Marlene Pukanich captured this photo of the Bush Creek East fire as it moved towards North Shuswap communities including Celista, where North Shuswap Elementary is located, on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. Pukanich said the photo “somehow doesn’t capture just how close big and rolling the flames were.” While some grass around the school burned, the Shuswap Emergency Program later confirmed the structure remained intact. (Marlene Pukanich photo)

Marlene Pukanich captured this photo of the Bush Creek East fire as it moved towards North Shuswap communities including Celista, where North Shuswap Elementary is located, on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. Pukanich said the photo “somehow doesn’t capture just how close big and rolling the flames were.” While some grass around the school burned, the Shuswap Emergency Program later confirmed the structure remained intact. (Marlene Pukanich photo)

School District 83 preparing to reopen North Shuswap Elementary School

Students to begin their school year on Sept. 19.

Preparations are underway for the reopening of North Shuswap Elementary School.

School District 83 said the school will be welcoming students back on Tuesday, Sept. 19. Before the school reopens it will undergo a thorough cleaning and inspection.

Due to the Bush Creek East wildfire and related evacuation orders still in effect at the start of the school year, plans were in place for North Shuswap Elementary students to temporarily attend Carlin Elementary Middle School, starting Monday, Sept. 11. The Columbia Shuswap Regional District began downgrading evacuation orders to alerts on Wednesday, Sept. 6, enabling the school district to begin readying the North Shuswap school for its reopening. The first day school day for North Shuswap Elementary students will now be the 19th.

North Shuswap Elementary School was not damaged in the fire and power has since been restored.

This story has been updated with new information provided by the school district.

lachlan@saobserver.net
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