Highland Middle School

​Dear Husky Families,

I want to update you on the events that took place this afternoon at Highland Middle School.  At approximately 2:45, all students and staff were evacuated from the main building due to the ignition of a lithium ion battery that was located inside a student Chromebook on a second-floor classroom.  Ault-Pierce was notified immediately of the event; they in-turn notified the Ault Police Department.  Our first responders took over the scene at that point.  The building remained evacuated until approximately 3:45 when the fire department notified us that the air quality had reached safe levels for returning to the building.  Paramedics responded to the school; out of an abundance of caution, all students and staff who were in the immediate vicinity of the ignition were screened by paramedics prior to being released.

Weld RE-9 maintenance has reached out to Servepro to complete a thorough deep cleaning of the school building tonight to ensure the environment will be safe for school tomorrow.  The Servepro technicians were very confident the building could be thoroughly cleaned this evening and were confident the building would be safe for students tomorrow.  The plan is to have a normal school day tomorrow.

At the recommendation of the paramedics that responded today, if your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms you should contact your healthcare provider:  Nausea, vomiting, chest pains, dizziness, difficulty breathing, headache, or sore throat.  If you do seek medical attention, please alert your provider that you are concerned about possible lithium ion battery smoke inhalation.

I want to compliment all students and staff for their quick and cooperative response to the situation this afternoon.  Our kids were great; they did exactly what they were asked to do by both teachers and first responders.  I want to thank parents for your understanding and cooperation if your child was late getting home as bus schedules were delayed to accommodate health screenings for many students.  Thank you to parents who came to pick up your child is he or she was asked to remain on campus by the first responders for one reason or another.  I also want to thank our first responders as they worked diligently to ensure that all students were safe prior to releasing students at the end of the day.  It was truly a group effort and I want to thank everyone involved.

Sincerely,

Clay Naughton

Principal

Highland Middle & High School

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