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“Mr. Hayes is at home resting and recovering. He is taking time for himself and looking forward to when he is able to return,” said the Saskatoon Public School Board when 650 CKOM inquired about his condition.
In a post on GoFundMe on Sunday, Allie Cameron said she was a friend and colleague of teacher Sean Hayes and that he “went above and beyond to save a student’s life,” while putting his own safety at risk.
It was a quiet morning as students and staff entered the halls of Evan Hardy Collegiate in Saskatoon for the first time after a Grade 9 girl was set on fire in the school on Thursday.
Classes resumed on Tuesday for a half day, as some students may find the return challenging. Many students and staff members wore purple, the favourite colour of the victim, to show their support as they headed back into the classroom. The school said refreshments will be provided and counselling support will be available to all students.
One Grade 12 student said he had mixed feelings about returning to school just five days after the tragedy, which left the victim in hospital with severe injuries.
“It still feels weird to be back. (It’s) crazy. School is supposed to be a safe place for students, and after what happened inside I’m not sure especially younger students are feeling safe still, considering everything that has gone down,” he said, though he noted that he personally feels safe going back into the classroom.
Police cruisers and officers greeted those outside to provide a safe environment for students and staff. The police response time to the fire on Thursday was quick, as a school resource officer was already on the scene for a different matter.
Patricia Elvin admitted she was a little nervous dropping off her daughter, a Grade 9 student, at Evan Hardy Collegiate on Tuesday.
“She’s been a little nervous. Her friend is really good friends with the (victim). She is feeling guilty, and my daughter is trying to be there for her,” Elvin said.
Elvin said she couldn’t decide if it’s a good or bad thing that the kids are going back into the classroom less than a week after the attack, but she called it a step forward.
Signs with “Get Well Soon” and flowers greeted staff and students in addition to police officers as classes return to Evan Hardy Collegiate for the first time since a 15-year-old girl was set on fire by a 14-year-old girl. (Shane Clausing/650 CKOM)
The grandmother of the injured girl said the 15-year-old is in an Edmonton hospital with a long road to recovery ahead, but declined to provide details about her condition.
Ghulam Butt’s daughter is a Grade 12 student. He said he was happy the school was reopened to let students move past the events.
“It’s very good that they open the school so that kids are back to school. We have police officers here and teachers here to welcome them, so it’s good for them,” he said.
The alleged attacker, a 14-year-old student, is due back in court on Wednesday. She is facing charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault and arson.
Evan Hardy Collegiate is open for half a day since a 15-year-old girl was set on fire by a 14-year-old girl. (Shane Clausing/650 CKOM)
An online fundraiser set up to help the victim’s family with travel and other costs had raised more than $65,000 as of Tuesday morning.
Saskatoon psychologist Dr. Adam Stacey said it’s important that parents create a safe place where their children feel comfortable when talking to them about the attack.
–with files from 650 CKOM’s Shane Clausing