Linn-Mar Cancels Reading Program Over Flu Concerns

Tools

By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Oct 22, 2009 at 10:05 AM CST

Story Updated: Oct 22, 2009 at 10:05 AM CST

MARION (AP) - The Linn-Mar School District has postponed a student reading program because of concerns about the flu.

Linn-Mar canceled its America Reads program, which had been scheduled for Thursday.

America Reads is a national literacy project aimed at increasing awareness of the importance of reading aloud to children.

Laura Mallicoat is information services coordinator for the Linn-Mar district.

She says officials nixed the event because of a high rate of absenteeism among students and to protect volunteers who may come into contact with the kids.

Schools across Iowa have been hit hard by flu and flu-like symptoms so far this fall, with some schools reporting absentee rates of between 20 and 46 percent.

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.

read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Violent crime, sexual abuse, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.