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Barack Obama Elementary

Home of the Obama Stars

AM Update

Posted Date: 08/31/26 (10:00 AM)
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Good morning, Obama Community,

We are sharing our latest facility updates and details for the rest of this week.

IMPORTANT SCHEDULE UPDATES: This morning, our incredible BOES teachers requested additional time to set up their rooms. I am honoring their request to give them enough time to thoughtfully put together their classrooms so they can welcome your scholars with the energy, excitement, and enthusiasm they deserve. Students are now scheduled to return to Obama Elementary for regular classes on Thursday (September 3). We will continue serving students at Pine Camp on Wednesday. 

  • Teachers and Staff: All staff reported to Obama this morning (Monday, August 31) in order to begin setting up classrooms. For any rooms that have not been cleared by that point, we continue to 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), Tuesday (September 1), and Wednesday (September 2) so that our amazing teachers can receive more time to prepare their rooms. Community partners, along with RPS central office staff with teaching experience, will supervise the activities from Monday to Wednesday.

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

Facility Updates:

  • The vast majority of the building has been officially tested and cleared for reoccupancy (view the official final retest results).

  • Contracted partners began early-morning work at 5:00 am on the remaining areas. Only three specific spaces require additional remediation and will remain sealed off:

    • Room 304

    • Office Suite area

    • Cafeteria

  • All monitored classrooms and interior spaces measured below 60% relative humidity during morning readings. Supplemental dehumidification remains active while long-term control and monitoring options are finalized.

  • The facilities team continues to address secondary repairs independently, including bathroom and floor moisture fixes, ongoing HVAC maintenance, and sealing potential roof and window water intrusion points.

Pine Camp Updates:

  • Students will use standard Obama bus stops (view bus routes here). 

    • Please note: K–2 parents must accompany their child to the bus stop in the morning. A RPS Care & Safety Team member will be present at Pine Camp.

  • Morning pickup is at 7:30 am at Obama Elementary School for walkers riding to Pine Camp.

  • 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 be at the bus stop in the afternoon to meet their student.

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

Thank you for your continued patience, support, and partnership as we complete these final steps. We are looking forward to seeing our scholars back in the building!