Lincoln Avenue students to stay together at Pulaski High School after fire; parent says decision 'gave us hope'
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Families of Lincoln Avenue School students now know where their children will return to class this fall.
Milwaukee Public Schools announced the entire Lincoln Avenue School community will attend classes together at Pulaski High School for the upcoming school year after a massive fire destroyed Lincoln Avenue School last week.
For parent Marisol Vargas, the announcement brings relief after days of uncertainty.
"They used to ask me almost every day, 'Mom, have you heard anything, where are we going to go?'" Vargas said.
Vargas' twin daughters are among nearly 500 Lincoln Avenue students who will begin the school year at Pulaski.
MPS Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius said keeping the school community together was a priority as the district searched for a location.
"This has been a really hard situation for our families and our students and the entire community, so having everybody together in the community is really important for continuity for their learning," Cassellius said.
The district said Pulaski was the closest option that could keep all Lincoln Avenue students and staff together in one location while remaining on Milwaukee's south side.
"Pulaski is a very large high school, and they had Carmen school there, but they moved out and that presented an opportunity for us to be able to use the school," Cassellius said.
Vargas said hearing the district's decision brought relief to students and families.
"The Lincoln Avenue kids were relieved. They were so happy, it gave us hope. I am so grateful that they took that into consideration and kept the kids, community, and staff together," she said.
She said learning more about how the transition will work also eased her concerns.
"They're going to have different entrances. Reassured us there will be transportation and will have time to play outside, different cafeterias, different bathrooms," Vargas said.
Vargas said her daughters are especially excited they will continue school alongside the classmates they have grown up with.
"They get to walk down the stage in 5th grade with their longtime friends, they were very excited," she said.
MPS will hold community meetings about the transition on July 13 at 9 a.m. and July 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the Rogers Street Academy Boys and Girls Club, 2404 W. Rogers St., Milwaukee.