Bed bugs at SHES prompting closure

OSBURN – The kids may be sleeping tight, but they could not prevent the bed bugs’ bite – At least that’s what the Wallace School District administration is saying.  

In a letter that was sent home to parents of select classrooms at Silver Hills Elementary School, WSD Superintendent Todd Howard explained the situation  

“As you may be aware we are taking precautions at the elementary school to address cases of bed bugs being reported in several classrooms,” Howard’s letter read. “Letters were sent home to parents/guardians of students enrolled in those specific classrooms. If you didn’t receive a letter, then there are no reported cases of bed bugs in your child’s classroom.”  

As of Wednesday, no infestations have been discovered at SHES, but the school is taking proactive measures and will be closing school on Monday, January 13, to allow an exterminator to come into the building and apply pesticides.  

Howard also explained that while the district does not have a specific “bed bug” policy, they are following the same policy guidelines that they would for a potential head lice outbreak.  

Parents of students attending SHES should adhere to or expect the following guidelines:  

- SHES staff will screen suspected students to identify insects before they are allowed to start their day.  

- Upon identification the parent/guardian will be contacted to pickup the child so treatment can begin immediately.  

- Parents/guardians will be provided with educational information to address the infestation.  

- Following treatment, the child will be allowed to return to school. Upon arrival the following can take place:  

   - The child is re-screened to identify insects.  

   - The student is sent back home with their parent to continue treatment.  

   - If allowed to stay at school, the child’s bookbag, coat, and other clothing are placed in a plastic container and the school provides clean clothes to be worn at school.  

- Classrooms, lockers/cubbies, and common areas will be treated with the recommended pesticide on a schedule outlined in the specific incident response plan.  

- If the student rides a school bus the specific bus will be treated with the recommended pesticide daily. 

Silver Hills Elementary School will reopen as usual on Tuesday, January 14.  

For more information, contact Silver Hills Elementary School at (208)556-1556, or the Wallace School District Office at (208)753-4515.