The district's high school, Cactus Shadows, peaked at a 13 percent absence rate on Feb. 7. In the lobby of Pediatric Associates in north-central Phoenix, Alaina Chavez huddled with her 9-year-old son, Sal Garcia, on Friday as he battled a fever and cough. Sal's temperature shot up to 104 degrees, prompting a trip to the doctor's office.