Parents and teachers at an elementary school in Northeast D.C. say they\u2019re concerned after raccoon droppings and paw prints were found inside.<\/p>\n
Images from inside Noyes Elementary School appear to show traces of raccoons. In one photo shared by the Washington Teachers\u2019 Union, what appears to be a raccoon paw print can be seen on the page of a children\u2019s book.<\/p>\n
Five raccoons have been captured so far, the Department of General Services said. From May 3 to June 5, the department and wildlife experts have conducted daily trap checks, canine-assisted inspections, thermal imaging scans and cleanings of affected areas.<\/p>\n
Parents told News4 that concerns about raccoons in the building have grown for weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, my guy has talked about the raccoon, although it was not specifically in his classroom. But the children at ages 6, 7, and 8 \u2013 it\u2019s a phenomenon to them. It’s exciting,\u201d Deborah Gaddis said. \u201cThey don’t recognize the danger of these things at those ages, and we do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Raccoon feces can have parasites called raccoon roundworm. If ingested or inhaled, it can cause neurological damage.<\/p>\n
The teachers\u2019 union is urging DC Public Schools not to use the school as a summer school site this year and instead undertake a comprehensive raccoon abatement plan and an intensive, building\u2011wide cleaning before the start of the next school year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it needs a deep cleaning. You know, it could be feces, anything that\u2019s around that can affect the kids,\u201d another parent said. \u201cI think it’s a good idea to close it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Families said the school has kept them informed about the raccoons but that they want to see more visible action to make sure the problem is fully addressed.<\/p>\n
\u201cGive us a little more confidence in the day instead of us worrying about our children when we are in our offices working,\u201d Gaddis said.<\/p>\n
DGS said crews sealed potential entry points and installed cameras to monitor any future activity. They said they\u2019ll keep monitoring the situation until there is no more raccoon activity.<\/p>\n