Garfield Ridge families are adjusting to an unexpected start to the school year as Chicago Public Schools (CPS) closed John H. Kinzie Elementary on Thursday due to suspected mold on the building’s first floor. The district has moved the school’s 600 students to the adjacent John F. Kennedy High School while an independent environmental consultant conducts thorough mold‑clearance testing.
Testing and Safety Measures
According to CPS spokespersons, the suspected mold appears to be the result of condensation from pipe leaks during the summer’s high humidity. The facilities department is taking “additional steps to ensure the school’s safety,” and the building will remain closed through Friday, the district said, “out of an abundance of caution.”
Principal Adriana Ortiz informed parents on Thursday that mold and peeling paint had been reported, and on Sunday night she confirmed the relocation to Kennedy High. She emphasized that the district is partnering with an independent consultant to test each classroom and that the school will only reopen once all results confirm a safe environment.
Impact on Students and Parents
While classes continue on a normal schedule (7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.), many students are learning in unconventional spaces, including outdoor areas and the high school’s auditorium ramps. Parents expressed concern about lost instructional time. Garfield Ridge resident Jennifer Sandoval, whose second‑grade daughter attends Kinzie, said her child “hasn’t started learning” and spends much of the day “sitting around or playing outside.” She worries about reading progress and the broader disruption to the start of the academic year.
Sandoval also reported a registration issue for her younger daughter’s kindergarten enrollment. Because Kinzie remains closed, she has been unable to obtain the necessary paperwork, and the school’s administration told her the matter is out of their control until the building reopens.
Facilities Department Response
Ortiz praised the Department of Facilities for its rapid response and for adding a mechanical exhaust system designed to remove moisture and prevent future mold growth. The district’s facilities team is also upgrading ventilation and drainage systems, improving automation controls, and installing real‑time indoor‑air‑quality monitors throughout the school.
“The safety and well‑being of students and staff is a top priority at Chicago Public Schools,” the district spokesperson said. “Every student and staff member deserves a safe, clean, welcoming teaching and learning environment.”
What’s Next?
The independent testing is expected to be completed by early next week. If results are favorable, Kinzie Elementary will reopen; otherwise, CPS will continue to keep the building closed while additional remediation work is performed. In the meantime, families are encouraged to stay in contact with school officials for updates on class locations and any further safety measures.
Community members can follow CPS announcements on the district’s website or through direct communications from Kinzie’s administration. The situation underscores the importance of vigilant facility maintenance and swift action to protect children’s health and education.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
