Robert Morris teachers, students adjust to temporary classrooms
May 17—SCRANTON — Lazarus Mulrine didn't know what to expect Wednesday.
With his home school Robert Morris Elementary closed because of asbestos, the fourth grader attended class at Neil Armstrong Elementary, 1 1/2 miles away. In a bigger school with newer technology, Lazarus learned with his classmates and his teacher from Morris.
"Going to a different school wasn't as bad as I thought it would be," Lazarus said at dismissal.
Scranton School District leaders decided this week to close the Green Ridge school for the remainder of the school year after crews working on the building's renovation discovered asbestos insulation above the second-floor ceiling.
Buses and vans transported kindergarten, first grade and life skills students to John Adams Elementary, located on Capouse Avenue. Second through fourth graders reported to Armstrong on North Lincoln Avenue. Students remained with their teachers and classmates in dedicated, assigned classrooms.
"The teachers made it work, which is what I fully expected to happen," said Scranton Federation of Teachers President Rosemary Boland, who visited the schools Wednesday. "The kids seem to be settling in. ... They're making the best of it."
The district announced Tuesday that although air quality reports came back at acceptable levels, it would be best to keep students out of the school. Frustrated parents questioned the safety of the school prior to crews discovering the asbestos, and online, many parents called for classes to be virtual for the remainder of the year.
"It's frustrating. It's a stressful situation," said Lazarus' mom, Lindsay Powers. "But I think they're doing the best they can."
Teachers grabbed necessary supplies from classrooms Tuesday, and officials developed a plan to move 210 students. Students can receive bus transportation from Morris to their temporary schools and then back to Morris for pickup. Teachers rode the buses with students Wednesday to ensure plans went smoothly.
"It went as good as it could have gone," Principal Michael Coleman said, as he ushered students off the bus and into lines in the Morris' parking lot for dismissal.
The sign in front of the school read "Our students rock," a nod to the school's mascot, the Rockstars. Julie Maloney, supervisor of transportation, greeted students with high fives.
Jennifer Galler waited for her daughter, a third grader.
"She was nervous, but she was OK," Galler said. "At least they figured out a way."
Her daughter, Charlotte Boyce, said she enjoyed her first day at her temporary school.
"It was really fun and I liked it," the 9-year-old said. "It was much bigger and had a lot more space."
Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT on Twitter.
