Print
Sep 29, 2008 8:08 pm US/Central
Students From Flooded School Back In Class Tuesday
Residents On Several Blocks Lose Water Service
CHICAGO (STNG) ―
-
-
A plumbing problem flooded the Sumner Math and Science Academy and forced crews to shut off water service to many West Garfield Park neighborhood residents.
CBS
Regular classes will be conducted Tuesday for students at a West Side Garfield Park neighborhood elementary school that flooded with 12 and 15 feet of water when a pipe broke Monday.
At 5:26 a.m. Monday, the Chicago Public Schools Emergency Control Center was informed of a water main break at 4320 W. Fifth Ave., according to a release from CPS. The problem at Sumner Math and Science Community Academy left the new addition flooded, according to CPS spokesman Malon Edwards. The basement and first floor of the building flooded, according to the release.
City Department of Water Management spokesman Tom LaPorte said crews had to pump between 12 and 15 feet of water from the building. LaPorte said the problem was not a water main break, but was believed to be a broken pipe inside the building.
Sumner shares a facility with the KIPP Ascend Charter School. Prekindergarten through third grade Sumner students and KIPP students are usually taught in the older building, according to CPS. Sumner students in grades 4-8 are taught in the newer building that was the scene of the flooding.
Students in the older part of the building were kept in school Monday, while KIPP canceled classes for the day and sent students home. All Sumner students who showed up and remained in school were moved to the older building and instruction took place throughout the day. About 40 percent of the usual student population remained in school.
Classes will be back on their regular schedule Tuesday at the old Sumner building, 715 S. Kildare Ave., for pre-K to grade 3 Sumner and all KIPP students, the release said.
Bottled water and hand sanitizers will be provided for students and staff who remain. Most or all Sumner grade 4-8 students will be moved to Nathaniel Pope School at 1852 S. Albany Ave., which is currently vacant, until further notice, the release said.
Bus transportation from Sumner to Pope will be provided, CPS said. Parents of these students should bring their children to and pick them up from Sumner.
(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2009. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Video: CBS 2's Picks To Click
