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A low level gas leak from a newly installed stove at the FCS room led to OT Fire Company, People’s Gas, and the administration choosing to send students home on Friday, September 5th.
“I was really excited, but I found it annoying that we had to wait for so long for them to make a decision.” – Dylan Puck 9th grade
“The gas leak was very exhilarating because we didn’t really know what was going on. But I think the teachers handled it fantastically. And we got to go home!” said Zoya Carlone, 9th grade.
The fire alarm started at the end of Mod B, followed by about an hour until students and teachers moved up to the football field as People’s Gas arrived to further investigate the source and level of gas leak.
“So my teacher told us to bring our stuff so I had a feeling that was what was happening […] I heard people talking about the gas leak” (Stella McCoy, Grade 11)
One question remains after the evacuation. How will No cell, Bell to Bell impact future emergency situations. Should students assume they can use their phones or is there another rule?
“I didn’t have my phone until 2:00. I couldn’t contact my dad and he was worried about me. Not having my phone made me kind of anxious. I also missed my Roblox.”
Talia Colaizzi, freshman, who also noted they were explicitly told by their teacher to not grab cell phone.
Official information from the district, sent to parents and caregivers by the Superintendent that afternoon, read as follows by e-mail:
Hello AMS/AHS Parents and Caregivers,
This message aims to update you on what the fire department and gas company found when they investigated the smell of natural gas at the secondary building this morning. The readings of natural gas inside the building were very low. They isolated the source to gas stoves in the home economics classroom. Peoples Gas placed those appliances out of service, and the district is working with the vendor to repair or replace these appliances.
The building has been cleared and deemed safe by the gas company and fire department. School will resume as normal on Monday. It will be a “Day 2” at the High School.
Picking Up Belongings
We understand some students may need to pick up belongings from the building. The school will be open today until 4:00 PM, and students should enter through the main office entrance. If your student does not need anything over the weekend, belongings may remain at school until Monday.
After School Athletics and Activities
All high school athletics and activities planned for this evening will proceed as scheduled.
All middle school athletics and activities planned for this evening have been canceled/ postponed.
We are incredibly grateful to the Ohio Township Fire Department, the Ohio Township Police, as well as our faculty, staff, and students for handling this situation so well.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we worked through this situation to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Sincerely,
Jeff Hadley, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Avonworth School District
“Best Gas Leak Ever” – Lily Stefanik, 12th grade, arrived at the building as the evacuation began. She was told to park at Lenzer Field by an officer and remained there, as pictured above in her car, until dismissal.
Reporting and photography from Olivia Monkelis, Kara Yackoski, Lily Stefanik, Savannah Hoffman, Melody Zheng, Charlotte Klingenberg, Dylan Puck, Alexandra Eberhardt, Phoebe MacKillop, Lyra Klinedinst, Jada Taylor, Megan Obersteiner, Katelyn Paulat, Trinity Klicker, Grace Caulkins, Lila Caulkins, Sara Stoeckle
