GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Five days after Grand Rapids Public Schools announced potential asbestos exposure at North Park Montessori, students will resume class Wednesday, Feb. 20, at a new location.
On Tuesday, Feb. 19, the district sent an update to parents on the transition to GRPS University, located at 1400 Fuller Ave. NE. The students will attend school there until further notice.
The update addresses various school matters, including transportation, before and after school programming, room assignments, food service, parking, and student drop-off and pick-up.
“Our top priority is ensuring a smooth, safe and successful transition,’’ said John Helmholdt, GRPS communications director.
"We have to give a huge shout out to our teachers, school leaders and support staff who came together to help get this new school environment ready for teaching and learning on day one.’’
An open house for families will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. tonight at GRPS University, which formerly housed City High Middle School but has been used in recent years as a professional development training site.
Classes were cancelled on Monday and Tuesday. On Friday night, Feb. 15, district leaders announced that its construction management company, Christman, informed officials that “plaster possibly containing asbestos was breached due to the cutting, drilling, and construction work'' related to a project to replace the heating system and add air conditioning.
There are 364 students in first through eighth grade affected by the closure of North Park, located at 3375 Cheney Ave. NE. The early childhood programs are housed at 800 Wellerwood Drive and are not impacted.
After the Friday announcement, the district held a meeting with 350 parents Saturday, Feb. 16. On Monday, Feb. 18, several parents also attended a second district press conference on the issue.
Helmholdt said this week a meeting is being planned between district leaders and various state agencies to discuss the next steps, including testing on the site to determine exposure and a third-party investigation into the incident.
In the meantime, parents say their children need to get back to school. Below is a breakdown of updates provided by the district on resuming class.
Transportation:
Shuttle bus for walkers: Approximately 50 students walk to the Montessori school. The district will be providing a shuttle bus that will pick students up on the north side of the main building off Elmdale Street NE between Cheney and Eastern avenues. Departure time is 8:30 a.m. and return time in the afternoon is between 4:20 and 4:30 p.m.
Theme School/Regional Transportation: There are no changes to the theme school / regional transportation. Students who utilize the theme school transportation should follow their same routine.
Before and After School Programming:
LOOP before school and after school programs, staffed by the YMCA, will continue as scheduled starting Wednesday morning. The program times are the same as they were in the main building. Before school is 7:30 to 8:50 a.m. and after school is 4:06 to 6 p.m. Transportation will be the same.
Parking and Student Drop Off/Pick Up:
Staff parking will be in the north lot at GRPS University. Parents may park in the main lot. For parents who are transporting their child to North Park Montessori @ GRPS U, the back parking lot, located off of Sweet Street NE, is the designated site.
School leaders are asking parents to not drop students off in the main lot as the main lot is designated for buses. Maps were sent to families along with the update letter.
Food Service:
Free breakfast and lunch will be served. The breakfast start time is from 8:50 to 9:10 a.m. Lunch is at regular times.
Helmholdt said athletics, physical education, and fine arts programs will all continue as normal at GRPS University.
The Kent County Health Department is the lead on the issue in responding to families about testing, health concerns, etc., according to Lynn Sutfin, public information officer for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
“MDHHS is assisting Kent County in making those responses by providing them fact sheets on asbestos, contact information to experts on asbestos and health effects caused by asbestos. This includes ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) and the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit in Region 5,’’ she said.
“Testing is under the purview of DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality)/EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).”
Helmholdt said the state agencies expected to participate in this week’s meeting include the health department, DHHS, DEQ, and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration.