Asbestos forces Worcester preschool to relocate students

• Posted by Worcester News Mon at 6:17 AM - Filed in News - #Worcester  #education  #Worcester Public Schools  #public health  #Millbury Street Head Start  #Head Start  #asbestos  #school closure  #Brian Allen  - 1,382 views

  
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  UPDATE: This story was updated with new information from Worcester Public Schools about the extended closure and plans to relocate students beginning Wednesday.

  WORCESTER — Millbury Street Head Start will remain closed today — Tuesday, October 27th — after asbestos fibers were detected in the building's basement, and students will be temporarily relocated to 2 other Worcester Head Start facilities beginning Wednesday.

  Worcester Public Schools announced Monday that the Millbury Street building will remain closed until further notice while additional testing and cleaning are conducted.

  Beginning Wednesday, students will be assigned to either Greendale Head Start, 130 Leeds Street, or Mill Swan Head Start, 337 Mill Street.

  School staff were scheduled to contact families by telephone Monday to inform them of their child's assigned location.

  Students who normally ride school buses can continue using their regular bus stops. The district said additional buses will transport students to the temporary locations, with extra staff and bus monitors available to assist.

  Students will remain with their regular teachers and classmates at the alternate facilities. The district also said documented medical and nutritional needs will continue to be accommodated.

  Families who do not wish to send their children to the temporary locations are asked to notify the school.

  "We hope this situation will be resolved this week but we cannot provide an exact date of return at this time," the district said in its Monday announcement.

  The closure began Monday after testing detected traces of asbestos fibers in the building's basement.

  According to Worcester Public Schools, insulation containing asbestos was disturbed during maintenance work the previous week. The work did not take place while students were present.

  The basement gym was closed Tuesday, October 20th, after the incident. The affected area was secured, and testing and required state reporting began immediately.

  School officials learned Saturday that initial surface testing had detected trace amounts of asbestos fibers in the basement gym, hallway and staff-only rooms. The district subsequently closed the entire building to allow for additional testing, extensive cleaning and remediation.

  Asbestos was widely used in older buildings and generally does not pose a health risk when the material remains intact and sealed. However, disturbing asbestos-containing materials can release fibers into the air, potentially creating health hazards.

  District officials emphasized that asbestos-related illnesses are generally associated with repeated, long-term exposure rather than a single, minimal exposure.

  The Millbury Street building will reopen only after testing confirms it is safe for students and staff, according to the district.

  Families are encouraged to ensure their ParentSquare notifications are enabled to receive updates about the closure and temporary relocation. Instructions are available on the district's ParentSquare notification settings page.

  Parents with additional questions about the asbestos issue can contact Brittany Helgerson, the district's environmental health and safety coordinator, at helgersonb@worcesterschools.net.

  Additional information about the closure is available in the district's original announcement.