Charles G Hammond Elementary School

To be honest, I’ve got some real concerns about the environment at Hammond. The chronic absenteeism rate is super high, sitting around 31%, which really makes you wonder about the overall wellness of the kids and if they’re just constantly getting sick or if there's enough support for them. It feels like the school is always playing catch-up. I know they’ve had some talk about 'infrastructure improvements' and safety audits in the past, but the building still feels old and the ventilation isn't the best, which doesn't help when things are going around. It’s tough because the teachers try, but with a high student-to-counselor ratio, there just isn't enough help for kids' mental health or personal wellness needs. It’s a lot of 'just get through the day' vibes rather than a place focused on health.

My youngest is at Hammond and honestly, it's been a pretty good experience so far. The school stays on top of things when stuff like hand-foot-and-mouth or the flu starts going around the classrooms. I always get an email or a flyer in the folder pretty quick so I know what to look out for. The nurse there is super sweet, too—my daughter had a weird allergy flare-up at lunch and they called me right away but kept her calm until I could get there. Everything feels clean enough for an older building in Lawndale, and they really push the kids to use hand sanitizer. It’s not perfect, and the sick policy is a little strict if you're a working parent, but I’d rather they keep the sick kids home than have everyone catching it!