Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Fernwood Montessori School will reopen on Friday, April 25, to students and staff, after having passed its clearance check by the City of Milwaukee Health Department, following lead remediation work.
MHD verified Tuesday evening that the Fernwood building, at 3239 S. Pennsylvania Ave., meets safety standards, allowing the school to reopen.
“I am pleased that we will be able to reopen Fernwood and that students and families will be able to finish this school year in their building,” Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said. “Working in partnership with the City of Milwaukee Health Department has allowed us to move forward on our lead remediation work with urgency and precision. We have a lot more work to do in other buildings across our district and will move with the same level of urgency and care for those communities.”
Students will continue to report to Andrew S. Douglas Middle School on Wednesday, April 23 and Thursday, April 24, as school-based staff prepare the Fernwood building to welcome students. Students will be welcomed back to the Fernwood building on Friday, April 25.
Students and staff temporarily moved from Fernwood to Douglas when the school closed for stabilization and cleanup of lead hazards on March 17. The precautionary closure allowed for intensive work to proceed in the school. No children at the school have been identified as having elevated lead levels in their blood in connection with lead dust at Fernwood.
MPS will continue enhanced cleaning and maintenance protocols throughout the building to ensure the school remains safe for students and staff.
The district is continuing to inspect its school buildings for lead hazards, prioritizing the oldest buildings with the youngest learners. Older buildings are more likely to contain lead, and children younger than 6 are most vulnerable to lead hazards.
Meanwhile, work is proceeding at Starms Early Childhood Center and LaFollette School, which also closed March 17.