health & safety

Updated 8/24/2010

I heard in the community that the school is using its security cameras to spy on employees. Is this true? Sounds pretty fishy.

The High School had a 16-channel DVR unit installed during the 2007 capital project. In the 2009-10 school year, the district used ARRA money to install a 16-channel DVR unit in the elementary school and purchase eight cameras. The cameras are positioned to view every exterior area and entrances for security purposes.

 

Updated 7/06/2010

What grade levels require a physical health exam?

New York State requires a physical exam for students in grades K, 2, 4, 7 and 10, as well as for new entrants.

Updated 5/17/2010

Is it sanitary for teachers to lick their fingers while passing out papers? Blowing on the papers usually separates them, so I see no reason for the teachers to potentially pass along germs to the students.

According to the school nurses, it is not sanitary, citing the most effective and sanitary way to separate papers with finger thimbles. Preventing the spread of germs has been a top priority for the district this school year in the wake of H1N1 and seasonal flu. Posters dot school hallways and bathrooms, a wealth of resources are available online and hand sanitizers have been installed in classrooms among other initiatives.

 

Updated 2/22/2010

Letters went home this fall about keeping your children home when they are sick....now letters are going home if they missed a certain number of days because they were sick and emphasizing how important attendance is.............Is this a new policy to send attendance letters out?

In accordance with the district's attendance policy, as outlined in the middle/high school student handbook on pages 8-9 and the elementary school student handbook on page 4, letters are being sent home to make parents aware of the number of absences their child has to date. This policy became effective during the 2008-09 school year to ensure students meet their attendance requirements and don't fall behind on their school work.

Letters were sent home earlier this school year encouraging parents to keep children home who were exhibiting flu-like symptoms for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. This was in response to the outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus—a serious public safety risk.

posted 11/23/2009

Is there a mold issue at the elementary school?

No, mold has not been confirmed at the elementary school. However, district officials have been investigating a mysterious odor. After a thorough inspection, they determined the odor to be caused by dampness in the building's insulation above two classrooms.

A BOCES Health/Safety/Risk Management safety specialist conducted an air quality test of one of the classrooms in question and determined that it could continue to be used as is.

In an effort to remove the odor, the insulation has been removed in one of the classrooms so far, and will be removed from the second.

The district considers the health and safety of our students and staff to be our highest priority, and will continue to monitor and address the situation as it is identified.

posted 11/4/2009

Recently, neighboring school district's have sent letters home with children imploring parents not to send sick kids to school due to unusually severe illness this year, why has this not been done here ?

The district is planning to provide updated information about the flu soon. A link will be provided here once it becomes available. Information is now posted in the H1N1 resources section of the district Web site.

posted 9/17/2009

What is the school policy regarding hand gels/sanitizers? With the flu season upon us, it is important that children wash their hands or use hand sanitizer/gel. Unfortunately, a few teachers are telling children not to use gels or hand sanitizer and actually making children wash it off their hands. If a parents wants their children to use gels/sanitizers teachers should not tell kids that they cannot use it. In all Health Department documentation on this subject, they are encouraging the use of gels/hand sanitizers.

The district is not allowing students to carry their own bottles of alcohol-based hand sanitizer in school because they are flammable and can be toxic if ingested. However, the district will be providing touch-free dispensers containing hand sanitizer in every classroom as well as in the cafeteria and nurse’s office so that student-use can be monitored under the direct supervision of a teacher or staff member. 

posted 9/8/2009

Is someone going to do a walk through of the elementary playground before school starts? We noticed a lot of bees when we went.

Yes. The head custodian conducts a walk-through once a week to ensure the playground's safety. He has been notified about the bees and will keep an eye out for them. Once the bees are located they will be removed.