Siksika school's broken boiler shuts students out of class
Repairs supposed to be done over Christmas break still not completed
Some parents and community members of the Siksika First Nation are rallying to get their local elementary school back open.
The boiler at Crowfoot Elementary School broke down at the end of November, leaving the building without heat.
Students continued to attend, wearing winter coats and boots and using space heaters.
Officials then closed the school, promising repairs would be completed during Christmas break.
But the students and their parents are still waiting.
“We want something done, and we want something done now. We're in the middle of winter and our children are suffering,” said Carmen Wells, who has two children who attend the school.
Frustrated parents held a rally outside the band office on Thursday.
School board chair Hector Winnipeg, who also sits on the Siksika band council, says it’s hoped the repairs will be partially done by Monday.
"We've got our superintendent working on the plan in order for these youth will be in school, once we have those plans in place we will certainly pass that on to the parents.”
The broken boiler is just the latest problem at the school, which has about 160 students from preschool to Grade 6.
It was also badly damaged by flooding, leaving only a portion of the facility usable because of mould.