The high rates of absenteeism due to illness at St Joseph School District schools appear to be leveling off. As of Monday, no SJSD school has reported more than 8 percent of its students as out with illness, according to Eileen Duty, school district coordinator of health services.

Ten days ago, several district elementary schools reported more than 20 percent of the student body were staying home due to illness. Those numbers have been steadily declining since last Monday.

In an average year, the school district sees a 5 percent per day average of students out with illness. This year has been notably higher, and Ms. Duty believes it will stay between 8 percent and 12 percent for at least the next few weeks.

It’s not just the flu that’s keeping kids at home. Ms. Duty said there have been a lot of cases of strep throat, vomiting and diarrhea moving through the district. A few cases of seasonal flu are also being reported.

Ms. Duty said the best way to keep absentee numbers down is for parents to keep their sick children at home to avoid spreading illness.