Jefferson School Weathers Water Cut-off
When school officials learned that water had been cut off to Jefferson Primary School early last Wednesday morning, they swung into action, rerouting buses to Huntington High School where the youngsters spent time with their teachers and support staff members in the auditorium while workers toiled to fix the problem.
Assistant Superintendent David H. Grackin received a phone call from Director of Facilities Paul Rispoli at about 8:15 a.m. He was told that maintenance staff members were headed to Jefferson to investigate the problem. “Soon thereafter it was determined that we would not be able to restore service prior to the opening of school at 9:20 a.m.,” Mr. Grackin said.
School officials conferred and decided to relocate students and staff to the high school. Huntington Coach was contacted and the bus company sent word to its drivers about the change in plans. Students were met on the high school sidewalk by Jefferson Principal Margaret H. Evers, teachers and staff members.
“The students were brought into the auditorium where they were sheltered for the next several hours,” Mr. Grackin said. “Some activities were initiated during that time.” Parents were contacted via the Connect Ed system. About 100-150 children were picked up at the high school by their parents.
The high school cafeteria staff prepared lunch for the Jefferson students in anticipation of them staying for the whole day. But, that wasn’t necessary.
“We were able to repair the hydraulic line in the RPZ vault that was defective,” Mr. Grackin said. The Jefferson contingent returned to their school by 12:15 p.m. and enjoyed lunch there. Dismissal occurred at the regularly scheduled time of 3:40 p.m.
“Both the Jefferson staff and the high school are to be commended for their assistance in working through this emergency,” Mr. Grackin said.
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