Framingham Schools Dealing With Bathroom Issues

A couple of Framingham schools have been dealing with more than reading, writing, and math.

Last week, Potter Road Elementary had a small fire in a boy’s bathroom. Reports the school is considering eliminating paper towels from the school and going with dryers.

This week, Fuller Middle School sent out two memos to parents about vandalism issues with the boys and girls bathrooms.

Originally, the middle school told parents that several bathrooms would be closed until March 16, but a second memo went home last night stating the bathrooms would be available today, March 6.

This is not the first time bathroom issues have been raised this year in the Framingham Public Schools.

Earlier this year, Framingham High parents and students complained about stall doors that didn’t lock, soap dispenser that didn’t work, and paper towels and toilet paper all over the floors.

School Committee member Eric Silverman brought the high school issue to the attention of administration at a Committee meeting. Later Silverman reported the matter was being addressed on a closed Facebook site.

In regards to Fuller Middle School, the Principal wrote to parents this week and said “it has come to our attention that there have been some problems in both the girls and boys bathrooms at our school. There have been reports of graffiti, misuse of paper towels and soap, and even some property damage. While we realize that this is likely the result of a few students making poor decisions, we believe that you all have the right to a clean and safe bathroom. In order for us to address this issue, we are temporarily closing the regular bathrooms in order to conduct a full investigation.”

”For today and tomorrow, and all of next week, you will be able to use any of the four bathrooms in the nurse’s office. We realize that this is an inconvenience for you and we are sorry to have to do this,” wrote Principal Sharon Seyller, in an email to parents. ”Thank you for understanding that we need time to figure out what’s happening, and how to support students to make good decisions, based on our core values of respect, responsibility, and results.”

”We also ask that if you have any first-hand knowledge of students who are making these poor choices in the bathroom, please notify us so that we can listen to your concerns, and take appropriate action,” wrote the principal in her first memo to parents. ”We are asking that you speak with your child about the need to make sure they are doing their part by being respectful and responsible when using the bathrooms. We plan to re-open all bathrooms on Monday, March 16.”

Thursday night, a second memo went home to parents explaining that the bathrooms re-opened mid-day on Thursday for Fuller sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students.

“Recent weeks have seen an escalation in vandalism problems in bathrooms around the school. Several bathrooms around the building were closed today while we work to establish new practices for supervision and renewal of expectations for bathroom behavior. At no time were any students unable to visit a bathroom when needed. Our intent was to supervise more closely bathroom use while looking for the best resolution to this problem, recognizing that the vast majority of our students are not to blame for the problems. All bathrooms were made available for use mid day today (Thursday),” wrote the principal. “Over the next few days, we will work with staff and students to develop practices in the school that will prevent unpleasant and costly damage to our bathrooms, and allow students to use the facilities in a healthy and safe manner.”