Last week we reopened school after our cafeteria fire after the advice of investigators and specialists recommending that there was no further risk after our cleaning regime was complete. As I noted in a previous note, this was to be followed with air quality tests to confirm these recommendations and reassure our community of the safety of the building and the remedial steps we have taken up until this time. We received the air quality report in the middle of last week and then reviewed the report through verbal translation, point by point. We can confirm that the results are in alignment with the original recommendations and found no risk to students, as all of the measurements in key areas of exposure were measured and found to be fully in compliance with current requirements in all respects. The full report is provided to our community in PDF and downloadable here:
ASW Air Quality Report (in Polish)
We want to thank the community for all of the positive responses with regards to our communication and actions during this difficult juncture and we will continue to provide updates as any new information is known. At this time, the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation and all companies related to the fire (e.g. equipment providers, product providers, etc.) have been notified. We expect to know something more about this after the break.
It should be noted that insurance work is not dependent on this investigation and that we are covered for work on the cafeteria and library moving forward. We are currently at the stage of receiving bids from contractors on the various elements of work that must be completed. In all of the proposals received so far, the expectation is still affirming that everything will return to normal after the vacation. While there might be a limited amount of final organizational work to continue after the break, we expect to have much of this resolved before our January return.
Many thanks again to all who have shown so much flexibility during this difficult issue. We appreciate everyone adapting to our temporary cafeteria most of all and to CPS for doing their best to provide us with modified service during this final period before the break. Thanks as well to parents and staff who are helping in the cafeteria each day, assisting students of all ages, in the morning, during lunch, and throughout the day.
We can’t help by thank everyone involved for this wonderful and truly inspiring event that included all ages, the bulk of our community, and one destination after another throughout the school mastered by wonderful parents dedicating their time and talents to a truly powerful day. Diversity stands at the center of our mission and vision for a school that captures and values cross-cultural experiences that promote a global village pathway to peace and harmony. Parents modeled for students the power of our diversity and what our varied cultural heritage brings to an already robust conversation in our classrooms and programs. PTO and all of our parent volunteers should be thanked for their diligence in presenting us with one of our best UN Days on record. Our thanks also to those that organized the wonderful assemblies that allowed students to showcase their diversity in the performance setting. The Grade 2 and Grade 4 spotlights shown brightly as these grade levels mastered assemblies with dialog that wove friends and tolerance into powerful presentations. I can honestly admit to a small tear that was shed when the candles were lit, and I giggled with the rest of you when we heard the hoots and hollers as Ireland, and all of our countries, were announced to the cheers of those in attendance! 😉
Dickinson was an inspiration to children, a valued friend and colleague, and an enduring spirit in a foreign land. The words of those who cherished Nancy are gathering now in our hearts and minds as we received news on the weekend of Nancy’s passing following a year long struggle with cancer.
Nancy served the American School of Warsaw from 2002-2015 as a Kindergarten, 3rd, and 1st grade teacher. All who knew her remembered her warmth and kindness. Memories of Nancy are being shared via many communication platforms in the coming days in hopes of capturing the thoughts and inspirations of her life and time here in Warsaw and throughout the world. The shared document can be viewed