A strange week got even stranger for Bellwood-Antis Thursday after a malfunctioning boiler sent students home at 9 a.m. due to cold temperatures.
The dismissal came on the same day students returned from having two flexible instruction days due to sub-zero morning temperatures that closed all schools in Blair County on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Students arrived at school on time but were quickly informed that temperatures in the building would be took cold to remain in class in person.
Early Thursday, an email was sent out to B-A families stating the following:
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We regret to inform you that the boilers at Bellwood-Antis Middle School and High School have malfunctioned and are unable to produce heat. As a result, the school building is too cold to remain in session.
For the safety of our students, we will be dismissing all middle and high school students at 8:45 AM today. Buses will transport students home at that time.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may cause and want to assure you that we have taken every possible step to address the issue. We are working diligently to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.
The closure added to the list of strange events in the district this year that have kept students out of the classroom. Along with the weather closures this week, the high school and middle school were closed for a week leading up to Christmas as a result of a fire in the middle school wrestling room.
Students seemed unfazed by the closure, and many looked forward to the extra day off.
“It feels pretty awesome,” said senior Devon VanOrmer. “We should just have the whole week off.”
Gavin McElwain said the unexpected time off made it the “best senior year ever.”
Classes are expected to resume Friday, and many events planned for the school on Thursday are going forward as of now, including PMEA District Band and the girls basketball game against Bishop Guilfoyle.
It adds into what continues to be a unique year for students at Bellwood-Antis.
“So much has been compacted into one marking period,” said senior Liam Maule. “It makes you wonder what’s next.”