(Update Nov. 20) Thanks to everyone for signing the petition and making proactive calls to; the Councillor's office, Toronto Public Health, the TDSB and news outlets. I'm sure these efforts have made a difference in the push for proper management of health and safety at the school.
The school is now promising ongoing air quality tests from both the TDSB’s Facilities and Health and Safety teams and Toronto Public Health so the goals of this petition have essentially (and to date) been met.
(Update Nov. 19, noon) The roofing operation is temporarily postponed due to the anticipation of rain. As far as I've heard the work will resume as soon as possible and during school hours.
(Update Nov. 17, midnight) CBC News aired a story on the situation. Story starts at 10:55 into the broadcast.
(Update Nov. 17, 10 pm) The Vice Principal's email states that the asphalting will likely resume on Thursday. Shuffling the kids throughout the school doesn't seem like an acceptable solution. Please keep spreading the word about this petition. The comment section has many powerful notes, thanks. Other news outlets are interested in picking up this story.
(Update Nov. 17, 2 pm) Josh Matlow's office called to say the work site is now shut down until Thursday, pending a Toronto Public Health Dep't investigation. Please still consider signing the petition in case they try to resume work on Thursday.
(Update Nov. 17, 12 pm) Some parents are calling Councillor Josh Matlow's office with their concerns. Our hope is to get some action by the end of the day. Call to 416-392-7906.
(Update Nov. 17) Some parents are calling Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 for faster action than this petition. Please consider calling them.
(Update Nov. 17) The secretary at the school said that many parents are calling in but as yet the Principal (away sick) and the Vice Principal have not yet communicated anything about the issue.
(Update Jan.16). The roof is being coated with asphalt not tar as I originally stated. I've edited the references and links to be relevant to asphalt, which in my limited knowledge appears to be as dangerous as tar)
--------------------
There are many concerned parents and teachers about the air safety during the roof asphalting currently in operation during school hours at Deer Park Public School. Parents are experiencing health issues/concerns about their children's safety.
A teacher at the school has notified parents that Air Quality Inspectors visited the school on Nov. 15 and deemed some classrooms unsafe. This teacher also communicated that they were personally experiencing an irritated throat, headaches and fatigue. This teacher also forwarded support for parents who wish to keep their children at home.
I was told by my child that a child fainted and was taken by ambulance to emergency over a week ago. This may have been from the asphalt fumes.
Please sign this petition if you would like to request communication from the school regarding;
- a confirmation that the air quality is deemed safe in all rooms of the school as well as outdoors during all school hours.
- frequent progress reports on actions taken to solve the problem as well as air quality inspection reports
- a reason why the asphalt operation cannot be rescheduled to non-school hours (like evenings, weekends and holidays).
We are forwarding our concerns (and this petition) to D.P.P.S., The T.D.S.B. and City Councillor Josh Matlow.
*** Please forward this petition to other parents of Deer Park students.
------------------------------
Notes from the internet...
(link) From the US Dep't of Labor; "Health effects from exposure to asphalt fumes include headache, skin rash, sensitization, fatigue, reduced appetite, throat and eye irritation, cough, and skin cancer."
Updates
November 17, 2015
The school administration remains silent on our specific demands regarding the roofing schedule. Email the superintendent and your school trustee today to insist on better transparency for the parent community.
November 17, 2015
The momentum behind this petition is undeniable and has pushed our concerns to the top of the agenda. Take this link and post it on your Facebook wall right now. Email your local representative to demand they confirm their commitment to these air quality tests.
Reached 100 supporters
November 17, 2015
68 Comments
I believe this work should of been done during summer time or during non school hours. Twice I already had to keep my son home due to the smell. I love very close to school and I as well wake up to the smell in my unit.
Having been through a similar situation myself, the quality of air is so poor and difficult to breath. My son has asthma and has a difficult time breathing the last few days and has now developed a horrible cough as a result.
I am a very concerned grand parent of two children at Deer Park school. I have always presumed that the children's health and welfare would be placed ahead of the convenience of repairs to a building.
I am surprised and disappointed to hear the work continues even after inspectors have shown air quality is unsafe in some classrooms. How is that not enough to postpone the work to a time when children and staff won't be present?
