Ralph H Metcalfe Elementary Community Academy

Honestly, I’m pretty concerned about the health environment at Metcalfe. The chronic absenteeism rate is through the roof—last I checked it was over 40%—and you can really feel that lack of stability in the building. It feels like there’s always something going around, and I don't think the school has the resources to keep up with deep cleaning or managing sick kids properly. With the student-to-teacher ratios being what they are, the staff is just spread way too thin to keep an eye on hygiene or even notice when a kid is struggling emotionally. It’s tough because the teachers try, but the school feels overwhelmed and the wellness of the kids definitely takes a backseat. I wish there was more communication about health outbreaks, because right now it feels like we're just left to figure it out ourselves.

Honestly, I'm pretty concerned about the air quality and general upkeep at Metcalfe lately. It feels like there’s always something broken with the building's infrastructure—I've seen so many maintenance orders for 'broken drive wheels' and constant repairs to the HVAC system parts. They’ve been ordering hundreds of air filters because the air handling units are struggling, which makes me wonder what my kid is actually breathing in all day, especially during flu season. The attendance rates aren't great either, and it feels like the school is constantly playing catch-up with repairs rather than focusing on a proactive wellness environment. It’s frustrating when you just want a clean, healthy space for your child to learn.