Skunks take over Winnipeg school, forcing students to learn elsewhere
Students at a Winnipeg elementary school were forced to abandon their classrooms thanks to an 'uncomfortable smell' left behind by some skunks.
Students and staff members at Stevenson-Britannia School have been moved to different locations throughout the community after skunks made their way into a crawl space in the school.
"The smell of skunk was worse today upon arrival as there are some challenges eradicating the animal (s)," a letter posted on the door of the school said.
"As a result, for students who arrived at school today, we will relocate classes until the conditions improve."
Students have been learning in make-shift classrooms at Bord-Aire Community Club, Discovery Children's Centre and the Library and two extra classrooms at Linwood School.
It's noted in the letter that there are no toxins in the skunks' spray, but the smell is "uncomfortable for most."
The school is anticipating the situation will improve Friday and families will be updated on the situation. It is an in-service day on Friday, meaning the students don't have school.
Jane Couch, principal of the school, said in a statement that one skunk had been caught and relocated.
“We have deployed ozone generators to filter the air and have made adjustments to our HVAC system. We are continuing to monitor the situation,” Couch said.
Couch said there are no safety concerns, but the school is focused on removing the lingering odor to allow staff and students to return to school. She said the odor was “strong and pungent” at first, but has weakened.
“We expect students should be able to return to their classrooms by early next week once the odor is addressed,” she said.
Kristina Taplin, a parent at the school, said she received a letter explaining the situation early Tuesday morning.
"I find the entire situation a bit amusing," she said. "It did feel like the staff was trying to treat it lightheartedly, definitely trying to make sure everyone was comfortable, but also trying to figure out what was going on and what they could do."
Taplin said her two children in grades one and four were enjoying the change in scenery but acknowledged it has been more difficult for other students.
She said she was impressed by how quickly the other places were able to host the kids.
"It was really heartwarming and really just nice to know everybody is looking after the kids and making sure they are still able to go to school."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Video shows suspect setting Toronto-area barbershop on fire
Video of a suspect lighting a Richmond Hill barbershop on fire earlier this week has been released by police.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Early results from London, U.K., suggest Labour's Sadiq Khan will secure a record third term as mayor
Sadiq Khan, the Labour Party's mayor of London, appeared Saturday to be romping to victory as results from the capital pour in.
'I have the will to live': N.B. woman needs double lung transplant
A New Brunswick woman suffering from sarcoidosis, a disease that limits your lung capacity, is in need of a double lung transplant.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.