No damage reported after student lights small fire in Jacobs classroom

Hull police and school officials are investigating after a Jacobs Elementary School student allegedly lit a small fire in a classroom Tuesday afternoon.
Principal Christine Cappadona and Hull School Resource Officer Leanne Marshalsea were informed that, around 2 p.m., a fifth grade student had used a box of matches to light a stack of tissues on fire in the corner of one the school's technology classrooms.
Between periods, the student allegedly entered an empty classroom. When he was determined to be missing, a teacher went to investigate and saw the student exiting the classroom. Moments later, another teacher went into the classroom and discovered the fire. The teacher was able to grab the stack of tissues and put the fire out in the classroom sink.
The fire was very small and was contained to just the stack of tissues, according to a joint press statement issued by schools Superintendent Michael Devine and Police Chief John Dunn.
Because the blaze was so small, the fire alarms did not sound and school maintenance staff were able to quickly vent and clean the classroom.
Administrators retrieved the matches from the student, who has been removed from the school on an emergency basis. The Hull Police Department is investigating, but because of the student's age, criminal charges are not possible. Police are advising and offering resources to the school district.
No one was injured, and there was no damage to the building or any school materials.
"I want to commend teachers and staff at the Jacobs Elementary School for their swift actions that led to a quick resolution without injury or damage to school property," the superintendent said.

Jacobs kids will compete in Turkey Trot Wednesday morning

Principal Christine Cappadona said that the Lillian M. Jacobs Elementary School will host its ninth annual Turkey Trot at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Following a pep rally at the school  on Harborview Road, fourth- and fifth-grade students compete in the Turkey Trot. Teachers will keep track and record their students’ times as they complete the 1.2-mile race. An awards celebration for all participants and their families will be held in the gym following the race and all students will be awarded with a finisher’s medal and certificate of completion.

The overall winner and the top three girls and boys from each grade will earn additional awards, which were donated by the Hull PTO and Lori Tobin from SporTobin.

In the days leading up to the race, the school is hosting a food drive, where canned goods are collected in classrooms and donated to the local food pantry at Wellspring. Parents and residents who would like to donate to the food drive can drop off items at the school lobby up until Wednesday morning.

"The students have been training all fall for this in their physical education classes and on their own," Cappadona said. "We look forward to the pep rally and the race every year, and it's a great way to begin the Thanksgiving celebration."