A Denver high school has been temporarily closed after two teachers — including a 24-year-old student, who had symptoms of meningitis — died within a day of each other.
Teachers Madeline Schmidt, 24, of Denver, and Judy Jeffroy, 63, of Aurora, died earlier this week of unknown causes.
Geoffroy also suffered from symptoms of meningitis — a potentially fatal infection that causes swelling of the brain and spinal cord — according to the local health department. Symptoms can include a high fever, headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, or a purple skin rash.
Autopsies have been performed on both Schmidt and Jeffroy, but they are awaiting further tests to determine if the women have meningitis.
Eaglecrest High School closed briefly Wednesday to conduct contact tracing to identify students and teachers who have been in close contact with the professionals. It has since reopened, but the Integrated Learning Center – where both teachers worked – will remain closed through Monday.
Teacher Madeline Schmidt, 24, of Denver, died earlier this week after suffering symptoms of meningitis — a potentially fatal infection that causes swelling of the brain and spinal cord. Her autopsy is awaiting results to see if she had the fatal infection
Associate professional Judy Geoffroy, 63, of Aurora, also passed away this week. The two teachers – who both worked in the same department – died within 24 hours of each other. She was also experiencing symptoms
The Arapahoe Corner County Office said that anyone in close contact with any of the breeders “will be offered prophylactic antibiotics.”
Meningitis can be spread through close contact, as well as through saliva and spit, but it is not as contagious as the flu.
School spokeswoman Lorraine Snell said no students or teachers have reported symptoms of meningitis since the closure USA Today.
Another teacher, Scott Nash — who works at a different school in the area — also recently died, but Snell said, “His death was an unrelated case and nothing to do with bacterial meningitis.”
The school said it was “deeply saddened” to learn of the loss of the two teachers and said mental health services would be available to the students.
Eaglecrest High School closed briefly Wednesday to conduct contact tracing to identify students and teachers who have been in close contact with the professionals. It has since reopened, but the Integrated Learning Center – where they both worked – will remain closed through Monday
Schmidt’s brother John posted a touching tribute on Facebook, writing: “Madeline Schmidt you always posted us on Siblings Day so I’m going to post you thanks for being the greatest sister ever I will always love you.”
Among a collection of more than 30 photos, John posted several of his sister as a child, from family photos with a man dressed as a gorilla to his sister making funny faces, to their rivalry over eating fruit a foot faster.
John and her other brother Will shared on their Facebook pages that Schmidt’s celebration of life will be on 21st April at 6.30pm at One Life Church.
“As you would say to be there or be square,” John wrote, along with a photo of them fooling around.
Schmidt’s Celebration of Life will be on April 21st at 6.30pm at One Life Church
Schmidt’s brother John (pictured together) posted a touching tribute to Facebook, writing: “Madeline Schmidt you always posted us on Siblings Day so I’m going to send you, thanks for being the greatest sister ever, I will always love you.”
Madeline was a graduate of Northern Arizona University and a former dance instructor for her hometown of Westminster, according to her Facebook page.
Geoffroy graduated from the University of Massachusetts Lowell with a teaching degree and previously worked on an electronics assembly line for Lockheed Martin, according to her LinkedIn.
Madeline was a graduate of Northern Arizona University and a former dance instructor for her hometown of Westminster, according to her Facebook page.
Geoffroy graduated from the University of Massachusetts Lowell with a teaching degree and previously worked on an electronics assembly line for Lockheed Martin, according to her LinkedIn.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the family for comment.
