Rosehill Elementary to close Thursday because of gastrointestinal outbreak

LENEXA, Kan. - After just three days of school, Rosehill Elementary School will shutdown Thursday because of a gastrointestinal illness outbreak.

Shawnee Mission School District officials said 40 children - or around 7 percent of the school's 549 students - were absent or had gone home from school sick Wednesday. Some staff became ill as well. The district said those who were sick were vomiting and had diarrhea.

The Lenexa school is working with the Johnson County Health Department to prevent the illness from spreading. Janitors will be thoroughly cleaning the building's common surfaces on Thursday.

Andrea Carter has two kids who attend Rosehill and said she's happy with the decision to close.

"One day or two days closed is much better for me than watching it go through my home and affect me for maybe longer than that," Carter said.

Rhonda Spencer has a granddaughter at the school and said closing the school is the best option.

"I'm very happy that they're going to let all the kids go home, so they can take the time and get the school cleaned properly before they let them back in, and the illness spreads any further," Spencer said.

School officials are reminding parents that if they are or their children are experiencing any vomiting or diarrhea, they should stay home until they are symptom-free for 24 hours.

The district will make a decision Thursday about opening the school on Friday.