The school had recently been undergoing renovations on deteriorating ceilings in hallways and stairwells, when traces of lead were discovered in construction debris.
Upon knowledge of the contamination, employees and workers were directed to evacuate the building for precautionary measures. Later lab tests would show that dust lead levels were within EPA safety clearance levels.
Parents were notified Sunday night of the schools decision to move classes, which will affect approximately 300 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
Students started the week taking classes in the Parish Center at St. Clement’s Church. On Tuesday, early childhood, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students continued classes in the parish center, while students in grades first through fifth met at St. Peter’s School.
Both alternative locations are in close proximity to the school on Lake Avenue.
The school is now in the process of having the building cleaned from top to bottom in order to eliminate any possibility of contamination. This process could take the entire week to finish, and no one will be allowed in the building until cleaning has been completed.
Construction on the deteriorating ceilings started back in January. Students were being moved into an empty classroom, while construction crews worked on each classroom one a time.
Safeguards were installed in order to keep students safe and minimize disruptions. However, dust from construction taking place on hallway ceilings forced school officials to cancel classes three days prior to a week long vacation that took place over the President’s Day holiday week.
School officials intend to hold a parent’s meeting once they have gathered all the information they need in order to answer parent’s questions and concerns.
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