Widespread illnesses shut Cherry Hill school

Resurrection Roman Catholic School in Cherry Hill canceled classes yesterday because of widespread illness.

Principal Camille Forrest said 77 students stayed home sick, and 17 more became feverish and were dismissed early. Affected were more than a quarter of the Kings Highway school's 361 students, who attend preschool through eighth grade.

Some became sick quickly, acting tired and looking pale, then developing intestinal problems and fevers, she said. Forrest was uncertain whether the illness was a norovirus or "stomach flu."

She urged parents to keep their children home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours. Parents have told her the illness lingers for two or three days, Forrest said.

Weekend activities at the school, including a party for grades 3 to 5, have been postponed, though some teams might choose to play games scheduled at other schools.

Maintenance staff will disinfect surfaces throughout the building. In the meantime, "we're not going to bring children into the building for any reason," Forrest said.

Resurrection was formed in September when the St. Peter Celestine and Queen of Heaven schools were merged. The closing was the first due to illness that Forrest has seen in 17 years as a principal, she said.