Important Information Regarding the Temporary Relocation
of  Edwin Forrest School to Austin Meehan Middle School

There have been continued student enrollment growth and school capacity challenges throughout the Lincoln HS catchment area for the past several years, including Forrest. As a result, in 2017, the District began implementing a broad strategy to relieve overcrowding, expand school capacity, and modernize schools in the area. Major components of this strategy include but are not limited to:

1. the opening of Northeast Community Propel Academy, a new K-8 school in SY21-22,
2. the truncation of Forrest to K-5 in SY21-22,
3. the expansion of Pollock and Holme to grades K-7 in SY21-22 and K-8 in SY22-23,
4. the phase-out and closure of Meehan Middle School at the end of SY21-22, and
5. the continued use of the Meehan building as a swing space for schools undergoing major renovations or construction

Forrest will also receive significant capital improvements as part of these changes, prompting the relocation of a portion of the school’s population to the Meehan building for the 2022-2023 academic year.

What is the timeline of the temporary location?

The relocation is set to begin on August 29, 2022 (the first day for students) and conclude on June 13, 2023 (the last day for students).

Why is this temporary relocation necessary?

The temporary relocation is necessary to provide the best educational environment for students during the Major Renovation project to the Forrest School. It will also allow for a quicker return to a completed Forrest School.

How are temporary relocation sites identified?

Several factors are considered when selecting the best relocation site for a specific school, including:

• distance from current school - we want to minimize additional travel time for students, families, and staff.
• Amount of space available - whenever possible, we prefer to keep the entire school together at one relocation site. Seeing as many familiar student and staff faces as possible helps create a consistent student experience. We also prefer schools with unused space, so we are not disrupting operations for the host school.
• Type of space available - a cafeteria, dedicated bathrooms for students and staff, and the necessary number of classrooms are some of the basic needs that must be met.
• Separate entryways and exits - having a separate entrance and exit is crucial to maintaining safe and orderly school operations, especially when the school is co-located with another school.
• availability - ability to quickly prepare the space for occupancy and return students to a learning environment

Why was Austin Meehan Middle School selected as the temporary relocation site for Edwin Forrest School?

Austin Meehan Middle School was the best option because it:

• is close by -- within 2 miles of  Edwin Forrest School
• It has previously been used successfully as a swing space and has unused classrooms in a completely separate area of the building
•  to accommodate ALL Edwin Forrest School, Grades 2-5 students; Kindergarten-Grade 1 students will remain at the Primary Education Center located on the Forrest School Main Campus located at 7300 Walker Street.
• has a fully functional cafeteria and private restrooms, and
• has a separate door for admissions and dismissal of Edwin Forrest School

What precautions are being taken to ensure the safety and well-being of Forrest students during this relocation?

The school area to be occupied by Edwin Forrest School is an entirely separate area of the building. Therefore, there will be no interaction between Pollock and Forrest students. Additional school security has been added to the Austin Meehan location to accommodate the temporary relocation of Pollock and Forrest.

Morning Dropoff at Meehan

Arrival  7:30 am

Dismissal 2:09 pm    

Buses will pick up students at the neighborhood community stops between 6:45 am and 7:00 am. Buses are scheduled to arrive at the Meehan site at 7:15 am.

      Stops are planned as follows:

• Sheffield & Walker,
• Sheffield & Torresdale,
• Bleigh & Torresdale,
• Bleigh & Erdrick,
• Walker & Wellington
• Friendship & Edmund

Morning Bus Arrival at Meehan

• Buses will pull up to a separate entrance of the school, and SDP staff members will escort students directly into the separate, private area of the building.

Operating Practices During the School Day 

• Instruction will be conducted within the dedicated classrooms for Forrest students.
• Students will eat breakfast and lunch in a private cafeteria just for Forrest.
• Students will have access to private restrooms throughout the day.
• Forrest Staff will monitor hallways and bathrooms to ensure student safety and comfort in the new space.

Afternoon Bus Ride Meehan

• Buses will return to the exact separate morning drop-off location.
• At 2: 09 P.M., Forrest staff will escort students out of the building and begin safely loading them onto the buses.
• Important: We will notify the parent/guardian at 2:24 P.M. (15 minutes past dismissal) and remind them to pick up their child from Meehan.

Lunches

• Principals will provide a lunch schedule using the existing cafeteria area; Meehan has a full-service kitchen.