Virginia school to reopen Monday after lead cleanup
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Alexandria City Public Schools announced Friday that Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School will reopen most of its classrooms and offices on Monday, October 7, following successful lead remediation efforts.
However, the gym and adjoining areas will remain closed until further testing is completed. The school has been closed for eight days due to concerns about potential lead exposure.
In a letter to the school community, Dr. Alicia Hart, ACPS Chief Operating Officer, and Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt, Superintendent, provided an update on the cleaning and testing process.
"All classrooms and hallways have been cleaned and clearance tested. Each space is within acceptable lead thresholds set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)," the letter read.
The school will reopen except for the gym, which is still undergoing cleaning and testing.
"We will update families when that final area is complete," the officials stated, emphasizing that safety remains a top priority.
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Alexandria school closed due to potential lead exposure; Parents urged to get kids tested
A school closure in Alexandria has caused concern among parents after potential lead exposure was detected at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School.
To address concerns about potential lead exposure, ACPS and the Alexandria Health Department have partnered to offer free blood lead level testing for students, staff, and volunteers. The testing is available at the Alexandria Health Department’s fourth-floor testing site, with no insurance or identification required.
"You don't get the results immediately," said Dr. David Rose, Director of the Alexandria Health Department. "It may take one to four days, and we’re planning on follow-ups by the middle of next week."
Dr. Rose recommended that individuals with low or moderate lead exposure focus on nutrition. "The focus is on nutritional interventions, making sure you have calcium, vitamin C, and iron," he said. In cases of higher exposure, medication to help the body remove lead may be necessary.
Parents are encouraged to prepare their children for the quick finger-prick test, which will be followed up with results and further care if needed. The testing aims to ensure the health and safety of the school community as the lead remediation process continues.
The next update on the remaining remediation work at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary is expected soon, with officials committed to reopening the gym once it has passed all safety tests.