Our number one concern is that kids get well,” Johnson said. “Number two, we can worry about how to catch them up on things they missed.”

As the Cashmere School District hires extra janitorial help to deep-clean the school more often, district officials are also asking parents to help by making arrangements for their sick children to stay home until they’re symptom-free.

“We’re going to stay the course and continue taking steps we’re doing,” Johnson said. “We’re asking for parents and kids to do their part too.”

Rachel Schleif: 664-7139

schleif@wenatcheeworld.com