UPDATED: Crews Working to Restore Power at F.A. Day Middle School

Updated 9:57 p.m.

According to Newton Public Schools Coordinator of Communication and Community Engagement Megan Smallidge, repairs have been made and the power is back on at F.A. Day Middle School. School will resume tomorrow as scheduled. 

6 p.m.

According to Newton Public Schools Coordinator of Communication and Community Engagement Megan Smallidge, the school department is "optimistic" the power will be restored at F.A. Day in time for school tomorrow. 

In the event that the school does need to be closed, the School Department will notify parents/caregivers in the same way that they notify families of a snow day, using the voice messaging system, Smallidge said.

The district's hotline for school closure is (617) 559-9699. Parents/caregivers can also check the district's website as well as Newton Patch for updates.

--

Posted earlier:

Crews working at F.A. Day Middle School are hoping to restore power this afternoon after a transformer was damaged earlier today. 

According to an email from Newton Public Schools Coordinator of Communication and Community Engagement Megan Smallidge, workers were tying in a new water loop to feed the sprinkler system when part of the wall slipped, undermining the duct bank and pulling power away from the electrical transformer.

This caused a power outage and damage to the transformer as well as some leakage of electrical coolant, Smallidge said. 

F.A. Day is currently undergoing a renovation and expansion that started over the summer. A state sprinkler law requires a new sprinkler system to be installed in the renovated building.

Smallidge said she spoke with the School Department Chief of Operations Mike Cronin this afternoon, who said the Newton Fire Department responded to the scene to assess the situation and ensure safety.

According to scanner reports from earlier today, the incident was called in around 12:30 p.m. After arriving on scene, the Fire Department requested NSTAR step up its response time after they found the transformer was leaking. 

Officials said the coolant that has leaked is not toxic. Crews have located a backup generator to try to enable the building with temporary power.

The School Department said the issue is still being worked on and is "hopeful" the power will be back on before school tomorrow.

The department will communicate with more information on the status of the building later today. Stay tuned to Newton Patch for updates.