Johnnie Colemon Elementary Academy

Honestly, I’m pretty concerned about the state of Colemon lately. While the teachers are doing their best, the school is definitely showing its age and it feels like the maintenance can't keep up. I’ve noticed a lot of 'repair services' and maintenance line items on the board agendas lately which usually means things are breaking down constantly. It’s hard to feel like the environment is truly healthy for the kids when the building feels so run down. Plus, the class sizes are way too big, and when one kid gets sick, it basically rips through the whole grade because they're all on top of each other. I wish they’d prioritize the actual physical health of the facility and more staff to manage the kids' wellness because right now it just feels like they're playing catch-up with repairs.

I've been pretty impressed with how Colemon handles things lately. My daughter's classroom always smells clean when I drop her off, and they're really on top of sending out emails the second a kid in her grade tests positive for something. It’s the South Side, so you know these old buildings can be a struggle, but the custodial staff clearly works hard. They are pretty strict about the 24-hour fever-free rule before kids can come back, which can be a hassle for work, but honestly, it keeps the flu from spreading through the whole class.