Dunwoody High students learn from home Thursday and Friday while crews repair water valves that left discolored water in parts of the building, the principal said.

Dunwoody High School students are learning from home Thursday and Friday while crews repair water valves at the school. The valve problems left discolored water in parts of the building, Principal Tom Bass said.

Bass set out the plan in a letter to staff and families Wednesday. Atlanta News First and 11Alive both published the full letter word for word. The DeKalb County School District had not posted a statement on its own website by Thursday.

What the principal said

“First, we experienced water valve issues that resulted in discolored water in a few areas of the building,” Bass wrote.

“To allow for the necessary water valve repairs, students, teachers, and staff will transition to asynchronous-virtual learning on Thursday and Friday of this week,” he said.

The letter, as carried by 11Alive, covers three problems at the school this week:

  • Water. Bottled water is available on site for students and staff, including in the kitchen, and restrooms remain open, Bass said.
  • Air conditioning. The water problem also affected heating and cooling units in parts of the school. Bass said the affected units have been repaired and are cooling again.
  • Portable classrooms. Concerns were raised about possible mold in the portables. “We have confirmed that the substance in question is not mold,” Bass wrote. “However, out of an abundance of caution, we will conduct air quality testing to further assess the environment.”

Essential 12-month staff remain on site, the letter said.

The letter does not say what caused the valves to fail. It also does not say when students will be back in the building or when the air quality results will be shared.

What it means for you

  • Students work asynchronously from home Thursday and Friday, Oct. 15-16. That means assignments to complete on their own time instead of live classes. The school’s website lists Canvas as its virtual learning platform.
  • After-school activities go ahead. Before- and after-school activities and events continue on campus as scheduled Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the letter said.
  • Teachers and staff also work virtually, except essential 12-month staff.
  • Watch for the next update from the school on when in-person classes resume. This story will be updated when the school or the district publishes it.

Dunwoody High is at 5035 Vermack Road. Its zone, report card and feeder schools are on our Dunwoody High School page, and every school serving the city is on our Dunwoody schools page. Earlier this month the school posted its highest graduation rate on record.