Father Judge H.S. to be closed again Wednesday

Though the city has given the all-clear, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has decided to keep Father Judge High School closed Wednesday as officials await the results of further environmental tests.

About 150 people reported to hospitals after a Sunday cheerleading competition at the school, in the Holmesburg section of the Northeast, complaining of eye and skin irritation.

None of the symptoms were life-threatening, though the school was closed Tuesday as the city's Health and Fire Departments conducted tests of the gymnasium where the competition occurred.

The city determined that no hazardous substances remained in the school, though it was unable to determine the source of the irritation, Health Department spokesman James Garrow said.

Nevertheless, the archdiocese has decided to keep the school closed another day while a contractor hired by the archdiocese processes swabs taken of gymnasium surfaces.

Those results are due back early Wednesday afternoon, and the archdiocese hopes the school will be reopened Thursday, spokesman Kenneth Gavin said.