ST. CROIX — Department of Education officials in the St. Croix District held two days of informational meetings for parents and staff of the John H. Woodson and Arthur A. Richards junior high schools, providing updates on the status of the schools, which will be closed through January 16, pending the results of a comprehensive environmental test conducted on the Woodson campus on January 10, D.O.E. said in a release issued this morning.
Students and staff were dismissed early on January 9, following complaints of an odor and skin irritations affecting some areas of the campus.
At staff meetings for the two schools on Friday, January 11 and parent meetings held on Saturday, January 12, attendees voiced their concerns about the safety of the campus, which is shared by Woodson and Richards students and staff. State and district officials informed audience members that everything is being done to ensure the school environment is safe, with contractor Adcon Environmental conducting a battery of tests for air quality, mold spores, chemicals and other possible airborne substances, D.O.E. said.
When test results are returned on or about January 16, Acting Superintendent Maria Encarnacion said officials would know how to proceed.
Staff at both junior high schools have prepared educational packets for students to complete during the school closures, according to the release. Students who have not yet received their packets may pick them up at the following locations beginning at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 14:
- John H. Woodson Packets: Alfredo Andrews Elementary School
- Arthur Richards Packets: Eulalie Rivera, Claude O. Markoe and Alexander Henderson elementary schools
Feature Image: John H. Woodson faculty and staff attend an informational meeting on Friday, January 11 at Ricardo Richards Elementary School library to receive an update on the status of the Woodson campus following an early dismissal on January 9.
Tags: arthur a richards, John H. Woodson, usvi
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