HMS Closed Friday For Cleaning, Testing

The below letter from District 181 superintendent Renée Schuster to Hinsdale Middle School families and staff was sent to Patch by District 181 communications director Bridget McGuiggan Thursday afternoon.

Read more about the condition of HMS here.

Dear HMS Families and Staff,

This message is to provide you with further updates regarding the school’s facility issues. First though, please note that Hinsdale Middle School ONLY will be closed tomorrow, Friday, January 17. Additionally, after-school activities at HMS are canceled for today. This evening’s choir concert has been rescheduled for Thursday, January 23.

We received the results from indoor air quality assessments completed between November 26 and December 23, and again on January 10. The results from both tests show the air quality was well within acceptable guidelines.  

Today, a company specializing in this type of building damage and deep cleaning has been in the school to test walls for wetness and remove drywall. Closing the building on Friday will greatly expedite the cleaning process. This should allow the company to finish addressing the affected areas by Monday afternoon. (As a reminder, District 181 students are not in attendance on Monday.)

During their work today, they discovered possible mold growth, which has been sent in for testing. Results are not expected until late in the day on Friday. Therefore, we are erring on the side of caution by closing school should the mold tests show any reason for concern.

Student and staff safety is our top priority. Thank you to the entire school community for your flexibility, patience and understanding.


Sincerely,

Dr. Renée Schuster
Superintendent