Storms Send Bayside Students Home Early

Kids at got an extra day of vacation today when they were sent home about 10:20 a.m. due to a power outage.

"It was a downed tree that affected lines for the school and 35 other residents," District Administrator Rachel Boechler said.

WE Energies has been on scene since early this morning Boechler said, working to remove the downed power lines from the fallen tree. As of 1:30 p.m., there are still 35 people without power according to the WE Energies outage map.

Boechler said the fallen tree isn't on school property, but a neighboring residents' property. WE Engergies has told Boechler that it hopes power will be restored by 2 p.m. today.

But even without power and rainstorms this morning, Boechler says the kids really weren't scared, and almost enjoyed the different type of morning.

"The kids were quite relaxed," she said. "First they were a little excited. They meet in their advisory groups in the morning, so techers' kept them in rooms with the most natural light, keeping them busy with books games, anything without power."

Because the power still had not been restored by 10 a.m., Boechler said they knew it was time to make a decision. Since the restrooms would not be able to have flushing toilets and lunch would need to be served shortly, they decided to send the kids home.

Tuesday school is expected to continue as usual, Boechler said.

"It's a late start day tomorrow, so they won't be in anyway until 10:30 a.m. so we’ll have plenty of time asserting what the situation will be," she said.

Patch will update this article as soon as power is back online for Bayside Middle School.