WHAT HAPPENED:

On the morning of Wednesday, September 18th, a fire occurred at Brunkow Preschool. At approximately 7:45 a.m., staff noticed a smell and discovered smoke. Students had just started arriving and were immediately evacuated. Thanks to our emergency response procedures, all nine students and 32 staff members were safely evacuated without harm. Buses were rerouted, and parents were notified to pick up their children or expect buses to return them home.

The Saginaw, Bridgeport, and Buena Vista Fire Departments responded to the scene, and the fire was confirmed to be fully extinguished by 9:30 a.m. It was determined by the Buena Vista Fire Department's Deputy Chief Aaron Hoeppner that the cause of the fire was electrical.

UPDATE FROM 11/18:

We hope this message finds you well. In addition to our previous item retrieval event, we are offering another opportunity for Brunkow families to collect any personal belongings that remained after the fire.

Additional Pick-Up Details:

• Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2024

• Time: 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

• Location: RiverBend Self Storage North, Unit B57/B58

• Address: 1850 Midland Rd, Saginaw, MI 48638

When you arrive, you will need to sign a release form to either retrieve your items or provide authorization for us to dispose of them.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding as we continue to support our families through this process. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at (989) 752-2193.

UPDATE FROM 9/27:

We are excited to share that the temporary location for Brunkow children and families is prepared to open and serve families starting Monday, September 30th. The temporary location is Valley Preschool at 1815 Tittabawassee Road, Saginaw, MI 48604.

Transportation, provided by First Student, will begin on Monday, September 30th for families who have indicated a need. Transportation routes are still being finalized, and all transportation students will receive communication from First Student before Monday, September 30th. First Student will contact parents to provide the estimated pickup/drop-off times.

We are also aware that your blankets were damaged in the fire. Therefore, we will provide new blankets for your children.

Thank you again for your understanding and flexibility. We look forward to welcoming your children back. Please continue to monitor this page for updated information. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at (989) 752-2193.

UPDATE FROM 9/20 AT 3:50 P.M.:

We have secured a temporary location for impacted Brunkow students at our Valley Preschool site at 1815 Tittabawassee Road, Saginaw, MI 48604. We anticipate being prepared to open and operate services at this location starting Monday, September 30th.

Over the next week, we will be working to prepare the building and spaces for your children, ensuring all necessary furniture is in place and licensing requirements are met. We understand this delay is unfortunate, and we deeply appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

If your family has any immediate needs, such as access to meals or mental health supports, please call us at (989) 752-2193. For Early Head Start families, diapers and formula are also available. Our teachers will be reaching out on Monday, September 23rd, to check in with each family and assess any additional needs. During these touchpoints, teachers will also offer curriculum content that can be done at home until we are ready to resume in-person services.

We are also working closely with our transportation providers to support any families needing assistance with transportation to the Valley Preschool site. Please convey any needs regarding this to your child’s teacher when they reach out on Monday. 

Thank you again for your understanding and flexibility. We look forward to welcoming your children back soon. Please continue to monitor this page for updated information.

UPDATE FROM 9/19 AT 11 A.M.:

We want to provide an important update following yesterday's fire at Brunkow Preschool. Yesterday, parents were notified via the Class Dojo app, at approximately 3:00 p.m., that there would be no classes today. We apologize if you did not receive this communication in a timely manner. Please allow this communication to serve as a follow-up for information regarding our next clear steps moving forward.

Currently, our team is working on securing a relocation site for your child's classroom under the guidelines of state licensing and regulations to set up temporary preschool classrooms. Please rest assured that we are doing everything possible to expedite the process to ensure your child returns to a learning environment that meets their needs as quickly as possible.

By the end of the day on Friday (9/20), you can expect to hear from your child’s teacher via phone call as well as an update in Class Dojo. The district will also provide an update to all parents via our social media platforms and our website at https://www.sisd.cc/page/brunkow-preschool-fire-updates

During this time, we are also focused on ensuring that our staff and families receive the necessary support to address any feelings they may be experiencing related to this event. Our Saginaw ISD Crisis Team is supporting our team members today. If you or your child wish to receive mental health support related to the events of yesterday, please use the contact information below.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this challenging situation. Please continue to monitor the communications from your child’s teacher and via our district website. Our commitment to your child's safety and education is our top priority, and we are working diligently to bring our youngest learners back into their classrooms. Thank you for your continued support.

Please call Claytor Preschool at  (989) 752-2193, and you will be transferred to the correct person for any questions regarding mental health support, missing personal items, questions, concerns, etc.