Emmett Louis Till Math and Science Academy

Honestly, I’m pretty concerned about the health environment at Till Academy lately. I was looking through some board documents and saw they had to request a bunch of extra visits for rat issues inside the building, which is just gross when you think about our kids eating and playing there. On top of that, there's been talk about needing new air filters for the handlers, so I really wonder about the ventilation and mold. The school is an older building and it definitely feels like it most days—whenever a bug goes around the classroom, it seems like everyone gets hit because the deep cleaning just isn't happening. I want to love the school for the history and the math focus, but they need to get the pest and air quality issues under control.

My son is at Emmett Till and the health stuff is pretty hit or miss. The school building itself stays relatively clean, and I notice the custodians really trying to keep up with the hallways during flu season. However, I wish the communication was a bit better when things like strep or pink eye are going around the classroom—sometimes I only hear about it from other moms in the pickup line instead of the office. They are pretty strict about the fever-free for 24 hours rule, which is a headache for work but definitely keeps the germ spread down. It’s a decent environment, just your typical busy CPS school trying its best with the resources they have.