Tuesday November 5, 2024 | SOOKE, BC [Posted at 8:30 am | Updated 12:45 pm & 2:36 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
John Muir Elementary — one of three elementary schools in Sooke — is closed today following a power outage that resulted from yesterday’s windstorm.
Power outages occurred across the south Vancouver Island area yesterday and last night. The power outage at John Muir Elementary started at 9 am yesterday (November 4), about 24 hours ago.
Students who need a supervised place to stay today (e.g. if parents are working) may come to the school. But the school will be cold, says Sooke School District 62 (SD62).
There are 223 students at John Muir Elementary this year. Incidentally, that’s over-capacity — normal maximum would be 196 students, according to SD62.
Advising parents:
Parents were advised about the school closure through internal school district communications (email and automated phone message). There was also a posting on X.
There were also posts in social media and on the SD62.bc.ca website. with information about the closure.
Backup generator:
Island Social Trends has inquired as to the availability of a backup generator.
“Installing generators at every school is unfortunately not feasible due to the high costs involved,” says Kristen McGillivray, Communications, SD62. “Power-related closures are rare across our district, though Port Renfrew Elementary does have a generator because of the more frequent outages in their area,” says SD62.
Bus service:
Island Social Trends inquired as to whether bus service will still operate for those students who do need to be at school today (without instruction).
“Yes” there will be bus service for any students who need to be there today, says SD62.
School location:
John Muir Elementary is located in a fairly open area that fronts onto West Coast Road at 7179 West Coast Road (aka Highway 14) and backs onto the ocean, with forested and farm areas on either side. It’s a rural setting within the District of Sooke.
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NEWS SECTIONS: SD62 SCHOOL DISTRICT | SOOKE | K-12 EDUCATION