MILWAUKEE — Trowbridge Street School of Great Lakes Studies has been ordered to temporarily close starting Monday after the Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) identified unsafe lead dust levels at the school, according to a release.
The order comes after MHD said recent testing found elevated lead dust levels in areas that underwent remediation but do not meet health and safety standards for a child-occupied facility.
The closure will allow further assessments. While the work is completed, MPS will relocate Trowbridge students to the Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning.
Watch: Trowbridge Elementary to temporarily close Monday due to unsafe lead dust
Student schedules, transportation details
Students will have the same teachers they have had all school year, and school hours (7:25 a.m. – 2:25 p.m.) will remain the same. Student medications should be picked up from Trowbridge by Friday, February 28.
If your student is already assigned a bus, your student will be taken to WCLL. If you need transportation for your child, contact MPS Transportation at (414) 475-8922.
Families who wish to keep their children home on Friday, February 28, should contact the Trowbridge office to arrange an excused absence.
The announcement comes as lead hazards have been identified in multiple MPS buildings, particularly those built before 1978, when lead-based paint was commonly used.
When deteriorating, this paint can create lead dust, posing serious health risks, especially for young children and those with special needs, according to the release.
Other schools with identified lead hazards include Golda Meir Lower Campus, Kagel, and Maryland Avenue Montessori.
Next steps
MHD says MPS Facilities and Maintenance Services has been addressing lead hazards at Trowbridge since January, and certified lead-paint workers have already stabilized areas of concern.
According to the release, workers will conduct a deep cleaning of the school this weekend, and MHD will be on-site Monday to assess conditions and determine next steps. The date for students to return to Trowbridge is not yet known. Students will only return once lead hazards have been fully addressed and the Health Department confirms that the school is safe, according to the release.
MHD plans to hold a media availability Friday afternoon to discuss their announcement, and "other available updates."
What families can do
MHD released a list of preventive health and safety tips to reduce lead exposure in children and households:
-Have your child tested for lead exposure. Children under age 6 are especially vulnerable. Lead testing is available through your primary care provider or at MHD clinics.
-Take steps at home to reduce lead exposure:
-Use wet wipes to clean floors, windows, and furniture to remove lead dust.
-Remove shoes at the door to prevent tracking in dirt with lead dust.
-Wash toys frequently, especially for very young children.
-Provide foods rich in iron, calcium, and vitamin C to help prevent lead absorption.
-Run cold tap water for three minutes before using it for drinking or cooking.
-Use a water filter certified to remove lead (NSF/ANSI 53).
-Stay informed. Visit theMHD Home Environmental Health webpage for reports, safety guidance, and resources.
More resources
For more resources, and ways to connect with the MHD lead team, visit www.milwaukee.gov/HEH.
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