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L.C. Bird High to reopen Monday following fiery van crash

Posted at 7:25 PM, Jan 25, 2015
and last updated 2015-01-25 19:28:57-05

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. — Classes will resume Monday for students at L.C. Bird High School in Chesterfield County.

Classes were canceled Thursday and Friday as crews worked to clean up the school after a stolen van slammed into the building early Thursday morning.

Students are being asked to wear Skyhawks gear Monday.

The following email from the principal of L.C. Bird was sent to parents Sunday evening:

Good evening, this is Laura Hebert, principal of Bird High School with some exciting and important updates regarding the opening of school on Monday morning.

Tomorrow is GO TIME!  We will be open for business at our normal time, and I am excited to welcome each of you back.

We are asking the students to wear Skyhawks gear to show that we are Skyhawk Strong.

When your student arrives, he or she will notice an increased police presence out of an abundance of caution. These officers will also be a resource for any student, teacher or parent who may have information they feel like they need to share.

A special announcement for ninth- and 10th-grade Health and Physical Education classes: all ninth graders will remain in health for the next week; 10th graders will remain in Physical Education.  Other than that, school will operate on a normal schedule.

Athletic events will take place as scheduled; however, the Juvenile Court Driver’s License presentation has been moved to Thomas Dale High School.

Students and visitors may notice some cosmetic issues that will be addressed over the next few days and weeks; however, the necessary repairs have been made to restore the building to working order.  Our building has been checked and rechecked by the school division’s Facilities team, including the Environmental Health and Safety Office folks. The county’s Fire Marshal, a representative from the Building Inspector’s Office and also from the Health Department have been constant partners as well.

We are ready to be back. We are ready to show we are Skyhawk Strong.

Thanks and have a great evening…see you tomorrow!

Multiple police sources said the van was swiped from the 6200 block of Barrister Road, about half a mile from L.C. Bird High School.

Those sources told CBS 6 News that someone strapped a landscaping brick to the accelerator pedal of the van and let it slam into the front entrance of the Chesterfield high school.

Sources said that a spinning tire may be what triggered the early morning fire.

Classes were canceled Thursday and Friday as crews worked to repair the school. All weekend activities like basketball games were moved to other locations.

RELATED: Homeowner near L.C. Bird saw teen suspects on run after fiery van crash