Some new Brunswick students are actually hiding from bats-flying creatures-and their high school is invaded.
More than twenty animals with wings were found in the walls of Tobic Valley High School in NB
Teagan O’Neil-Gamblin, a 7th grader, said he first spotted a bat last Friday after a classmate ran into the classroom to escape.
He said: “When she came in, I went to the bathroom and I saw (bats) around the corner of the corridor, like a reversal, almost asleep.”
His mother, Crystal O’Neil, said another parent reached out to her and reported that her child was chased down the corridor on Friday.
“As a result, these sonar machines turned around on Friday, which kind of awakened the bats like hibernation,” O’Neal said.
“It made them a little crazy. Then the buildings were closed all weekend.”
By Monday, news about bats was spreading.
“We went to the first phase and announced that we needed to close because the bats roamed around,” said O’Neil-Gamblin.
Get national news
For news that affects Canada and around the world, please sign up for breaking news alerts that were sent directly to you at that time.
“We had to close the door all day.”
At that time, staff told students that 10 bats were found, he said.
By Tuesday, the nerves were over.
He said: “I really hoped there was no school on Tuesday, but then there was a school.
His mother said staying in the classroom again Thursday after another student was chased by a bat.
“I’m grateful that no one bites a little. But I think it’s just a matter of time when someone wants to bite,” she said.
“Bats are known for a variety of diseases. It’s just something I want my kids to touch or get involved in any way.”
She is also worried about air quality. Parents heard there was bird droppings or bat droppings in the school loft.
“Ventury is a huge concern for most parents,” she said.
“They care about these bats waking up – if they do have disease, if rabies is a problem, they’ll worry that the child will bite.”
West in an emailed statement, the Anglophone School District confirmed that about 28 bats had been removed.
“Many people are found in areas far from the school population. We have interacted with third-party companies to check and evaluate the presence of bird droppings and provide emission reduction solutions to prevent future problems,” spokesman Paul Macintosh wrote.
Macintosh also said that loft space has no effect on the ventilation of the school.
Meanwhile, the new Brunswick Teachers Federation told Global News that it will “stay alert to monitor the district’s response” and said it is an employer’s “obligation” to protect the health and safety of all people.
O’Neal said she and other parents advocated school closures and problems were properly resolved.
She has two children in school and doesn’t want to miss classes because the high school workload is high, but she is worried about their concentration level and health.
“In all of this, no one learns any math or English in the building, so it’s better to turn it off, clean it up and then everyone’s thoughts will be assured that they can be better focused in the building,” she said.
& Copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
