A stink bomb was set off in the Corner Brook junior high school, resulting in an evacuation as the bad smell travelled through the building. The students were given an early and extended recess to allow the building time to air out.
All doors and windows were opened, and the school was secured to ensure there was no further danger as maintenance staff searched the facility.
Daryl Wheeler, education officer with the Western School District, said the process usually takes no more than an hour. Although it had been quite some time since a stink bomb had been set off in a school in this area, he said it was dealt with in short order.
“We haven’t had that in a while now,” he said. “A few years ago, we had a string of them.”
The RNC were not notified of the incident, and Wheeler believes the person(s) responsible had not been identified. He said the matter was being dealt with internally and hoped to not let it receive much attention. Sometimes such incidents causes multiple cases to trickle throughout a certain school or schools as others hear about it.
Wheeler does not think that will happen.
“We have had these incidents in the past, but they are pretty rare these days,” he said. “A lot of that might be access to these stink bombs and how they might get them. At one time I think you could buy them around town. I haven’t heard tell of them lately.”
Meanwhile, a letter was sent home to parents of G.C. Rowe students by Helen Coleman, principal, in an attempt to reinforce the message of intolerance.
“We would like you to speak to your children and explain to them that these types of incidents are not accepted in any school environment and it can lead to punishment by the school, it can be a very dangerous health hazard for many ie: breathing problems, vision problems, nausea, headaches etc.,” the letter stated.
Coleman also said the incident is being investigated and further action will be taken against the person responsible.
churley@thewesternstar.com
Twitter: WS_CoryHurley
