John C Dore Elementary School

Dore is an okay school overall, but the health and wellness side of things feels a bit hit-or-miss lately. I’ve noticed they've had some ongoing issues with the building's infrastructure—specifically with the chiller and cooling system—which makes the classrooms pretty uncomfortable when it gets warm. It's hard for the kids to stay focused and healthy when the ventilation or temp isn't consistent. Communication from the office about sick policies is standard for CPS, but I wish they were a bit more proactive when things like stomach bugs or strep are going around the classrooms. It feels like we just find out through the parent grapevine instead of official channels.

Honestly, Dore has been pretty solid since my youngest started there. The building is older, but you can tell the custodial staff actually cares—the hallways don't have that weird old school smell, and they're always wiping down door handles. I really appreciate how the nurse handles things too; she’s super quick to call if there’s a bump on the playground, but she doesn't freak out over every little sniffle. My only complaint is the pick-up area can be a bit of a germ factory in the winter when everyone is crowded together, but I guess that's just CPS life. Overall, they’re really good about sending out emails if there’s a stomach bug or something going around the classroom so we can stay ahead of it.