GMS cleanup complete as in-person classes resume

After a week-long cleanup effort, the Galvin Middle School reopened Monday without a hitch as all operations resumed, including in-person classes, after-school clubs, and the school’s late bus.

William H. Galvin Middle School

Staff and students told GMS Interim Principal Dr. Mike Green that the building looked as if nothing had happened, despite the fact that all three levels of the building had sustained damage as a result of a water line break that occurred in the overnight hours on Thursday, October 14.

School was canceled on Friday, October 15, and the district was subsequently granted a waiver from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to allow for remote learning during the week of October 18-22. As a result, only one day will have to be made up at the end of the school year, according to Interim Superintendent Derek Folan.

Folan told the School Committee at its October 21 meeting that he had hoped the building could reopen on Friday, October 22, but final air quality test results had not been received.

In an email to parents on Sunday, October 24, the GMS administration team thanked the students, families, faculty and everyone else who helped make the past week of remote learning a success. “We received feedback from students, parents and teachers reporting that remote learning was productive, students were on task, and that no learning was lost,” the message stated. “This is a credit to the outstanding professionalism of our faculty, and the support of our amazing parents and community.”

Green told the Citizen that students were pleased to return to the building and see their friends, and staff were excited to return to their classrooms.

“The building looks great,” he said. “It’s hard to imagine what happened. Everything was put together the way it was.” He added, “There were no leaks today; everything worked, and technology also was in place.”

Green, who has worked in education for over 40 years, said he has experienced water damage in a school building before but was very impressed with the district’s response, citing its ability to get vendors on site immediately and promptly secure a waiver from DESE. He also praised the faculty and staff for their collaborative efforts to resume remote learning on short notice. “I was impressed by everyone working together to make this work,” said Green.

In other GMS news, Folan reported that district leaders had a productive Zoom meeting last week with Mass. School Building Authority (MSBA) representatives concerning Canton’s application for building renovation funds …

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Posted by Mike Berger on Oct 29 2021. Filed under News, Schools. Both comments and pings are currently closed.