Carter G Woodson South Elementary School

Honestly, I’m pretty frustrated with the health and wellness situation at Woodson South. The building feels like it’s constantly falling apart, and seeing board meeting notes about temporary AC rentals and safety glass replacements isn't exactly reassuring when your kid is in a stuffy classroom all day. The climate control is a mess, and poor ventilation is the last thing you want during flu season. Plus, the chronic absenteeism here is way too high—over 40% based on recent data—so it feels like there’s always a bug going around and not enough support to keep the environment healthy. It feels like the school is just putting bandages on major issues rather than creating a clean, stable space for the kids.

Woodson South is decent with health stuff, but it's definitely a typical urban public school experience. I really appreciate that the nurse is actually there most days to help with the little ones, especially since the preschool kids get those seasonal colds constantly. They are pretty strict about the fever rules—they'll call you immediately if your kid looks even a little flushed—which can be a hassle for work but it keeps the classroom from becoming a total germ zone. The building is older, but the janitors do a solid job keeping the hallways clean. Communication from the office about stuff like COVID or flu spikes is hit or miss sometimes, usually just a flyer in the backpack, but the teachers are good about reminding the kids to use the hand sanitizer stations they have set up.