Growing Kids Valparaiso will be open on Tuesday Nov 15!

Even with the lightning strike, the center will be open on Tuesday Nov 15!
We spent all Monday afternoon and early evening inspecting the damage, making critical repairs and getting licensing approval to be open on Tuesday.
 - The lightning strike appears to have hit something metal on the outside of the building (like a downspout), and then fried our communications lines and equipment.
 - The building itself was not damaged, fortunately.
 - Our main phone number is working with limited service.
 - Our phone system is severely damaged (that provides our answering message, allows us to handle multiple calls and transfer calls between rooms).
  - Our fire alarm system has been severely damaged.
  - Repair crews will be on-site Tuesday to further assess the damage and to make additional repairs.

To comply with licensing regulations, we must have an approved functioning fire detection system. Normally, centers use smoke detectors, etc. Since our system is badly damaged, we have hired Valparaiso fire department personnel to be on site (like a human fire detection system) to enable the center to be open legally.

We would like to thank everyone at the Valparaiso Fire Department, the State Fire Marshall Office, the State Department of Child Care, Martin Security, and COMCAST for all their help today. Special thanks to Cooks Corner School for allowing our students to "visit" there for most of the day.

We will have more information tomorrow / Tuesday.

Thanks.
Mike

Nov. 14, 2011 - Valparaiso Center Struck by Lightning earlier today

About mid-day on Monday November 14, the Growing Kids Learning Center building was struck by lightning. Everyone is OK, but the building may have been damaged. It is being inspected this afternoon to see what repairs are needed. All the children have been moved to Cooks Corner School.

  -- We are asking all parents to pick up their children as soon as they can.

  -- The center MAY NOT be open Tuesday Nov 15, depending on what repairs need to be done.

  -- We will post all updates on this site.

If you have any questions, please call Julie Clarke @ 574-220-6431. She is the Growing Kids Director of Operations.

More information as it develops. Thanks
Mike Garatoni, President Growing Kids Learning Centers.