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The school is about one block from the river - and - since Monday - the foul odors coming off the polluted waterway have been inundating the school, forcing some kids to put on masks. The Principal - Lenny Umana - who's coping, but clearly exasperated - told CTV-3 today that they have few options:...

Lenny Umana, Principal, La Inmaculada
"Up to today we have notice that the environment has not gotten better. It has gotten worse. Day 1 and 2 which was Monday and Tuesday was manageable, but today it is up the charts when it comes to the bad smell. I do believe though that the administration is following the right protocol as to how to get this situation remedied, because a solution to it I can't see it in the horizon any time soon. we have already approached our managements, the ministry of education and the ministry of health. So everybody is coming together to see how they can address the problem here at La Inmaculada School. I am glad that the ministry of health has taken a proactive step in coming in to analyze, see what we are facing first-hand so they can make a report to the ministry and that is all happening currently as we speak."

"Our students have been coping as well. They have been coping along with the teachers. We have had about 3-4 students that have gone home due to felling an upset stomach, feeling irritated. We also have been asking our administration to be alert, because we need to make these documentations, so that we can make a valid report. So far there are about 3-4 students have left. Some parents have refused to send their children to school. That again is their right as parents. We also have rules and regulations that govern us as teachers and how we are to proceed. We are on that as well. Some parents have also been giving children their little masks to put on to protect them, which is very good. They are being proactive. Unfortunately, a few children would remove it, they don't want it, but they don't see the hazards that comes with it. So, right now I Must congratulate the parents that have found that means of how can I help and we really appreciate it. The health department is coming in to assist us in maybe some solutions and giving us some recommendations how we can best cope with the situation that is currently at hand. I feel the ministry of education has become very involved to figure out how they can help a school like ours - 1,035 students is a displacement of huge numbers and just like we think about a child's health, we also value their education and this will bring an impact if this school locks down for indefinite, because I don't have an answer how long it will go. This is our school trying their best for the school community. Our school cannot fix the river, cannot change the situation, but we can look at measures that will benefit our children. So be patient, we are working to find any possible solution that can fix our current situation at school. Facebook is not the best place for our school to handle a situation that the school is facing. I have a thousand parents - find a a way to let me know and I am being sincere. Dont come and tell me to get the river fixed, or get my administration to do it. We cannot. We are in your same situation and my biggest concern if when my kids leave here if that is the end result and have to close down the school, what happens when they reach home and that smell is still there? That is my question and wherever I turn in Orange Walk, that smell is there."

Late news is that based on the assessments of public health inspectors - the Ministry of Health is recommending that classed be cancelled Thursday and Friday - and then the inspectors will go back on the ground on Monday and see what the situation is. In regards to health issues - the Director of Health Services told CTV-3 he doesn't see any long term effects - but this will have to be studied more.

But, we stress, the Ministry of Education could not confirm the position this evening. Unofficial reports from the community say that the students may have to be relocated to temporary facilities since the condition of the river is not expected to drastically improve anytime soon.