Detroit Public Schools Close Early Due To Power Outage
DETROIT (WWJ) - Multiple Detroit school buildings were plunged into darkness Tuesday — affected by a widespread power outage in downtown Detroit.
Detroit Public Schools spokesman Steve Wasko said, due to the outage, all schools in the district would be closed at their half-day dismissal time. For some schools, that is as early at 11:15 a.m.
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"We're following the procedure that our parents are very aware of; and that is, for their normal half-day dismissal time — and as I noted that's different for different schools," Wasko said.
For students who do not take the bus, Wasko said school officials are asking that parents come pick up their kids.
Wasko stresses that the safety of their students is their paramount concern."And I want t note the fact that no child will be released without a parent having been contacted first," he said.
Wasko said, when possible, students will be fed their school lunch before they leave.
All DPS after school and evening programs were canceled Tuesday.
According to sources, the downtown Detroit electrical grid failed at around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Streets lights were out, as well as power to fire stations, the courthouse, and some buildings on the campus Wayne State University. WSU canceled Tuesday classes and evening activities on the Main Campus only.
The People Mover shut down due to the outage, and the Detroit Institute of Arts and Detroit Historical Museum were closed for the remainder of the day.
MORE: Massive Detroit Power Outage Affects Courthouse, Public Schools, WSU, DIA And More