Start delayed for students at crumbling Philly school

NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- For most kids in the city of Philadelphia, summer vacation will soon come to an end as the start of a new school year begins next week.

But for students at Solis-Cohen Elementary, it is being extended another week after officials discovered the school is literally crumbling under their feet.

Fernando Gallard, Philadelphia School District Chief of Communications, discovered the problem while doing work under the building located in Northeast Philadelphia.

Gallard said from inside the building nothing seems to be out of place, but down below tells another story.

"You have to go under the building to see that the support beams for the floors are corroded," Gallard said.

Officials said they plan to make emergency repairs to shore up the part of the school that endangers staff and students, which will delay the first day of school for first through fourth graders until September 16.

Parents like Muhammad Rahmen said they were unaware of the delayed return.

"I was there in the school yesterday. The staff didn't say anything," Rahmen said.

Fifth- and sixth-grade students will begin school on Tuesday, but will attend class at Woodrow Wilson Middle School for the duration of the school year.

Kindergarteners will also start the school year on time on September 17. The school's early-childhood wing was built recently, and there are no safety concerns.

School district officials called parents to inform them of the changes and invite them to informational meetings being held at 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Woodrow Wilson Middle School.

"Today is Thursday. Tuesday is school. Very short time; I really don't know what to do. I'm lost," Rahmen said.

It comes as no surprise some students are excited about the extra time off.

"We are gonna play and shout like we want to," said first grader Adam Abouellessem

School district official said they will make sure the school is safe before students return on the 16th.