From District 230:
Following thorough inspections and testing by North Palos Fire Protection District and other area first responders as well as Nicor Gas, safety officials are confident that the Stagg High School building is safe to hold school on Thursday.
School administration will continue to work with local safety officials to investigate the source of the unusual smell in a math classroom at the school that lead to a precautionary evacuation of students and staff.
Eleven students and four staff members were taken to area hospitals as a precautionary measure. At the time of this message the majority have already been released.
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On Thursday, students will begin the day at 8 a.m. in their 4A classroom in order to retrieve their belongings. They will then proceed to first hour. Zero hour classes will be cancelled for Stagg High School on Thursday.
“I would like to commend the Stagg High School administration, staff and students for working together in order to maintain a safe environment during this situation,” said Superintendent Dr. James Gay.
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“I also appreciate the professionalism and support of North Palos Fire Protection District, Palos Hills Police Department and all other first responders. We appreciate the patience and understanding of families, as well, as we maintain a safe learning environment at Stagg High School,” he said.
Update, 3:50 p.m.
All after school activities at the school scheduled for tonight, including A Christmas Carol, have been cancelled, according to school officials. Fire officials are still investigating the source of the smell.
Sources say that a total of seven people were transported by ambulance from the school, including six students and one staff member. The individuals were transported "as a precaution."
Update, 2:55 p.m.
Students have been dismissed from the churches where they were being held during the evacuation, they were not allowed back into the building.
Students said that they were ushered out of the school after several students reported a strange smell.
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Emergency crews are currently on the scene at Stagg High School where a natural gas leak has been reported.
District 230 sent the following robo-call message to parents, alerting them to a precautionary evacuation.
As a precautionary measure Stagg High School students and staff are being evacuated from the campus to an offsite location following the indication of an unusual smell in a mathematics classroom.
Students and staff will return to campus once the all clear is provided by local fire and police officials. More information will be shared with families once it is available. Thank you.
Students were led off of school grounds and into nearby churches as crews work to assess the possible leak at the school, located at 8015 W 111th St.
Return for more information as this story develops further.
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