Everett’s Madison Elementary School Boiler Failure Good Reminder to Update Parent Contact Info.

December 5, 2013

Everett, Everett Government

Madison ElementarySome challenges today at Everett’s Madison Elementary School after the boiler that provides heat to the school apparently failed. While investigating the cause of the boiler failure the Everett Fire Department was called to make sure there was no gas leak and none was found. Because students were still arriving during the time the boiler failed, those who were on busses were diverted to View Ridge Elementary while those who walked to Madison or were dropped off by parents were taken to the annex where portable heaters were used to keep the kids warm. This afternoon students who rode the bus but were diverted to View Ridge will be taken on their regular bus routes home and the kids who spent the day at Madison will be picked up or allowed to walk home as normal.

Today’s event proved to be a good test of the school’s communication’s system. Here are the two messages that went out to parents today…

Initial BBC message:

This is Diane Bradford with Everett Public Schools with an important message for Madison Elementary School families. This morning Madison has no heat. Pending the fire department’s investigation, we have sent bus students to View Ridge Elementary School. We are welcoming walking students and those arriving late into the school. However, if parents want to keep children home today, we understand. We will give you an update as more information becomes available later this morning. Thank you.

Follow up BBC message:

This is Diane Bradford at Everett Public Schools with an update for Madison Elementary School families.

Students who rode the bus to View Ridge Elementary this morning will stay at View Ridge until the end of the school day. Buses will pick them up at View Ridge and deliver them to their normal bus stops at the regular drop-off times. Students who ride a bus who are at Madison will be picked up by their normal bus and taken home on their normal route.

Students who are at Madison are in the classrooms in the annex. The students are warm and cozy while learning thanks to our maintenance department delivering heaters for those classrooms.

Puget Sound Energy is still working with our maintenance team to restore heat to the building.

As this is being communicated, we believe we are reaching a solution. Principal Mark Toland will send a letter home with each student today. Please check your child’s backpack tonight for the letter and another automated phone call will be sent home tonight providing you with the latest information and school status.

Thank you for your flexibility this morning as we handled the situation and got students to the best learning environment as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

Everett School’s Mary Waggoner tells MyEverettNews.com that Everett Public Schools use a telephone and email system to deliver messages en mass when there are changes to the school day. Today’s event at Madison Elementary underscores the need for parents to make sure both their email address and cell or home phone numbers are current at their child’s school.

As of 2:30pm the heating system at Madison Elementary has been fixed and school will resume as usual Friday.

,

About My Everett News Staff

My Everett News is a hyperlocal news website featuring news and events in Everett, Washington. We also cover City of Everett information and items of interest to those who live and work in Everett.

View all posts by My Everett News Staff