PFLUGERVILLE, Texas — Whether it was glue sticks or scissors, markers, or even the piano, practically everything inside Concordia High School was sprayed and wiped down with disinfectants.

“I get worried when my own children are sick, and now I feel that way toward my students,” said Lisa Fitzgerald, a Concordia High School teacher.

On Tuesday, staff went after anything to could mean exposure to the influenza virus.

“For us to be able to serve our students in this way, I think it’s only going to make our learning environment better,” Fitzgerald said.

They had the day to do so after a flu outbreak forced the private high school to close until Feb. 5.  

“In my almost 40 years of education, I have never had to close a school because of illness,” said David Mueller, executive director and principal of Concordia High School.

Last Friday, 18 students were absent. On Monday, the number jumped to 35. A few faculty members were out, too. 

The school said a total of 29 percent of the student population is currently out sick. The amount of students missing classes makes it difficult for teachers who have to continuously catch students up with what they missed while sick.

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“We need break the cycle, and on the health side we needed to do that just get everybody away from each other so that our kids didn’t continue the spread,” Mueller said.

The break also allows teachers to continue on with their curriculum without having to keep absent students up to date with lessons.

“When it’s half your class, you’re really limited on being able to move forward all,” said history teacher Kendalin Burns. “It’s a very lecture-heavy course and they read and do stuff on their own, but a lot of what’s on tests is what I have to say. If a student is not there they’re not going to get that same material."

The school has also purchased foggers to sanitize the buildings. Inside every classroom is extra antibacterial sprays and wipes. Educators expect the same energy and excitement to return during reopening next week on Monday.  Teachers said the small community is like a family.

"We’re going to be looking at them going, ‘Now don’t hug. Do an elbow bump,’” Mueller said.