HAMILTON SUMMARY
(Last December)
Construction on Hamiltons roof began the week of December 16, 2002. Work on the roof caused vibrations in the classrooms that resulted in particles falling on furniture surfaces. These vibrations were a constant auditory distraction throughout the week. Students had difficulty focusing and many of the younger children were frightened. The tar sealant was very noxious causing headaches, sore throats, eye irritations, and stomach upsets. Teachers opened windows to provide ventilation and students had to wear coats to keep warm. The combination of dust and odor caused breathing difficulty for one staff member. One teacher contacted her doctor because of concern for her unborn child. Hamilton never received written notification regarding the materials to be used and the possible health hazards that they may cause. Students were moved to the multi-purpose room when heavy machinery was on the roof and could lead to dangerous conditions in the classroom.
DAVISVILLE SUMMARY
(This September)
Initial Notification to teachers was done through a note that went home to parents. We were not told (as it was unknown) that debris, water, and paint chips would be falling through the ceiling. The slated ceilings allowed for odor and debris to fall through into the classrooms unexpectedly.
Construction began on Monday 9/22/03 over the kindergarten rooms, the cafeteria, and the special needs room. Students remained in their classrooms for the morning. Children from these classes were taken to the outdoor classroom or to other classrooms for the afternoon.
No materials were covered for protection from falling debris, as the problem was unknown at the time.
An outside cleaning service was called in to check the air quality and clean the carpets and the air with fans with hepifilters. They checked for mold and other dangerous substances. Their findings are unknown. It wasnt cleaned very well.
The kindergarten and special needs rooms were also cleaned Thursday night (they had class here Mon-Thurs. before the rooms were cleaned.)
An insurance company came.
Friday
Friday morning there was dirt and dust and paint chips over desks, bookshelves and tables.
The hallway where the third wing was going to be worked on was sealed off for the first time, as the smell was too strong according to OSHA.
Pictures were taken of damaged ceilings, dirt left behind after rooms were cleaned, the sealed off hallway, library room, computer room, art/music room, resource room, reading/ESL room, Speech/OT/PT room.
This week:
Teachers were unable to plan for next week because needed materials were in closed classrooms.
Quality instruction was sacrificed due to movement, overcrowding, lack of sufficient materials.
Movement and noise caused distraction and disruption.
Some children were nervous or scared.
This was a far from ideal teaching and learning experience.
Two pre-emptive attempts for Stony Lane
(Advocate attempted effective communication with Central)
# 1
An email message sent:
-----Original Message-----
Fri 10/17/2003 8:35 AM
RE: Roof Repairs
Doctor Robert Vanderslice from the Health Department sent us information on websites provided by the Us Government. There are two chemicals in the glue that are harmful; toluene and xylene. Toluene in low levels affects the nervous system of both adults and children. Symptoms include tiredness, confusion weakness, nausea, loss of appetite, hearing and vision loss. It also causes birth defects and retarded mental abilities and growth if a pregnant woman is exposed. Xylene causes irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, difficulty breathing, impaired function of the lungs, kidneys and liver. It also causes headaches, dizziness, confusion and lack of muscle control and birth defects. I have the toxicology reports on both chemicals if you would like a copy. We were told that the gluing would take place on Oct. 29 because there are 2 professional development days on the 30th and 31st which would be held in another location. The building would be empty for 4 days. In the Journal Bill Daly said that the gluing will take place on Saturday the 25th.
What can we do to be sure that no one, child or adult, is knowingly placed in harms way?
# 2
An earlier email message sent:
-----Original Message-----
Tue 10/14/2003 1:19 PM
We were informed today that the health department was called regarding the chemicals in the glues that will be used. Doctor Vanderslice from the health department was surprised that anyone would be in the building while these chemicals were being used. His response was that if you could smell it than you are being exposed and that side effects include headaches, nausea, and fatigue. It can also cause birth defects, which is why anyone pregnant or trying to become pregnant should be out of the building. It takes about a week for the fumes to completely dissipate. What do we do as many of us have concerns regarding this????? How will this situation be handled at other schools which will be in the same situation soon?
Stony Lane Summary
(This month)
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003
Subject: SL roof
Stony Lane children had burning eyes and minor headaches. A child in my classroom has a blood disorder and was affected by the chemicals being used. His mom (Lisa Johnson) has contacted Dr. Halley and the school committee, but neither has responded to her regarding this issue. Mrs. Johnson is also a chemical engineer, and asked for the gluing to take place while we were not in school, due to her child's blood disorder. Her son has not been back to school since this happened. Mrs. Johnson took her son to Hasbro last Friday, where they have been monitoring his blood levels ever since. Hopefully, her son will be coming back to school tomorrow. The teachers and Paras suffered with burning eyes and noses, metal taste in mouths, difficulty breathing, headaches, coughing, sore throats and redness in faces. Some were affected more than others, depending if you were in the right or wrong area. Kindergarten had to relocate their classrooms on Monday into the cafeteria. 4th grade the teachers had redness in faces and trouble breathing. 3rd grade had burning noses, red eyes, and metal taste in mouths.
FOREST PARK SUMMARY
Forest Park was closed on Monday and we were just told that it will be closed next Monday as well. Aside from the disruption of instruction time, the confusion has negatively impacted the students. Some students were absent yesterday because they have allergies but some were absent because they did not get the word that school was open. Many of the students have been inattentive because they think they will be getting a day off, only to find out at the last minute that there will indeed be school. Teachers have delayed beginning new concepts because they fear that the disruption of closing school will affect student learning. Some teachers had breathing difficulties yesterday. On Monday we will have used up all of our professional development days that were allocated for school use. Since they had to be planned at the last minute, many felt that they were not of the quality they wanted. The professional development had to be done at alternate locations so teachers did not have access to items they may have needed. Yesterday there was a strong order in the building when teachers and students arrived. The building was checked out and the doors were opened. The windows could not be opened because they were taped shut. Many children spent the day wearing their coats. The staff feels that this whole situation has been handled poorly with no concern for students, parents and teachers.
Compiled and e-mailed by Bob Sullivan, President NEANK 11/15/2003
[edited for viewing on web 11/16/03]