News Summary
Riverside University High School has postponed its opening day to September 3 due to a chemical spill that raised safety concerns. Although air quality tests returned negative results, the cleanup is ongoing, and several classrooms will remain closed. The spill is believed to be linked to outdated science equipment containing mercury, prompting an investigation. MPS emphasizes student safety and will keep families updated on the situation as they work to ensure a secure environment for students and staff.
Milwaukee – Riverside University High School has announced a postponement of its opening day to September 3, following a chemical spill incident that occurred in the facility. The Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) district notified parents through a letter, advising them that students should not report to school on September 2.
MPS Deputy Superintendent Eduardo Galván confirmed that although air quality tests following the spill returned negative results, the cleanup is still in progress. A few classrooms will remain closed until further notice. The MPS has stressed the importance of ensuring a safe environment for students before they return.
The cause of the spill is currently under investigation. Preliminary reports indicate that old science equipment containing mercury might have been a contributing factor. School officials are working diligently to determine the full circumstances of the incident and to take necessary precautions to prevent future occurrences.
Although students are prohibited from attending school on the designated day, all school staff members are expected to report to work as scheduled on September 2. This decision was made to facilitate ongoing cleanup operations and to ensure that adequate planning is in place for students’ safe return.
This unforeseen closure impacts Riverside University High School’s academic calendar, as families were anticipating the start of the school year on September 2, which is a normal opening day for numerous other schools within the Milwaukee Public Schools system.
In light of the incident, MPS has emphasized its commitment to student safety and welfare. The district has a responsibility to assess and ensure that all educational environments are secure and conducive to learning.
This year, Riverside University High School had planned various programs and activities to kick off the academic year. The temporary disruption due to the spill has created extra challenges for students, parents, and faculty as they navigate this unexpected change in schedule.
Authorities have previously warned about the dangers of handling mercury, particularly in outdated scientific equipment, which has led to heightened scrutiny across schools maintaining such tools. In this case, Riverside University High School is taking proactive measures to safeguard the health and safety of its students and staff members during this cleaning process.
As cleanup efforts continue, the MPS district will provide updates regarding the situation and ensure all stakeholders are informed about the ongoing proceedings. The health and safety of students remain a top priority, and further investigations will determine the protocols needed to secure the school environment before classes resume.
As the situation develops, students and parents are advised to monitor communications from the Milwaukee Public Schools for any additional updates regarding school operations and safety measures in place following this incident.
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Additional Resources
- WISN: Chemical Spill Delays First Day of School at Riverside High School
- Wikipedia: Chemical Spill
- TMJ4: Chemical Spill Closes One Milwaukee School
- Google Search: School Chemical Spills
- Fox6Now: Riverside University High School Closed Due to Chemical Spill
- Google Scholar: Chemical Spill Protocols in Schools
- WUWM: Milwaukee Area Students Are Back to School
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Safety
- Hoodline: Milwaukee’s Riverside University High School Postpones First Day Amid Cleanup
- Google News: Milwaukee High School Chemical Spills
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
