James R Doolittle Jr Elementary School

I've been pretty frustrated with the health environment at Doolittle. Honestly, it feels like the school is constantly struggling with attendance, and because so many kids are chronically absent, there's just no consistency with wellness routines. When my kid is in class, the school feels 'partially organized' at best, and I rarely get clear communication when there’s a bug going around the classroom. It’s a neighborhood school with potential, but the lack of support staff and the high student needs make it feel like they’re just putting out fires rather than keeping the building clean and healthy.

My youngest is in the pre-K program at Doolittle and honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag with the health stuff. The classrooms stay pretty clean for being full of 3 and 4-year-olds, but the communication when a bug is going around can be a little slow sometimes—I usually find out from other moms before the school sends an email. The sick policy is standard CPS, so it's strict about the 24-hour fever-free rule which I appreciate, though it's tough when you're a working parent. Overall, the staff is really caring and they do their best to keep the kids wiped down and washed up, but it's an older building so some areas definitely feel like they could use a deep scrub more often.