Pardee Elementary Reopens After Hand, Foot, and Mouth Outbreak

UPDATE: Pardee Elementary School in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, has reopened today following a swift closure due to a significant outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease that impacted over 20 students last week. The school was shut down on October 29, 2025, as a precautionary measure to conduct a thorough deep cleaning and sanitization of classrooms and common areas.

The closure was implemented to safeguard the health and safety of both students and staff amid the spread of this highly contagious viral illness. Superintendent Mark Kleinhans communicated with parents and guardians in a letter detailing the situation, emphasizing the importance of immediate action to prevent further transmission.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is particularly common among infants and children, presenting symptoms such as fever, mouth sores, and a rash with blisters. In a statement to Local 4, Kleinhans remarked, “The best course of action was to close the building and get it cleaned.”

The Wayne County Health Department is urging families to maintain good hand hygiene, practice proper sneezing techniques, and regularly clean toys and surfaces to mitigate the spread of the illness. Parents are advised to keep children at home if they exhibit fever, draining sores that cannot be covered, or mouth sores that hinder saliva control.

As the school resumes operations, parents are encouraged to remain vigilant and monitor their children for any signs of illness. For further information on hand, foot, and mouth disease, resources are available through public health channels.

This situation highlights the ongoing challenges schools face in ensuring a safe environment for students. As outbreaks of contagious illnesses can rapidly impact educational settings, timely communication and preventive measures remain critical.

Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops.