Both Munising Public Schools and Superior Central Schools headed to their holiday breaks a little early this year. The schools decided to adjourn early due to illness amongst staff and students. Both districts will lose just two days of education.

“With a significant percentage of our student body and teaching staff absent, the effectiveness of instruction and learning are now temporarily compromised and the health of our students and staff takes precedence at this point,” Munising Superintendent Mike Travis said. “We need to pause to give everyone the chance to get well and stay well.”

The announcement for Munising was made while many family members were siting in the Mather Auditorium awaiting the elementary school programs on Tuesday. It allowed the families to see the scheduled events that day, including the drama club play that evening, but still allowed families to stay at home later in the week.

The Munising Public Schools Board of Education meeting Tuesday night also postponed student presentations while administrators a chance to teleconference due to illness.

Superior Central waited for Wednesday morning to cancel the rest of the week. The decision was posted over Facebook.

“I am hoping this will give families the opportunity to get well and stay healthy over the Holiday Season,” SC Superintendent Bill Valima wrote. “Have a safe and restful break and I look forward to seeing you on January 3rd.”

The two schools join multiple other districts across the Upper Peninsula in cancelling days due to illness. Approximately a dozen districts in the central and eastern U.P. have missed at least one day of school due to outbreaks of various illnesses, including influenza A. Alger Parks and Recreation Playland also has closed until Dec. 26. The cancelation includes the already closed time due to the holidays.

Burt Township, Munising Baptist and AuTrain-Onota schools did not cancel classes during that time.