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Needles found at school

More than 50 needles were discovered on Harwood Elementary grounds Friday morning
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Harwood Elementary students are being warned about the risks involved with discarded needles. (photo submitted)

Parents are being warned after discarded needles were found at a Vernon school.

More than 50 needles were discovered on Harwood Elementary grounds Friday morning.

“To ensure all students and staff are safe, our staff scoured the entire grounds, parking lot entrances, parking lot and back alley prior to 8 a.m.,” said principal Lance Johnson in a letter sent out to parents.

“We kept students off of the grass and playground equipment area and only let them stay on the asphalt until the morning bell at 8:25 a.m. to ensure their safety. We kept students in at recess as well as I wanted our school district maintenance staff to have enough time to complete a more thorough check of the entire school property, rake up the leaves so we can see underneath them and dig up all of the gravel in the playground equipment area.”

Cleanup was concluded by lunch and some classes went outside after the rain had stopped.

The RCMP were also on scene and the goal is for officers to increase patrols of the area.

“Each classroom teacher also reviewed needle safety with our students,” said Johnson.

“Doug Rogers, our school district substance abuse and prevention counsellor, will be visiting all of our classrooms and going through a needle safety presentation with each of them.”

According to Johnson, there was a team effort to ensure the school grounds were safe.

“I am very proud of our school and our school community. It’s times like this when the character of a community steps forward and we saw that today (Friday),” he said.