Valentine's Statement on Radioactive Waste Detected at Jana Elementary

A few days ago, radioactive contamination was discovered in the Jana Elementary School in Florissant, Missouri. Jana has decided to transition into virtual learning as of Monday for the foreseeable future. Right now, administration is in the process of cleaning up and disposal, but plan on opening a study going more in depth on this issue.

Parents are understandably outraged with the lack of transparency from administration, as this information about the potential danger was surfaced back in August. The issue was completely undermined up until this week.

The waste found has been dated all the way back to the creation of the first atomic bomb from the 1940’s. Traces of uranium and lead were detected throughout the property, and according to the Centers of Disease Control, “lead exposure can affect nearly every system in the body and later damage the brain and nervous system.”

Trudy Busch Valentine released an official statement regarding this news:

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In this statement, Valentine not only expresses deep concern for her community, but she reiterates how valuable the environment of an education is. As a nurse, mother, and grandmother, Valentine has seen and experienced full circle how important education is and the impact it has on our communities. This devastating news will potentially discourage many parents from re-enrolling them in the district. Not only will it anger the parents from a safety perspective and discourage re-entry, but it could also discourage children as they now have to navigate the nuances of virtual learning.

We have seen the drawbacks of virtual learning from the pandemic, and we are again seeing this same cycle of anxiousness for personal well-being combined with the discouragement and frustrations that follows virtual learning. This young generation has already encountered a traumatizing global pandemic that pushed them to navigate virtual learning, and this cycle of schools having to shut down could potentially disengage the young students.

Valentine's words of affirmation on the importance of our learning environment is the encouragement that parents and children need during this difficult time. The way that she addresses and encourages her community demonstrates her ability as a leader that will help guide Missourians through any other tough times in the future.