Wyandotte High School fire forces second week of virtual learning

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - Wyandotte High School is entering its second week of virtual learning after a fire in a small closet beneath the school auditorium forced nearly 2,000 students and 125 teachers out of the building.

The fire occurred on January 30 in a stairwell closet under the auditorium. While there was no major structural damage, smoke and soot spread throughout the hallways, making the building unsafe for occupancy.

Principal Dr. Brian Guliford said the school tentatively plans to reopen next Tuesday, February 17.

“We want to look at as early as possible next week to return to the building, but I am going to leave that up to our experts and to our other district vendors and community partners to give us that green light,” Guliford said. “When we have that green light we will all return so that we are all safe.”

District addresses student needs during closure

More than 125 staff members are working from the district’s central office to keep students on track with their learning during the closure.

The district faces significant logistical challenges in feeding and educating the displaced students. Officials are providing free meals at three elementary schools: Mark Twain Elementary School at 2300 Minnesota Ave, New Chelsea Elementary School at 2500 Wood Ave and Quindaro Elementary School at 2800 Farrow Ave. The meals can be picked up at these three locations from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. during the school day.

Claudia Martin-Ayoade, operations manager for nutrition services for KCK Public Schools, oversees the preparation of up to 1,200 lunches and more than 400 breakfasts daily.

“It’s important simply because we know, we have seen studies that have shown that some of our students, that the meals that they eat at school are sometimes the only meals they have for the day,” Martin-Ayoade said.

On average, about 90 students show up for the meal distribution each day.

Internet access challenges

The district identified that some students lack internet access for virtual learning. To address this, officials opened the administrative office doors, allowing students to use computers there.

Guliford said about 80 to 100 students need this support.

“We have spent the better part of today messaging directly to those students and families so we can invite them here so they could enjoy that continuity of learning along with other classmates that do have the internet at home,” he said.

Partial reopening possible

Even when the school reopens, some areas may remain closed for continued cleanup. Guliford said the district is preparing multiple scenarios to ensure safety.

“We want to make sure the building is safe, we want to make sure we can get students and families back into the building under the most optimal conditions,” he said.

The district reports no signs of foul play in the fire, but the investigation continues.