Update: Reported gas leak forces elementary students to evacuate

UPDATE 3:15 p.m.:  A gas leak that forced the evacuation of Mount Kisco Elementary School and Hillside has been resolved. Students returned to their respective schools after sheltering at the Fox Lane campus for much of the Oct. 1 school day

In a statment released by the district, officials said all "students and staff are back in their buildings and accounted for."

District officials thanked staff "for the incredible way they came together across schools to follow our emergency response plans.

"From administrators, teachers and aides to our food service provider (Aramark), our transportation supervisor and Towne Bus Company, Fox Lane’s security team and more, everyone came together to make this situation run as smoothly as possible."

Officials said  "students were cared for throughout the day by the best in the business.

"We could not be more grateful to work with such hard-working, compassionate people.

UPDATE: Students will be heading back to Mount Kisco Elementary School and Hillside after being evacuated to the Fox Lane campus earlier today due to a reported gas leak caused by construcitons.

In an 11:30 a.m. update via ParentSquare, Bedford Central School District Spokesperson Jen Garry said  all MKES and Hillside students were safe at Fox Lane HS and that Con Edison had "secured the gas leak."

"Both the fire department and Con Edison have cleared Mount Kisco Elementary School and Hillside.," Garry wrote. "We will be busing students back to MKES and Hillside to resume the school day. Dismissal will proceed at the regularly scheduled time."

The incident, which happened on the morning of Oct. 1. remains ongoing as of this post time.

Officials have asked families not to go to the Fox Lane Campus "for the safety and security of the students."

In a statement, Superintendent Robert Glass said students were safe and with their teachers and administrators.

According to reports, construction contractors struck a gas line; village officials confirmed an outdoor gas leak near Dakin and Highland avenues.

Staff and students detected a strong gas-like odor inside and outside Mount Kisco Elementary School, officials said.

EMS and Con Edison are working to resolve it.

In a subsequent update made via the district's ParentSquare service, spokesperson Jen Garry said EMS had checked and cleared students and staff at the scene and noted that students had been moved to Fox Lane High School, where they were having lunch.

"Three school nurses will be at Fox Lane High School to assist if any medical needs arise," Garry said. "Fox Lane High School leadership is prepared to receive the students and will keep them safe.  MKES students will be held in the auditorium and bathrooms are being reserved for their use only." 

In a 10:11 a.m. update, Garry said the district was waiting for additional information from first responders to see if students can return to their schools.

"If it is not safe to return to the buildings, we will communicate a parent reunification plan at FLHS," she said. "Parents, please begin to think about arrangements for picking up your child in case we need to initiate a parent reunification plan. We are keeping in mind that homes in the area may possibly be impacted. We will keep students safe until you can make alternate arrangements." 

This is a developing story.