Notice to Parents and Guardians

Lead Testing of School Drinking Water
August 20, 2021

To protect public health, the Public Health Law and New York State Health Department (NYS DOH) regulations require that all public schools and boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES) test lead levels in water from every outlet that is being used, or could potentially be used, for drinking or cooking.  If lead is found at any water outlet at levels above 15 parts per billion (ppb), which is equal to 15 micrograms per liter (ug/L), the NYS DOH requires that the school take action to reduce the exposure to lead.

The regulations require schools/BOCES to complete the testing in a prescribed manner.  Using what’s called the “first draw testing method.”  What is first draw testing of school drinking water for lead?  The “on-again, off-again” nature of water use at most schools can raise lead levels in school drinking water.  Water that remains in pipes overnight, over a weekend, or over vacation periods stays in contact with lead pipes or lead solder and, as a result, could contain higher levels of lead.  This is why schools are required to collect a sample after the water has been sitting in the plumbing system for a certain period of time.  This “first draw” sample is likely to show higher levels of lead for that outlet than what you would see if you sampled after using the water continuously.  However, even if the first draw sample does not reflect what you would see with continuous usage, it is still important because it can identify outlets that have elevated lead levels.

Sullivan County BOCES testing results. 

The BOCES tested a total of 133 outlets throughout all of its buildings and campuses.  Four Sullivan BOCES outlets sampled on 6/11/2021 exceeded the action level.

School - WSS
Location - Classroom A6
Fixture Type - Classroom sink
Sample Results - 34.7ppb lead

School - RPEC
Location - Main kitchen
Fixture Type - Dish wash sink
Sample Results - 50.3ppb lead

School - RPEC
Location - Main Cafeteria
Fixture Type - Water fountain
Sample Results - 15.7ppb lead

School - RPEC
Location - Ag Mech Lobby Women’s Room
Fixture Type - Bathroom sink
Sample Results - 20.8ppb lead

All other outlets sampled on 6/11/21 returned results below the current action level of <15ppb lead in water. 

What is being done in response to the results?

Outlets that tested with lead levels above the action level (15ppb) were removed from service unless an outlet is a sink faucet needed for handwashing.  In that case, a sign was posted at the outlet indicating that the sink was not to be used for drinking.  BOCES will complete necessary repairs per NYSDOH guidance, and the four (4) outlets will be retested.  Outlets that tested below the action level remain in service with no restrictions. 

What are the health effects of lead?

Lead is a metal that can harm children and adults when it gets into their bodies.  Lead is a known neurotoxin, particularly harmful to children under six years old's developing brain and nervous system.  Lead can harm a young child’s growth, behavior, and ability to learn.  Lead exposure during pregnancy may contribute to low birth weight and developmental delays in infants. There are many sources of lead exposure in the environment, and it is important to reduce all lead exposures as much as possible.  Water testing helps identify and correct possible sources of lead that contribute to exposure from drinking water.

What are other sources of lead exposure?

Lead is a metal that has been used for centuries for many purposes, resulting in the widespread distribution in the environment.  Major sources of lead exposure include lead-based paint in older housing and lead that built up over decades in soil and dust due to historical use of lead in gasoline, paint, and manufacturing.  Lead can also be found in a number of consumer products, including certain types of pottery, pewter, brass fixtures, foods, plumbing materials, and cosmetics.  Lead seldom occurs naturally in water supplies, but drinking water could become a possible source of lead exposure if the building’s plumbing contains lead.  The primary source of lead exposure for most children with elevated blood lead levels is lead-based paint.

Should your child be tested for lead?

The risk to an individual child from past exposure to elevated lead in drinking water depends on many factors, including but not limited to a child’s age, weight, amount of water consumed, and the amount of lead in the water.  Children may also be exposed to other significant sources of lead, including paint, soil, and dust.  Since blood lead testing is the only way to determine a child’s blood lead level, parents should discuss their child’s health history with their child’s physician to determine if blood lead testing is appropriate.  Pregnant women or women of childbearing age should also consider discussing this matter with their physician. 

