Health concern closes Sicamous elementary school

SICAMOUS – Parkview Elementary School is closed until further notice due to an unknown “musty odour.”

The smell has plagued the school’s west wing for the past two weeks. However, after several attempts by school staff and outside consultants to locate the source of the smell, School District 83 suspended activities at the school at the advice of Interior Health.

“We apologize for any inconvenience and anxiety that these changes will cause our students and parents, and we thank you for your patience as we work through this challenge,” said superintendent Peter Jory.

Classes will be kept intact and will be in their temporary locations by Wednesday, Sept. 25, school district officials said. A meeting is planned for Monday, Sept. 23 at Eagle River Secondary to address any concerns. Parkview Elementary students will not be attending school on Monday and Tuesday.

Younger classes will be kept in schools closer to home. Older classes will be sent to nearby schools with available space.

Samples have been taken from the school’s walls and the district awaits the results. The investigation into the unknown odour continues.

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