ARVADA, Colo. -- School officials in Jefferson County announced a major change in their absence policy Monday in an attempt to help track and combat the H1N1 virus that has sickened at least six Coloradans.

The district is asking parents, who call in to report a sick child, to let school officials know if the illness includes fever or any other flu-like symptoms.

"That information will be reported to local health authorities," said Lynn Setzer, executive director of the district's communications department.

That request comes after district officials moved to close Excel Academy Charter School after one of its students contracted the virus while on an out of town trip.

"It certainly was a difficult decision," said Holly Hensey, the school's executive director. "But we have to keep in mind the safety of our students and their health."

More than 450 students, grades K-8, have been told to stay home from school this week. Work crews sanitized the building last week during spring break.

"You always want to focus on cleaning surfaces when somebody sneezes," said Dr. Gayle Miller, an epidemiologist at the Jefferson County health department. "Other than that, routine disinfection is fine with this virus."

Miller said students who attend Excel Academy are being encouraged to stay home this week and not go to the mall or to see a movie, even if they feel OK.

"We want this transmission chain to break," she said. "And the best way to do that is to get their homework online, have this little break and watch TV but not do a lot of socializing where they might mix with other kids who may be incubating the virus."

Hensey told 7NEWS that her staff has spent a great deal of time planning homework and posting lessons online so that students can keep up with academics.

"It’s certainly a challenge to teach kids when they're not in the building,” Hensey said. “But the staff is doing the best it can to make that happen. Hopefully the parents will follow suit and help us with that.”

The father of the middle school-aged boy who tested positive for the virus, told 7NEWS Sunday, that his son is recovering and is doing, "fantastic."