Police are investigating after a body, which middle schoolers came across during a community cleanup, was found in a South Pointe field.
A public information officer has confirmed there is an investigation into a "suspicious event" in connection to what a group of École South Pointe School students and staff found when they were walking around their community on Friday.
Const. Claude Chancy said it remains unclear whether the Winnipeg Police Service will release more details on the incident at a later date due to privacy concerns.
School administration informed families about the "unusual and traumatic event" via email on Friday afternoon so parents were aware and could support their children.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Police carry bags of evidence from the scene where a body was found in a field near Waverley Street and Tim Sale Drive in Winnipeg on Friday.
"Today during our community cleanup, some of our Grade 7 and 8 students discovered a very disturbing scene in the field on the west side of Tim Sale and south of Waverley… The police confirmed that what the children saw was a dead body," states the notice.
The email indicates teachers immediately had the children return to school property and police were called.
Both a school social worker and psychologist met with children and staff who were affected by the situation Friday. "They provided a space for the students to talk about what they saw and what they were feeling," the administration said.
The crisis response team is expected to return to the K-8 building next week.
maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca
Twitter: @macintoshmaggie
Maggie Macintosh
Reporter
Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Winnipeg Free Press. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative.
