Schools assessed after dump fire

MONDAY, APRIL 9: The team who cleaned up public schools affected by the fire at the Pembroke Dump has been praised by Education Minister Jennifer Smith.

Dame Jennifer today thanked facilities manager Cleun Gaiton and his team of custodians who cleaned up Victor Scott Primary School, Prospect Primary School, Prospect Preschool, Cedarbridge Academy, Devonshire Preschool, Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy and the Child Development Programme.

Assessment visits were made to the schools under the guidance of Permanent Secretary Warren Jones and health officials.

Dame Jennifer said: “The focus of these visits was to ensure that proper ventilation had occurred during the week, that each school was thoroughly cleaned and that all surfaces were wiped down with disinfectant.

“Out of concern for students with asthma, the ministry consulted with health officials, and it was determined that it was not necessary to test air quality primarily because the process of cross ventilation was sufficient enough to eliminate any air quality issues.”

The Minister said the schools which don’t have piped water, like Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy, have had their tanks visually checked, and those with no visible signs of debris were chlorinated.

Tests have been conducted by Bermuda Water Consultants, which sampled area tanks for bacterial, organic and inorganic chemicals – including bacteria, pesticides, metals, etc.

Bottled water will be provided for students until test results are complete.

As far as the status of the schools, a press statement said: 

• Prospect Primary School: No visual signs of smoke damage
• Prospect Preschool: No visual signs of smoke damage
• Victor Scott Primary School: No visual signs of smoke damage, but smoke smell is still dissipating
• Cedarbridge Academy: No visual signs of smoke damage
• Devonshire Preschool: No visual signs of smoke damage
• Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy: No visual signs of smoke damage.
• Child Development Programme: No visual signs of smoke damage

The Minister concluded by expressing her thanks to Bermuda’s brave firefighters, all the members of the Public Works Ministry who assisted, the school principals and teachers involved, as well as to the Education Ministry’s own facilities manager and the school custodians who, she said, take great pride in ensuring that students have a safe environment in which to learn.