BELCOURT – Turtle Mountain Elementary School in Belcourt was closed Friday, Jan. 16, due to the number of influenza cases.

Superintendent Shane Martin said the high school previously noted high flu numbers but remained open. However, out of caution, the decision was made to dismiss elementary students ahead of what already is a three day weekend due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

During the students’ absence, a portion of the elementary building will be sprayed to address the discovery of some cockroaches in an isolated classroom in the older section of the school.