GUNTOWN, Miss. (WTVA) - Along with the daily math, science and reading in Dena Griggs' Guntown Middle School class, there's also the daily wipe downs of desks.
Students and teachers say they're doing what they can to prevent sickness from taking over their classrooms.
Student Noah Bridges said, "I go around the room and get the Clorox to wipe desks off. You know, I just keep it clean."
Student Julisa Spencer said, "It's the time of year when people are getting sick. Some people are dying from the flu."
School officials say they've had students out with the illness but so far things are not as bad as they could be.
Teachers say along with learning, students are also instructed each day to frequently wash their hands with soap and water, use hand sanitizer, and wipe down their desks to keep them as germ-free as possible.
Teacher Dena Griggs said, "We've had several out with the flu. The more they keep clean, hopefully we won't have a big epidemic at our school."
Some schools in Mississippi have closed their doors because of so much illness this flu season.
The school district says overall it's in good shape considering the high number of flu cases in the community.
They say school nurses are also helping by getting children to the doctor at the first sign of sickness.
Principal Steven Havens said, "We're fortunate to have a nurse. The school district provides us with a nurse. She keeps real close tabs on what's causing the illnesses and people missing school."
The principal says a large number of students started missing because of sickness before Christmas break.
He says by taking all the proper precautions, the flu bug will hopefully stay out of the classroom.
