Sacred Heart School in Glyndon suffered a malfunction of the sprinkler system on the side of the building Jan. 24, causing administrators to cancel classes until Feb. 3.
All Catholic Schools Week’s activities, including an open house scheduled for Jan. 31, are cancelled.
Jan Peck, the school’s director of development, said the burst pipe caused major flooding in the school cafeteria and some second-floor classrooms. The school’s gym “is safe,” she said.
“Children had just been dismissed so they were not in danger,” Peck added.
Sacred Heart is undergoing damage assessment and repairs. The school is looking to re-schedule its open house.
In a letter to families, principal Sheri Wright said, “Although we are still assessing the extent of the damage, we know that in addition to the physical damage to ceilings, carpets, walls, books and furnishings, internal and external communication systems were damaged, including phone, intercom, fire alarm and sprinkler systems.”
Wright said seven total school days will be lost. To make up those days, she said, “we will use our remaining three snow days and are looking at Easter and other professional days. We will also be in consultation with the (interim) Superintendent (Barbara Edmondson) regarding the extraordinary nature of this emergency for possible exemption.”
Wright wrote that teachers will be posting on their websites “optional learning activities for reinforcement, extension and to keep their skills sharp.”