Many schools and daycares were evacuated on Friday because of concerns about roofs.
Van Buren Moody Elementary School, at 300 Country Club Road in Middletown, was evacuated because of structural concerns due to the strain of the snow and students from Frederick J. Bielefield School in Middletown were brought to Vivian McRae Wesley School. Structural engineers will work through the weekend to evaluate the integrity of the school roofs.
Apple Tree Children's Center, at 800 East St., in Middletown was evacuated. Children were bought to the Westfield Fire Department down the street.
Middletown canceled all activities for Friday through Sunday at Woodrow Wilson Middle School to remove snow from the roofs and parking lots. The city of Hartford canceled all after-school activities on Friday and all weekend events in the schools to remove snow and ice from the roofs.
In Waterbury, Crosby High School and Wallace Middle School were evacuated form the building for a brief period of time and the students were allowed back in after the school inspector's office determined that the roof over the entire complex was sound.
In Milford, 600 students were brought from East Shore Middle School to Joseph A. Foran High School for the day, the New Haven Register reports.
Schools in Naugatuck were closed on Friday over roof concerns. Portland Middle and High School released students early on Friday and there will be no school on Monday due to wall cracks observed in the kitchen and cafeteria areas. A snow removal company has been contracted to clear off the roofs and a structural engineer will also check the entire building.
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In Ellington, Superintendent Stephen Cullinan is looking for volunteers to assist with clearing off school roofs. Anyone interested can meet at one of the schools on Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. Cullinan also said any injuries resulting from shoveling is covered by insurance for up to $10,000.
The Connecticut Technical High School System is also taking steps over the next week to clear snow and ice from its school roofs as a precaution. The Superintendent has asked each school’s maintenance crews and specialists to remove snow from the roofs, clear drains and gutters, and remove drifts of snow and ice from around the building. They begin working this weekend on Wolcott Tech in Torrington, Wilcox Tech in Meriden, Bristol Tech in Bristol, Prince Tech in Hartford and Windham Tech in Windham. The remainder of the school buildings will be cleared on Monday.
