Asbestos concerns force Kensington High School students to temporary Northeast Philadelphia building

With just two days until the start of the school year, Kensington High School families got their first look Friday and Saturday at the building students will temporarily call home after asbestos concerns forced them out of their usual school.

The School District of Philadelphia held two open houses at the former Austin Meehan Middle School in Northeast Philadelphia, giving families a chance to tour classrooms, meet staff and learn more about transportation and accommodations before classes begin Monday.

Among those who attended Saturday's session was 14-year-old Jack Mott, an incoming freshman, who says the first day of school can't come soon enough.

"I feel excited," Jack said.

His mother, Monica Mott, however, is a bit anxious.

"We're very nervous," she said.

The Mott family lives near Kensington High School in Port Richmond, but Jack will now travel more than 7 miles to Northeast Philadelphia each day. Mott said the last-minute change is particularly concerning because her son is in autistic support.

"So there's extra concerns for us," Mott said.

Addressing families gathered in the Meehan cafeteria Friday, Deputy Superintendent of Operations Oz Hill acknowledged how quickly the plans changed.

"Two weeks ago, nobody thought that they would be starting their school year right here, and for that, we apologize," Hill said.

Families also learned more about transportation between Kensington and the temporary school.

Students will be able to take district-provided transportation from the Kensington High School location on Cumberland Street to the Meehan building in Northeast Philadelphia.

For the Mott family, that means a significantly earlier start to the day.

"His pickup time historically has been 7:45. It'll now be 6:30," Mott said. "He's not a morning person, so we'll see how that goes come Monday."

For another mother, Paula Louis, the distance raises concerns about how quickly she could reach her son in an emergency.

"And I don't drive, so it's taking two buses to get all the way here," Louis said.

Her son, Fabian, is also entering ninth grade.

Kensington High School Principal Jose Lebron told families the Meehan building was selected with students' safety and needs in mind.

"Austin Meehan, as far as it may be, is the safest, secure, clean environment for our kids to be at," Lebron said.

District officials also said the building is accessible for students with special needs. For Monica Mott, that means safety for her son.

"They've actually set up — very well — all of the classrooms with amenities and things that they need," Mott said. "Refrigerators, microwaves, there are sensory items."

Other parents said simply getting inside the building and meeting the people who will be there with their children made a difference.

"They showed me around. I feel comfortable knowing that he's in good hands," Louis said.