‘When kids are cold, they can’t learn:’ Broad Rock Elementary faces heating issues as cold weather hits
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- After several parents posted on Facebook about the lack of heat at Broad Rock Elementary School this past week, one Richmond mother is speaking out, saying her child is coming home complaining about the cold. Broad Rock Elementary has had heating issues for the past few winters. Parent Tisha Erby said these issues are becoming more concerning as temperatures continue to drop. “It’s very cold [for the] kids now," Erby said. "My son ... He’s always complaining, like, ‘Mom, can I bring a hat, can I bring some gloves?’” Her 2nd-grade son, Emanuel Erby, described the chilly conditions in his classroom -- explaining how he has been able to see his own breath from it being so cold. Emanuel's class is the only 2nd-grade class at Broad Rock that normally learns inside the main building, Tisha said, joining Kindergarteners, first graders and fifth graders. However, all other second and third-grade classes learn in a trailer across the parking lot. Parents said the trailer offers a bit more warmth than the building, which has been dealing with heating issues for the past few winters. RELATED: Richmond School Board reviews final reports listing nearly $3 million in repairs needed at two schools Erby and other parents are frustrated with the lack of communication from the school. “I’m so big on communication ... Just let parents be aware of ‘Hey, we don’t have heat,'" she said."When kids are cold, they can't learn ... [their] fingers just trembling trying to hold a pencil or crayon to do their work." In a statement to 8News, Richmond Public Schools (RPS) said the following: "We've had some heating challenges at Broad Rock. Our Facilities team has been incredibly responsive as they diagnose + fix the equipment. As we work to get the situation resolved, the school-based team has been moving classes around to ensure that all students are safe and warm as they learn. Earlier this week, we released our facilities conditions assessments detailing the state of our building infrastructure. We are aware, as you'll read in the report, that Broad Rock has some long-term challenges related to temperature control, particularly when the temperature shifts rapidly. We're working as a division to pull together a comprehensive plan related to facilities improvement, and to determine the funding necessary to address these issues over the long-term. Overall, the Division has more than $43 million in urgent facilities needs, and a fair bit of those funds are needed for HVAC upgrades + repair. We received $15M earlier this year for a portion of those energy upgrades at many of our Title 1 schools, and look forward to a community conversation on how best to fund these investments in our buildings + children." Richmond City Public Schools
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- After several parents posted on Facebook about the lack of heat at Broad Rock Elementary School this past week, one Richmond mother is speaking out, saying her child is coming home complaining about the cold.
Broad Rock Elementary has had heating issues for the past few winters. Parent Tisha Erby said these issues are becoming more concerning as temperatures continue to drop.
“It’s very cold [for the] kids now," Erby said. "My son ... He’s always complaining, like, ‘Mom, can I bring a hat, can I bring some gloves?’”
Her 2nd-grade son, Emanuel Erby, described the chilly conditions in his classroom -- explaining how he has been able to see his own breath from it being so cold.
Emanuel's class is the only 2nd-grade class at Broad Rock that normally learns inside the main building, Tisha said, joining Kindergarteners, first graders and fifth graders. However, all other second and third-grade classes learn in a trailer across the parking lot.
Parents said the trailer offers a bit more warmth than the building, which has been dealing with heating issues for the past few winters.
Erby and other parents are frustrated with the lack of communication from the school.
“I’m so big on communication ... Just let parents be aware of ‘Hey, we don’t have heat,'" she said.
"When kids are cold, they can't learn ... [their] fingers just trembling trying to hold a pencil or crayon to do their work."
In a statement to 8News, Richmond Public Schools (RPS) said the following:
"We've had some heating challenges at Broad Rock. Our Facilities team has been incredibly responsive as they diagnose + fix the equipment. As we work to get the situation resolved, the school-based team has been moving classes around to ensure that all students are safe and warm as they learn.
Earlier this week, we released our facilities conditions assessments detailing the state of our building infrastructure. We are aware, as you'll read in the report, that Broad Rock has some long-term challenges related to temperature control, particularly when the temperature shifts rapidly. We're working as a division to pull together a comprehensive plan related to facilities improvement, and to determine the funding necessary to address these issues over the long-term. Overall, the Division has more than $43 million in urgent facilities needs, and a fair bit of those funds are needed for HVAC upgrades + repair. We received $15M earlier this year for a portion of those energy upgrades at many of our Title 1 schools, and look forward to a community conversation on how best to fund these investments in our buildings + children." Richmond City Public Schools
