Waterloo's Elizabeth Ziegler Public School closed for rest of week over safety concerns
School board says there is a 'recent concern discovered with the facade of the school'
Elizabeth Ziegler Public School in Waterloo, Ont., will be closed for the rest of the week after safety concerns were raised about the building's facade.
The Waterloo Region District School Board says facility services staff and contractors will be at the school to conduct structural testing. The exact concerns with the facade of the school were not released.
The school board had initially made the decision to close the school on Tuesday. At that time, the plan was to keep the school closed for only two days: Tuesday and Wednesday. On Wednesday, the public school board decided to to extend the closure to include Thursday and Friday.
The school closure will be followed by March Break, which means students won't be back in class until March 17.
Before and after school programs run at the school are also closed.
"The decision to close the Elizabeth Ziegler building was made out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of students and staff," the board said in a statement. "During this closure, families are asked not to access the school building or the property."
A sign on the school's front lawn says there is road work underway on Moore Avenue. In an emailed statement, the city of Waterloo told CBC News there is no link between the road work and the school closure.
Students will move to remote learning for the next two days.
"We know that a school closure can be disruptive for students and families. Staff and contractors are working to open the school safely and as quickly as possible," the board said.
The school's building was constructed in 1931 and is an example of the Gothic Revival style. A primary classroom wing was added to the school in 1954 and a gym was built in 1986. Further renovations to the Kindergarten wing were made in 2013.