ALIEF – The orderly procession of parents greeting their kids outside Klentzman Intermediate School on Friday belied the disorderly invasion occurring in several of the school's classrooms.
"It's a great concern," said one parent.
"I'm worried," another added.
Many parents were worried about bed bugs that school officials said teachers began noticing about two weeks ago.
"It makes me very worried because it can get into her clothes," said Rose Shepperd. "It can get into anything that she can bring home."
It remains unclear how the outbreak began. The district has brought in extra cleaning crews to treat the impacted area and sent a note home urging parents to take precautions, such as placing their kids' backpacks and lunch pails in plastic bags.
"If they do their part and the school is cleaned thoroughly today and on weekends, we can control this situation and stop the spread of these bed bugs," said Alief ISD Spokesman Craig Eichhorn.
Some parents were already following the district's advice.
"We have to be careful," said Lawrence Ogu. "We have to be careful, because it's very dangerous."
Shepperd just hoped the situation wouldn't get any worse.
"I don't feel good about it at all," she said.
Officials said there were no confirmed reports of anyone being bitten.
Cleanup crews planned to use heat to try and kill the bugs. They were expected to continue their work in the school throughout the weekend.
