Vancouver Island school reopening after 5 kids, 3 staff members head to clinic for health concerns
An elementary school in Gold River, B.C., will reopen Thursday after it suddenly shut down Tuesday due to health concerns.
On Tuesday morning, students were dismissed from Ray Watkins Elementary School after some staff and students experienced itchiness, runny eyes and hives.
The school says it closed Tuesday and Wednesday out of an abundance of caution as per advice from Island Health.
"Around 11:30 a.m. [Tuesday], we got a call from the school that they were evacuating the school and shutting down for the remainder of the day," said Francesca Lot, president of the Ray Watkins Elementary School Parent Advisory Council, on Wednesday.
She says she heard some of the older students at the school were having "reaction"-type symptoms, like hives and rashes on their arm.
When the school closed Tuesday, School District 84 recommended that families shower and bathe their kids and change into clean clothes after they returned from school.
Anyone who still had health concerns after cleaning and showering was told to head to the Gold River Health Clinic, the only health centre nearby, after they had bathed and put on fresh clothes.
School District 84 superintendent Lawrence Tarasoff says five students and three staff members attended the clinic Tuesday.
At least five other kids have reported having symptoms, Tarasoff told CTV News on Wednesday.
Late Wednesday evening, Ray Watkins Elementary said it planned to reopen Thursday.
"Island Health has given us the go ahead to reopen the school and have stated that there is no significant health risk to the students and staff of the school," reads an update on the school website.
The school adds that each classroom has been thoroughly cleaned and ventilated and that an environmental assessment occurred Wednesday.
Tarasoff says the school is still waiting for the results of that assessment.
"From what I've heard, nothing has escalated," Lot told CTV News. "People have been able to treat things on their own at home."
The PAC president described the situation as "shocking" and said nothing similar had occurred in the years she's been involved with the school.
Lot, a paramedic by trade, says things have mostly calmed down in the community since the symptoms have so far not been serious.
She adds that it seems like the school is "going down the right pathways" to determine what the source of the illness was.
"We thank you for your support and understanding as we took the time to ensure a safe environment for our students and staff," reads the school website.
A little more than 100 students attend Ray Watkins Elementary School.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.