It sounds like something from the Third World.
Kids at a school were given only a half a glass of water per day.
But this didn't happen in a drought-stricken nation. It happened here in Chicago at the
Jose de Diego Community Academy in Humboldt Park.
A water main break revealed other plumbing problems at the school. So the students went 11 weeks on water rations. Water fountains were shut down. After Sun-Times Reporter Rosalind Rossi discovered the problem, large water bottles were brought into the school for a temporary fix.
The Chicago Public Schools and the city Building Department need to fix this problem now. We can't let the kids go thirsty any longer.
This blog brought to you by the Sun-Times editorial board (click on names to read bios):
About this Christmas page 2007, We need talk more of the birth
Jesus Christ, and remember THE CHRISTMAS FAMILY in thid year (2007).
I wish Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2008.
Thankyou
Luis Prenda
I am writing about the water issue at the school.
The PTA or the Parents should be up in arms about why it took 11 weeks to get the water-main fixed rather than the fact that the school did what was necessary to keep the children hydrated, unless the school was being slow to respond. The parents should have been happy no one required them to furnish water in this trying time. I am sure the teachers weren't too happy with no real drinking and handwashing water.
Thanks to Fran Spielman for the follow-up article. It seems the plumbing inspectors-in-charge at the Chicago Building Department need to answer to Mayor Daley as to why they harassed the Inspector Michael McGann and attempted to punish him for just doing his job. I think the repairs would have been made faster if the school was Taft or some Chicago School in a more affluent neighborhood. I also want to know, which North District Water Department crew made the water main repair? Was the water main flushed out long enough after the repair was made? We need a case study for future use in the Chicago Department of Water Management.