Schools Superintendent Colleen Palmer said today dozens of students reported health issues today at Coleytown Middle School (CMS), site of serious mold problems, and announced the school will be closed Thursday and Friday after the scheduled Wednesday Jewish holiday closing to evaluate the issues.
This Facebook photo shows CMS students waiting to see the nurse today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Photo from Facebook
She made the announcement in an early afternoon email to parents after many of them picked up their youngsters early due to health complaints. One father who picked up his daughter said: “The library was full of sick kids. My daughter said kids were throwing up all around her. Lots of angry parents screaming at staff.”
Palmer also announced that a Thursday 7 p.m. meeting to discuss the mold issues at the school has been shifted to Bedford Middle School. Later, it was announced that the CMS calendar will be extended two days in June to make up for the Thursday and Friday closings.
“The number of absent students exceeded 50, which is double the typical rate, and the nurse’s office handled dozens of students who complained of various health complaints today,” Palmer said in the email.
” Some students and staff have expressed their individual concern about remaining in the school environment, and it was difficult for the nursing staff to determine if the presenting health issues were impacted by the anxiety of those in the school in addition to any other presenting medical symptoms.”
She then announced the Thursday and Friday closings “in an abundance of caution and to reassure our families and staff that this school continues to be a safe environment…”
Palmer said the closings will allow:
· A complete visual inspection of the entire facility by Hygenix, Inc.;
The exterior near the main entrance of Coleytown Middle School in late morning today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
· A follow-up round of air testing throughout the school;
· A review of all recent student illness complaints with follow-up with local pediatricians; and
· Further consultation with medical professionals.
“This period of time will allow the District to conduct a further assessment of the school environment, and all data collected will be shared with all families,” Palmer said.
“These testing results will be prioritized for expedited processing in order that we can confirm through our team of environmental and medical consultants that the school reopens on Monday.”
Palmer said the possibility of shutting down the school had been considered early on.
“When this mold issue was first identified in the summer, the District considered various scenarios in the event the building would not be ready for the start of school or available for some portion of the school year,” she said.
“If, at any point in time, the school facility is found not to be appropriate for safe use, the District will relocate the students and staff to an alternate location.”
Palmer concluded the email by saying: “We continue to hold the safety and well-being of our students and staff as the highest priority.
“All testing, reports, and findings will continue to be made available to the public. The health of our children will not be compromised, and we will work in full transparency as these difficult issues are addressed.
” I encourage you to speak with your students about all the precautionary steps that are being taken so that they understand how carefully and thoughtfully we are handling this stressful situation.”
