School Health and Safety Notices
General Information
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Federal Resources |
State Resources |
Local Resources |
School Resources |
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Town of Lexington News & Events
Office of Community Development,
Health Division and Board of Health Board of Health Frequently Asked Questions
Department of Human Services
Youth and Family Services |
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This web site will be updated regularly as information becomes available at the federal and international level.
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The web sites referenced will be updated regularly as information becomes available at the state level.
An information hotline called Mass 211 is available to answer general questions about the emergency and other related information. It can be reached by simply dialing 211 (the same way that you dial 411) and listen to the menu choices or stay on the line.
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The web sites referenced will be updated regularly as information becomes available at the local level for the Town of Lexington and the Lexington Public Schools.
Answers to recently-asked questions about the Town's Reverse 911 system.
Lexington Public Schools emergency notification system is a separate system from the Town's Reverse 911. |
This web site will be updated regularly as information becomes available at the school department and school building level. |
Student Red Flags and Risky Behavior Resources
Lexington Public Schools Anti-Bullying Legislation Information (posted September 1, 2010)
Red Flags
and
Resources,
Lexington: How to spot the red flags of risky behaviors
and find the support you and your child need. {pdf} A collaboration between the
Town of Lexington and the
Lexington Public Schools
Lexington, Massachusetts
Create a Personal Stress Management Guide
For Teens Only! American Academy of Pediatrics
A Teen's Personalized Guide to Managing Stress: An Overview of Stress - Its Causes and Effects American Academy of Pediatrics
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Federal Resources |
State Resources |
Local Resources |
School Resources |
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Town of Lexington Department of Human Services
Youth and Family Services
Town of Lexington Community Resource Guide {pdf} |
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This web site will be updated regularly as information becomes available at the federal and international level.
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The web sites referenced will be updated regularly as information becomes available at the state level.
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The web sites referenced will be updated regularly as information becomes available at the local level for the Town of Lexington and the Lexington Public Schools.
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This web site will be updated regularly as information becomes available at the school department and school building level. |
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): Buildings constructed prior to 1978 may contain caulking made with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Long-term public health impacts are not well documented and understood. The School Department will be following all health and safety protocols established by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Lexington Board of Health. Any projects on our buildings performed by Department of Public Facilities staff or their subcontractors will also be accountable for following DPH health and safety protocols. A summary of the project time table is located below the Resource Table.
Parent and Community Meeting: Dr. Paul Ash, Superintendent of Schools; Pat Goddard, Director of Public Facilities Department; and Gerard Cody, Director of the Health Division and Sandra Trach, Principal will attend the meeting. The district has also invited representatives from EPA and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Time: 7:30 pm (Please note that the time of the meeting has changed to accommodate for change of location)
Location: Cary Hall (located at 1605 Massachusetts Avenue between the police station and town hall.) Please note change of locations from orignal notice to parents.
September 2, 2010: Estabrook Elementary School will be closed.
September 3, 2010: School is already scheduled to be closed on Friday, September 3, 2010 according to the district school calendar (approved June 2, 2009)
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Federal Resources |
State Resources |
Local Resources |
School Resources |
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This section will be updated regularly as information becomes available at the federal and international level. |
This section will be updated regularly as information becomes available at the state level.
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This section will be updated regularly as information becomes available at the local level for the Town of Lexington. |
This section will be updated regularly as information becomes available at the school department or school building level. |
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- PCB Caulk Updated Frequently Asked Questions
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Update Notice from School Department: September 1, 2010
- August 31, 2010: Lexington Health Division received the second round of air sample data. Unfortunately, the approved EPA plan did not produce the expected improvements. The nextstep includes flushing the building with high volumes of outside air over the upcoming Labor Day weekend. EPA currently has the same data that was provided to the Health Division and it is currently under review by the Risk Assessment group.
- Steps have already been taken to provide a safe school environment:
- Interior caulking has been sealed to create a barrier. Wipe tests indicate Non Detect for the presence of PCBs.
- Two rounds of extensive cleaning of the interior have removed any accumulated dust.
- Exterior removal of caulk has been completed. A sealant will be installed, outside of school hours, by end of the week.
- Any soil samples that shows more than 1 parts per million (ppm) and will be covered by an EPA approved method by the end of the week.
- Ingestion, as a potential source of exposure, has been eliminated by the above methods.
- Additional steps that are planned to improve the school environment: Public Facilities will install temporary high power ventilation fans on Friday to “flush,” or turn over the building with fresh air several times over the weekend.
