Parents are Buggin' Out in OV!

A representative of  Oswayo Valley Elementary School District confirmed this evening that there has been "two separate incidents" regarding "bugs" in our school. The representative was confronted by a parent concerned for their childrens health and well being.  When the representative was approached about cockroaches in the school, the representative responded: She believed that most of what was being said was "rumors", but there had "indeed been two separate incidents, one last Friday and the most recent being yesterday, Monday.  Our children have reported seeing the bugs in hallways, lockers, even the cafeteria.  It is "rumored" to be believed that one even crawled across the cafeteria table on three childrens lunch trays.  On Friday the children in fourth and fifth grades were instructed to clean out their lockers because the school would be spraying for the school's musty odor and the children were informed there was a bug problem at the school. Again today children were instructed to clean out lockers, but it was only students in grades 3-5.  I cannot begin to understand how cleaning out only some of the lockers will prevent the spread of this epidemic.  It has been reported by students and staff that cockroaches were seen crawling out from one of the student's boots when he removed them at his locker that day after recess.  When speaking to the representative, the concerned parent was asked "what would you like me to do, shut down the school?"  The only obvious answer here is ABSOLUTELY!!!  The school should be shut down until it is properly exterminated.  Above and beyond that, if the school is aware of where this problem is coming from, they should have the obligation to confront the source.  Cockroaches are no different than head lice.  When the representative was faced with this realization, she stated that they are different because head lice live on the being and cockroaches do not.  Cockroaches may not live on the being, but they do certainly travel back and forth on one's being such as bookbags, coats, hats, gloves, etc. which are stored in  the lockers.  The representative was asked why parents were not informed of the spraying that occured last Friday.  The representative stated that it was merely a "disinfectant" and it did not require notification to the parents.  However, according to the Pennsylvania State School Pesticide Law, 7-772.1, 'they must post notification signs to warn those in the school where and when pesticides have been or are being applied.   This is a vehicle for basic right to know if the posting occurs in an area where it is easliy seen by parents, students and staff.  It is important to post signs for indoor pesticide applications because of the extensive periods of time students and employees spend at school.  Pennsylvania law requires signs to be posted 72 hours prior to the application and remain for 48 hours.'  A pesticide is described as "(a) any substance or mixture of substance(s) such as but not limited to herbicides, insecticides and rodenticides intended to prevent, destroy, control, repel or mitigate any pest (such as but not limited to weeds, insects and rodents).  Who must comply with these notices and posting requirements for pesticide use?  All public schools grade K-12 and licensed day care centers.  The law does not include private schools or unlicences (home) day care or aqdult day care centers.  She stated that the Department of Health had been contacted and that they were working in an effort to resolve the problem.  She also stated that the school was unable to have a company such as Terminex come in to resolve the problem because of the extensive proceedures that would need to be followed in that event. I am not convinced that the school has taken the appropriate action here and parents have begun contacting the Department of Health on their own.  As a parent with children in this school district, something has to be done.  The school is a breeding ground for many things, cockroaches included.  We as a community should not be subjected to such threatful and harmful conditions.  How long do you think it would take for these "bugs" to get to your home?  Can you afford to terminate them appropriately or repeatedly?  I know my family cannot.  Our children should not go to school being afraid of the "FRIENDS" they may bring home with them.  They should be undistracted as they are there to better their education, not live in fear of the unknown.