The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – January 31, 2025 – Covington Middle School was evacuated as a precaution today at approximately 2:15 p.m. after an unrecognizable odor was detected at the school.
The evacuation was advised by the Covington Department of Public Works as a precaution. Students and staff conducted an orderly evacuation to the Covington Recreation Center near the school.
“We are very, very pleased by the swift action of many community members to cooperate and help us get our students home under unusual circumstances,” said Kim Halterman and Melinda Snead-Johnson, leaders of Alleghany Highlands Public Schools.
“Our staff will always prioritize student safety. We are thankful for our community’s trust and understanding especially when we must take action to evacuate while also messaging families about details surrounding situations like these. We work diligently to keep students safe and families informed,” Halterman and Snead-Johnson added.
The origin of the odor remains under investigation. AHPS families are encouraged to monitor AHPS communications.
AHPS serves approximately 2,700 students. The school division was created in July 2022 through the merger of Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, and Jackson River Technical Center. The school division is jointly funded by Alleghany County and the City of Covington.
AHPS news and events are regularly updated on Facebook at AHPublicSchools and Instagram at ahpublicschools. Information is also available at www.ahps.k12.va.us.
