By Alex Ginsberg
Chunks of ceiling came crashing down on a classroom full of chemistry students at Floral Park's Sewanhaka High School at around 12:30 p.m. March 5, district officials said.
Nine of the 28 students in the room suffered contusions and skin abrasions and were taken to three area hospitals, according to a statement issued by the superintendent's office. By early evening all were released.
“We could not have asked for a better response on the part of everyone involved in this incident,” said the superintendent, George Goldstein. “The school leaders and teachers were thoroughly calm, cool and professional in their response. The students were orderly and respectful of the need to cooperate.”
Classes were canceled for the duration of last week while officials tried to determine the cause of the collapse. That investigation is still ongoing, although students returned to class Monday. Portions of the school which require repair will remain closed to students and staff.
Air quality tests conducted throughout the building have revealed no contamination of any kind, according to the release.
The three-story school, which was built in 1929, has never had any previous structural problems, the superintendent's office said.
Sewanhaka is one of five high schools in a district that covers the western Nassau county communities of Elmont, Floral Park, Franklin Square and New Hyde Park.