- September 1, 2010: Parent/Community Meeting at Cary Hall, 7:30 pm
- September 2, 2010: Estabrook Elementary School will be closed.
- September 3, 2010: School is already scheduled to be closed on Friday, September 3, 2010 according to the district school calendar (approved June 2, 2009)
Update Notice from School Department: August 25, 2010
- August 9, 2010: air sampling results indicated PCB in the air exceeding the EPA advised maximum concentrations at Estabrook School (Exception: The grade two modular windows do not contain PCB materials);
- August 16, 2010: Environmental Health and Engineering (EH&E) and the Town of Lexington officials immediately sent a plan to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency seeking approval for the expedited removal of the caulk materials around all exterior windows of Estabrook School;
- August 17, 2010: Lexington received approval on the plan from the U.S. EPA. The scope of this project addresses the interior and exterior caulk of all exterior windows of Estabrook School;
- August 18, 2010: A meeting was held with Superintendent Paul Ash, Director of Public Facilities Pat Goddard, Director of the Health Division Gerard Cody and Sandy Trach, Principal, to discuss specific steps for immediately implementing the approved plan;
- August 23, 2010: Financing was appropriated;
- August 24, 2010: The contract for the work was awarded;
- August 24, 2010: Remediation work began;
- August 30, 2010: Anticipated completion of interior window caulk encapsulation will be completed prior to the first day of school.
- September 17, 2010: Anticipated completion of exterior window caulk removal work will occur within the first two weeks of school.
Update Notice from School Department: July 20, 2010
JULY 15 UPDATE:
The results from Environmental Health and & Engineering (EH&E) confirmed that PCB contaminated caulk (>50ppm) at Estabrook and Clarke, but the testing also eliminated several samples of caulk as being PCB free. The Board of Health and DPF have discussed the caulk results with EH&E and are proceeding with air sampling for Clarke and Estabrook to take place in late July. EH&H will determine which rooms need to be tested. The rooms will need to be in normal operating mode during the 8 hour sampling. It is expected this will be done in one day at each school. The air sampling results will take 7 to 10 days. From these results DPF and the Board of Health will implement a corrective action, as approved by the proper regulatory agencies.
JUNE 15 UPDATE:
As a follow up to the Board of Health press release on the PCB and caulk situation, Environmental Health and & Engineering (EH&E) has been contracted by Public Facilities to conduct a two phase analytical approach on measuring the PCB’s in the caulk at Clarke and Estabrook. They will use analytical approaches that are accepted by EPA and DOH. EH&E will resample the caulk at Clarke and Estabrook in mid-June. If the results confirm the presence of PCB’s above 50 ppm, then DPF will schedule phase two, which is indoor air sampling.
Update Notice from Board of Health: May 10, 2010
May 10, 2010 UPDATE: September 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) announced that certain building materials, in particular caulking, may contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Along with this announcement, the EPA provided general guidance which contained information about studies that have been conducted on buildings built between 1950 and 1978. In general, schools and buildings built after 1978 do not contain PCBs in caulk. At one time caulk was manufactured to contain PCBs because PCBs imparted flexibility. Caulk is a flexible material used to seal gaps to make windows, door frames, masonry and joints in buildings and other structures watertight or airtight.
The School Department will be following all health and safety protocols established by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Lexington Board of Health. Any projects on our buildings performed by Department of Public Facilities staff or their subcontractors will also be accountable for following DPH health and safety protocols.
ANNOUNCEMENT:BOIL WATER ORDER LIFTED (Last Updated:
May 4, 2010 5.17 pm )
Flushing of Water System: The Department of Public Facilities staff is currently working to flush all water systems. Time is needed to complete this process. We anticipate all buildings to be back to normal by the end of the day. Students and employees will be notified by the building principal when the water is safe to drink. Completed: May 4, 2010 4:00 PM
Food Service: Water will return to the line for sale. The menu posted for today will remain the same. Food Service will be following the restaurant guidelines provided by the MWRA and the Town of Lexington Board of Health to open with an adjusted menu for Wednesday. We anticipate all services and menu offerings will return to normal on Thursday.
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Federal Resources |
State Resources |
Local Resources |
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This web site will be updated regularly as information becomes available at the federal and international level.
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This web site will be updated regularly as information becomes available at the state level.
An information hotline called Mass 211 is available to answer general questions about the water break and other related information. It can be reached by simply dialing 211 (the same way that you dial 411) and listen to the menu choices or stay on the line.
