PM Update

Good evening, Obama Community,

Please see below for the latest facility updates, as well as information about our plans for next week.

Facility Updates:

• Cleaning and Remediation: Our contracted partner completed the remaining scheduled remediation, performing detailed corrective cleaning throughout the building. 

• Testing: All rooms other than those listed below have been tested and cleared for re-occupancy. The rooms listed below have been re-cleaned and re-tested. We will share results as soon as we have them. 

  • Rooms 101, 207, 209, 304, and 307. 

  • Office #2

  • Dr. Drye’s office 

  • Cafeteria

• Humidity control: All but one of the monitored classrooms and interior spaces were below 60% relative humidity during this afternoon’s readings. Supplemental dehumidification remains in place while we continue to evaluate longer-term humidity control and monitoring options. 

  • Third floor: Classroom relative humidity readings were approximately 37-61%, with temperatures ranging from 71-83°F.

    • Room 310 was the only classroom recorded with relative humidity above 60% during the afternoon readings. 

    • Room 313 was the temperature outlier at 83.3°F, and is one of the areas where HVAC work has been underway. 

  • Second floor: Classroom & office relative humidity readings were approximately 42-55%, with temperatures approximately 73-77°F.  

  • First floor/Basement: Classroom and library relative humidity readings were 40-55%, with temperatures approximately 73-76°F.

• Other: The Facilities team will continue to address the remaining building-related repairs separately, including bathroom and floor moisture repairs, humidity management and monitoring, HVAC maintenance, and sealing identified sources of water intrusion (potential roof and window leaks). 

Next Week Updates:

• Teachers and Staff: All staff should report to Obama by 9 am tomorrow (August 31) and begin setting up classrooms. For any rooms that have not been cleared by that point, we request that the relevant teachers support their colleagues with classroom set-up. 

  • Any area that does not meet the post-remediation verification criteria will remain fully sealed off, receive additional corrective cleaning and remediation, as necessary, and be retested. 

• Students: Student enrichment activities will be provided at Pine Camp on Monday (August 31) and Tuesday (September 1) while teachers prepare their rooms. 

  • Community partners, along with RPS central office staff with teaching experience, will supervise the activities on Monday and Tuesday.

  • Students are scheduled to return to Obama Elementary for regular classes on Wednesday (September 2).

• Transfers: Frances McClenney Elementary and Overby-Sheppard Elementary are ready to welcome transferring students tomorrow (August 31). 

Pine Camp Updates:

• Pine Camp Meals: Breakfast and lunch will be provided daily for students attending Pine Camp, courtesy of the Richmond Education Foundation.

• Morning Bus Routes: Students will use standard Obama bus stops (view bus routes here).

  • Please Note: K–2 parents must accompany their child to the stop.

  • Neighborhood Walkers: Morning pickup is at Barack Obama Elementary School at 7:30 am.

• Afternoon Dismissal: Buses depart Pine Camp at 2:40 pm, dropping off walkers at Obama Elementary at 2:45 pm (other students return via standard route times).

  • Please Note: K–2 parents must meet their student at the stop.

• Extended Stay: Families keeping students at Pine Camp until 5:00 pm are responsible for arranging their own student pickup.

  • A member from the RPS Care & Safety Team will be onsite until all students are picked up.

Thank you for your patience, support, and partnership as we prepare to welcome our students back!

With great appreciation,

Jason