Rueben Salazar Elementary Bilingual Center

Honestly, Salazar is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to the building itself. I know they've been doing a ton of construction lately—I saw stuff about elevator repairs and ADA compliance work—which is great for accessibility, but the school is definitely on the older side. It feels like they are constantly playing catch-up to keep the place 'clean and dry' like the CPS reports say. I’m glad the Office of Student Health and Wellness has been involved lately, but it sometimes feels like a lot of bureaucracy just to get basic maintenance done. On the plus side, the bilingual focus is amazing and the teachers really do care, but I do worry about the air quality and general ventilation when the kids are all cramped in during flu season. Communication about when bugs are going around is okay, but not stellar. It’s a solid neighborhood choice, but don't expect a state-of-the-art medical or wellness suite; it's more about them making the best of an older facility.

Honestly, Salazar is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, you can tell they're finally putting money into the building—there’s been a ton of construction lately for ADA accessibility and general elevator/facility repairs to keep it 'dry and safe' according to the recent board reports. It’s a relief to see them fixing the physical stuff, but the actual day-to-day wellness feels spread thin. With the preschool and elementary kids all together, it gets pretty germy, and I wish the communication about classroom bugs or colds was a little more proactive. It's a typical Title I struggle where the staff is doing their best, but they definitely seem like they're juggling a lot.