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This web site will be updated regularly as information becomes available at the local level for the Town of Lexington and the Lexington Public Schools. |
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BOIL WATER ORDER: May 1, 2010 until further notice (Last Updated:
May 3, 2010 3:50 PM
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MEMA and MWRA have reported that the current advisory to boil water is expected to continue for a few more days. The Town Department of Public Health asks residents to continue to use tap water boiled for one minute to be safe for all uses. The Lexington Public Schools requests parents to place a bottle of water, either filled with pre-boiled water from home or store-bought, in each student's backpack to take to school. Please also include additional bottles of water for any athletic event or physical education class the student will be participating in that day.
Our nurses will have access to water for emergency purposes. Our Schools will be modifying our PE & Athletic programs as to not require physical exertion requiring increased water intake. Students will continue to be encouraged to wash their hands. Hand sanitizers will continue to be available outside our computer labs and cafeterias.
The Town is continuing water distribution and information is available at http://www.lexingtonma.gov/portal/news-events.cfm {link}. Donations of bottled water can made be directly to the Public Services Building, 201 Bedford Street, Lexington, MA.
ANNOUNCEMENT: On May 1, 2010, the Office of Community Development, Health Division announced a Boil Water Alert providing answers to frequently asked questions. The Town of Lexington will be posting updates at their News & Events web page and using their reverse 911 notification system also update residents. We will continue to work closely with the Town Manager, Department of Public Health, Department of Public Works, and the the Department of Public Facilities during the current emergency. We will provide updates if and when the current situation changes .
Lexington Public Schools Update: All public schools in Lexington will continue to be open for a regular school day. Water fountains throughout our buildings have been disabled and we anticipate having only a limited supply of bottled drinking water available. Given our limited supplies, students and employees are encouraged to bring drinking water to school for use during the day. In addition, tap water will be available in rest rooms and for hand washing, but not for drinking. Please review the H1N1 hand washing protocol with your children. Hand sanitizer will be available as an ongoing H1N1 flu response protocol.
Food Service: Meals will be provided in all schools, although the water emergency may necessitate altering menus to curtail items that require washing, such as fresh produce. Any fresh produce that is served will be washed using water that was previously boiled per state guidelines. Food service equipment and utensils will be washed using normal procedures, since these already include a sanitizing step. Our Food Service Director will continue to work with the Department of Public Health to ensure that students and staff who participate in the program are provided with safe and nutritious meals. Updated menus will be posted in the food service areas and at the Chartwells menu page.
Vending Machines: Water will continue to be available for sale through our vending machines until the machines runs out. They will not be restocked until a reliable and sustainable source is identified and available.
Food Service Lines: Water is being removed from Food Service lines and reserved for emergency use through the nurses office until a reliable and sustainable source is available. All other beverages will continue to be available for sale through our vending machines and food service lines.
H1N1 Influenza A (Swine Flu) Information
ANNOUNCEMENT: Ongoing efforts until further notice.
Update Notice from School Department: August 27, 2010
Lexington Public Schools has received the following Fall 2010 guidance for schools from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) concerning influenza and influenza-like illness.
- Influenza – Back to School Update from John Auerbach, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Public Health and
Mitchell Chester, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education
- Information for Parents about Influenza and Schools from Department of Public Health
Influenza Guidance for Parents of School-Aged Children issued
September 14, 2009
LPS Prevention Efforts:
- Parents should teach, emphasize, and remind their children
about the importance of proper hand washing and cough etiquette
in preventing the spread of diseases and to explain why it’s
important.
- The Department of Public Facilities is providing to each
school hand sanitizer pump stations in cafeterias, libraries,
and computer labs. Lexington Department of Public Facilities’
cleaning protocols are in place for surfaces and items that
are more likely to have frequent hand contact using “green”
cleaning agents according to their routine schedule. Once
respiratory secretions containing the virus dry out, the virus
is no longer effectively infectious. There is no need for special
disinfecting or decontamination efforts, and the main focus
should be on hand washing and cough and respiratory etiquette.
- Please do not send children to school with products that
contain bleach or other non-hypoallergenic cleaning agents.
We have students with nut and chemical sensitivities that can
have adverse reactions to many common household cleaning products
on the market.
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Federal Resources
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State Resources
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Local Resources
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This web site will be updated regularly as information
becomes available at the federal and international level.
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This web site will be updated regularly as information
becomes available at the state level.
