PORTAGE PARK — Air conditioning units were installed at Portage Park Elementary School during summer break, thrilling members of the local school council who launched a petition and letter-writing campaign begging the mayor to cool down the school.
A year ago, a heat wave during the first week of school in September made classrooms on the third floor of the school's main building unbearable, according to parents, teachers and students. It was so hot that a plastic bag of crayons melted on a windowsill, Local School Council Chairwoman Victoria Benson said.
"We are so excited for the upcoming year, and we're so grateful it was done," Benson said, praising Principal Maureen Ready for overseeing the work.
A petition and letter-writing drive launched by the LSC on the first day of school last year gathered nearly 600 signatures, and an online petition gathered 243 signatures, Benson said. Many of the letters from students featured drawings of kids with sweat pouring from their faces, struggling to pay attention in class.
Chicago Public Schools officials agreed to install air conditioners in classrooms after former Ald. Tim Cullerton (38th) arranged a meeting with Mayor Rahm Emanuel and members of the LSC.
Heather Cherone discusses the letter writing campaign:
The 100-year-old main building at 5330 W. Berteau Ave. had no air conditioning, and the cooling system in the addition to the school built in 1999 worked only sporadically, before the new system was installed, school officials said.
Installing the new air conditioning system required CPS officials to upgrade the school's electrical system, making planned improvements to the school auditorium and lighting system possible, officials said.
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