Ione Elementary School Closes Due to Flea Infestation

News Summary

Ione Elementary School in Amador County has temporarily closed following a flea infestation affecting several classrooms. The school district took immediate action to ensure the safety of students and staff, implementing comprehensive pest control measures. Affected families were informed promptly, and meal services were provided during the closure. As concerns about the school environment grow, the district remains committed to resolving the issue swiftly.

Ione, California – Ione Elementary School in Amador County closed its doors on Wednesday following the discovery of a flea infestation in the portables situated at the back of the campus. This decision was prompted by a confirmed spread of fleas that affected several classrooms, resulting in immediate action by the school district to ensure the safety of students and staff.

The Amador County Unified School District notified families through a series of emails on September 2, detailing the situation and outlining next steps. Reports indicated that parents received the notifications on short notice, creating concern among families about the suddenness of the closure. Concerns about the school environment had already begun to arise after reports from students about fleas.

Ronnie Gould, a parent of two children at Ione Elementary, noted changes in her son’s classroom after a classmate reported seeing a flea. As a precaution, the class was relocated to the cafeteria, raising questions among parents about prior knowledge of the infestation. Despite the sudden nature of the closure, some parents were already aware of issues persistently affecting the school.

According to the superintendent’s office, the initial discovery of fleas was made in a couple of classrooms late the previous week. Subsequent investigations revealed widespread infestations, leading to the decision for an emergency closure. The primary goal was to implement comprehensive pest control measures to eliminate the fleas and ensure a safe environment for students and staff prior to their return, which was planned for Thursday.

To assist affected families during this closure, the Amador County Unified School District coordinated with food services to offer meals at Ione Junior High’s multipurpose room. Drive-by service for families was available from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., recognizing the challenges posed by the sudden school closure.

Experts reaffirmed that flea infestations often stem from problems associated with rodents or the presence of dead animals. Lynn Kimsey, a professor emeritus at UC Davis, acknowledged the importance of controlling rodent populations as a significant factor in managing flea issues. The district’s quick response reflects an understanding of these expert recommendations and showcases their commitment to student health and safety.

The district utilized one of its two scheduled emergency closure days to address the infestation issue effectively. However, the specific causes of the flea reports prior to the closure remain unclear, leaving parents concerned about the management of pests in the school environment.

The district communicated the situation swiftly to parents as it evolved, highlighting the necessary actions taken in response to the infestation. As the community awaits further developments, it remains focused on ensuring that Ione Elementary School can reopen safely and sustain a healthy learning environment for all students.

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Additional Resources

• KCRA: Flea Infestation at Ione Elementary School
• Wikipedia: Flea
• Fox40: Amador County School Closure
• Google Search: Flea Infestation News
• Fox13: Berclair Elementary Flea Infestation Details
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Pest
• Local Memphis: Flea Infestation at Berclair Elementary
• Google News: Berclair Elementary Flea Infestation