Bats Postpone First Day Of School In Elmhurst
CHICAGO (CBS) – Jefferson Elementary School, in Elmhurst, postponed Thursday the first day of school after bats were found in the building.
Two bats were discovered Wednesday hiding in a multipurpose room, according to an Elmhurst District 205 release. School was closed Thursday, which would have been the first day back for students.
The bats were most likely as the result of building maintenance. Elmhurst District 205 officials consulted with the DuPage County Department of Animal Control and the Health Department throughout the week.
The bats were sent to the county for rabies testing. The results were negative. As a precautionary, the school was closed Friday as well.
United Bat Control inspected the building. The school also went through a thorough cleaning, including all desks, chairs and surfaces; as well as a deep cleaning of the multipurpose room.
In addition to cleaning, District 205 crews inspected the building in the evening and early mornings the last few days, to be sure no other bats remained.
No bats have been found inside the school for the last 48 hours.
Jefferson School anticipates beginning school on Monday, Aug. 22. Parents will receive an email and phone call by the principal, over the weekend, with an update.