In addition, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
has A H1N1 Virus (Swine flu) hotline, which has been set
up to help answer any general questions about the disease.
Call 1-866-627-7968 and dial 1, or simply dial 211 to
access the hotline.
www.mass.gov/flu.
Weekly Update
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This web site will be updated regularly as information
becomes available at the local level for the Town of Lexington
and the Lexington Public Schools. |
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Flu: What You Can Do - Caring for People at Home: Learn
about flu prevention, caring for someone with the flu, and preparing
for flu season. It is also applicable to a pandemic situation
where hospitals and clinics may already be at full capacity.
Flu: What You Can Do Caring for People at Home (33-page comprehensive
booklet): To receive a free copy printed please contact the
Office of Community Development, Health Division, Gerard Cody,
Health Director at 781-862-0500 x 237 or use the links below.
LPS Prevention Efforts:
- Parents should teach, emphasize, and remind their children
about the importance of proper hand washing and cough etiquette
in preventing the spread of diseases and to explain why it’s
important.
- The Department of Public Facilities is providing to each
school hand sanitizer pump stations in cafeterias, libraries,
and computer labs. Lexington Department of Public Facilities’
cleaning protocols are in place for surfaces and items that
are more likely to have frequent hand contact using “green”
cleaning agents according to their routine schedule. Once
respiratory secretions containing the virus dry out, the virus
is no longer effectively infectious. There is no need for special
disinfecting or decontamination efforts, and the main focus
should be on hand washing and cough and respiratory etiquette.
- Please do not send children to school with products that
contain bleach or other non-hypoallergenic cleaning agents.
We have students with nut and chemical sensitivities that can
have adverse reactions to many common household cleaning products
on the market.
If You Get Sick or Think You Are Sick:
Flu Symptoms Checklist - Spring 2009 (PDF)
Fever Fact Sheets - Spring 2009 (PDF)
Staying at Home with the Flu: Instructions for Those Who Are
Sick and Their Close Contacts - Aug 25, 2009 (PDF)
Translation of Information:
Portuguese (PDF)
Spanish (PDF)
Khmer (PDF)
Haitian Creole (PDF)
Vietnamese (PDF)
Russian (PDF)
Chinese (PDF)
Previous Information Updates:
ANNOUNCEMENT: On January 8 and January 9, the The Office of Community Development, Health Division will hold Seasonal and H1N1 vaccine for those who still wish to be vaccinated. It would also be an opportunity for those who are 10 and under to receive their booster. Parents must be present for the Family Clinic. These clinics are open to all individuals. All school aged children (age 5 through High School) are encouraged to obtain seasonal and H1N1 influenza vaccinations. Please bring health insurance cards for all individuals attending the flu clinics. See attached pdf for additional information regarding this public clinic. {pdf}
- The Seasonal and H1N1 injectable vaccine will contain thimerosal . "Mist" or nasal type seasonal influenza vaccine will be thimerosal free.
- A Family Clinic is defined as an adult or adults accompanied by at least one (1) minor at or under the age of eighteen (18) years of age who wish to be vaccinated.
- A Senior Clinic is defined as an adult at or over the age of sixty (60) years of age who wishes to be vaccinated. We ask that residents sixty-five (65) years and older provide their health insurance card (Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan).
Parent and Guardian Vaccine Update issued September 14, 2009
Fall 2009 Influenza Guidance for Parents of School-Aged Children
(September 14, 2009)
Novel H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Update from Gerard Cody, Director
of Public Health, Lexington, MA - August 26, 2009
Education Material is available for Parents, Guardians, and Students
about H1N1 Influenza A (Swine Flu) Virus (May 11, 2009)
H1N1 Influenza A (Swine Flu) Virus - LPS Parent Update (May 5, 2009)
H1N1 Influenza A (Swine Flu) Virus - LPS Parent Update (May 1, 2009)
Translation of H1N1 Information:
H1N1 Influenza A (Swine Flu) Virus - Korean Translation (June 9,
2009)
H1N1 Influenza A (Swine Flu) Virus - Russian Translation (June 9,
2009)
H1N1 Influenza A (Swine Flu) Virus - Traditional Chinese Translation
(June 9, 2009)
Helpful Information Links:
Flu
Symptoms Check List and Fact Sheets (May 11, 2009)
Talking to Children About H1N1 Influenza A (Swine Flu) Virus: A
Parent Resource
Massachusetts Dept. of
Public Health
Updated Swine Flu Advisory for Schools and Childcare Settings (PDF
form) issued April 29, 2009
