Power issues close Charlottetown's St. Jean Elementary School for 3rd-straight day
Public Schools Branch says it expects students will be back in class Friday
St. Jean Elementary School was closed for the third day in a row Thursday, but the P.E.I. Public Schools Branch now says it expects classes to resume Friday.
Students were sent home from the Charlottetown school Tuesday morning due to a power outage “related to the underground electrical infrastructure that supplies the building,” the schools branch said at that time.
The power issues also closed a child-care centre in the building.
The PSB was hoping to have students back at school Wednesday, but said it needed more time to find a generator. Once it found one, the generator ran fine overnight but then lost power early Thursday morning.
The spokesperson for the schools branch said in a statement Thursday that staff tracked down a different generator that appears to be working well, and the school has warmed up.
"At this time, we expect to have St. Jean Elementary open Friday on its normal schedule pending any unforeseen issues," the statement reads.
Meanwhile, it said the materials needed to repair the underground electrical issue are heading to the Island now.
The schools branch said if further issues come up, updates will be shared through the PSB's website, social media and through SchoolMessenger.
"We recognize that the continued closure of St. Jean Elementary has required families to adjust plans on short notice, and we sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding," the statement reads.
"We know this has been disruptive, and we are grateful for the flexibility shown by the school community."
With files from Sheehan Desjardins