Additional Resources

For more information regarding the testing program or sampling results, contact the Sullivan BOCES Assistant Health & Safety Coordinator Mr. Gary Bowers at 845-295-4110, or go to our school website scboces.org

For information about lead in school drinking water, go to:
https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/
lead/lead_testing_of_school_drinking_water.htm

http://p12.nysed.gov/facplan/
LeadTestinginSchoolDrinkingWater.html

For more information about NYS DOH Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, go to:

https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/lead/

For more information on blood lead testing and ways to reduce your child’s risk of exposure to lead, see “What Your Child’s Blood Lead Test Means”:

https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2526.pdf

Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year

 Dear Parents & Guardians,

We are excited to welcome your child back to Sullivan BOCES and a new school year. The opening day for students is Wednesday, September 8, 2021. Students will return to school five days per week, pending any unforeseen circumstances.

Open House for the Alternative Education and Special Education Divisions will be on September 22, 2021; from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, information on the open house and how to schedule an appointment with your child’s teacher will be provided at a later date.

Remote Instruction will only be available to students with documented medical concerns. If your child cannot return to school in person, please submit a note from their doctor to our school nurse listing their medical concerns before the start of the school year. All remote students will be held accountable for academic expectations, course work, and assignments. The school nurse can be reached via email at nurse@scboces.org, by fax at 845-292-0631, or by phone at 845-295-4114. 

The health and safety of your child and our staff is of the utmost importance. Therefore, Sullivan BOCES will be following the recommendations of the CDC and Sullivan County Public Health regarding the use of masks and social distancing.  Students and staff will be required to wear masks throughout the day and practice appropriate social distancing. Visitation to our buildings will be limited. If you need to come into a BOCES building, please schedule an appointment. Students will be offered breaks where they can remove their face coverings while maintaining social distance. Students who cannot tolerate face coverings due to medical reasons will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

All students will have their temperature taken upon arrival at school. If their temperature is below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, they will be permitted to enter the building. If their temperature is 100 degrees or above, they will be sent home. Please do not send your child to school if they are not feeling well. If your child has a fever or is showing any signs of illness, you will need to obtain either a negative COVID test or a doctor’s note saying that they can return to school. Your child must be fever-free for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medicine, before they can return to school.

As you plan for the new school year, we ask that you stay flexible and remain in contact with us and your home school to ensure you are aware of any changes. Please make sure we have your current phone, cellphone, and email address. Having correct contact information allows us to communicate information and upcoming events quickly.

Attached with this letter is a packet of important information that we would like you to review, complete, and return to us by September 15. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s principal at (845) 295-4100.

2021-22 Sullivan BOCES Thinking Forward: Opening & Contingency Planning Document

Guidance Documents:

• NYS DOH - Interim Guidance for Classroom Instruction in K-12 Schools      9-2-21
• NYS DOH - Testing Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools 9-2-21
• NYS DOH - Indoor Mask Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools
  8-27-21
• NYSED - Health and Safety Guide for the 2021-2022 School Year
• SC Public Health - COVID Update to Schools 8-2-21
• SC Public Health - SC Public Health Concurs with CDC 8-12-21
• SC Public Health - Measures of Success from School Year Fall 2020 - Spring 2021 - 8-12-21
• Sullivan BOCES Thinking Forward: Opening & Contingency Planning for the 2021-2022 school year

Resources:

• NYSED - Health and Safety Guide for the 2021-2022 School Year
• SC Public Health - CDC Update on the COVID-19 Pandemic and Delta Variant
• SC Public Health - Back to School Face Mask Reminder
• SC Public Health - Sullivan County COVID-19 Vaccine Locations 8-12-21
• SC Public Health - COVID-19 Vaccine - What is the difference between an additional third dose and a booster dose? 

Links:

• NYSED - Issues Health & Safety Guidance to Open Schools
• CDC - Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - COVID-19 Guidance for Safe Schools

The White Sulphur Springs School & G Mod Building
will hold a Virtual Open House for Parents

Wednesday, Sept 22nd
5:30 PM -6:30 PM

Parents will be emailed the Google Meet Information.