We have already pulled our daughter out of school until the project is complete. Not risking our child's health and well being. This form of work should most definately be conducted during off hours not when children and staff are in class where fumes are most harmful.
....odaal...?
The school is now promising ongoing air quality tests from both the TDSB’s Facilities and Health and Safety teams and Toronto Public Health so the goals of this petition have essentially (and to date) been met.
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(Update Nov. 20) Thanks to everyone for signing the petition and making proactive calls to; the Councillor's office, Toronto Public Health, the TDSB and news outlets. I'm sure these efforts have made a difference in the push for proper management of health and safety at the school.
The school is now promising ongoing air quality tests from both the TDSB’s Facilities and Health and Safety teams and Toronto Public Health so the goals of this petition have essentially (and to date) been met.
(Update Nov. 19, noon) The roofing operation is temporarily postponed due to the anticipation of rain. As far as I've heard the work will resume as soon as possible and during school hours.
(Update Nov. 17, midnight) CBC News aired a story on the situation. Story starts at 10:55 into the broadcast.
(Update Nov. 17, 10 pm) The Vice Principal's email states that the asphalting will likely resume on Thursday. Shuffling the kids throughout the school doesn't seem like an acceptable solution. Please keep spreading the word about this petition. The comment section has many powerful notes, thanks. Other news outlets are interested in picking up this story.
(Update Nov. 17, 2 pm) Josh Matlow's office called to say the work site is now shut down until Thursday, pending a Toronto Public Health Dep't investigation. Please still consider signing the petition in case they try to resume work on Thursday.
(Update Nov. 17, 12 pm) Some parents are calling Councillor Josh Matlow's office with their concerns. Our hope is to get some action by the end of the day. Call to 416-392-7906.
(Update Nov. 17) Some parents are calling Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 for faster action than this petition. Please consider calling them.
(Update Nov. 17) The secretary at the school said that many parents are calling in but as yet the Principal (away sick) and the Vice Principal have not yet communicated anything about the issue.
(Update Jan.16). The roof is being coated with asphalt not tar as I originally stated. I've edited the references and links to be relevant to asphalt, which in my limited knowledge appears to be as dangerous as tar)
--------------------
There are many concerned parents and teachers about the air safety during the roof asphalting currently in operation during school hours at Deer Park Public School. Parents are experiencing health issues/concerns about their children's safety.
A teacher at the school has notified parents that Air Quality Inspectors visited the school on Nov. 15 and deemed some classrooms unsafe. This teacher also communicated that they were personally experiencing an irritated throat, headaches and fatigue. This teacher also forwarded support for parents who wish to keep their children at home.
I was told by my child that a child fainted and was taken by ambulance to emergency over a week ago. This may have been from the asphalt fumes.
Please sign this petition if you would like to request communication from the school regarding;
- a confirmation that the air quality is deemed safe in all rooms of the school as well as outdoors during all school hours.
- frequent progress reports on actions taken to solve the problem as well as air quality inspection reports
- a reason why the asphalt operation cannot be rescheduled to non-school hours (like evenings, weekends and holidays).
We are forwarding our concerns (and this petition) to D.P.P.S., The T.D.S.B. and City Councillor Josh Matlow.
*** Please forward this petition to other parents of Deer Park students.
------------------------------
Notes from the internet...
(link) From the US Dep't of Labor; "Health effects from exposure to asphalt fumes include headache, skin rash, sensitization, fatigue, reduced appetite, throat and eye irritation, cough, and skin cancer."
Updates
November 17, 2015
The school administration remains silent on our specific demands regarding the roofing schedule. Email the superintendent and your school trustee today to insist on better transparency for the parent community.
November 17, 2015
The momentum behind this petition is undeniable and has pushed our concerns to the top of the agenda. Take this link and post it on your Facebook wall right now. Email your local representative to demand they confirm their commitment to these air quality tests.
Reached 100 supporters
November 17, 2015
68 Comments
For clarification, I'm referring to unsafe outdoor air when the asphalting operation resumes on Thursday. The testing and recommended actions should not, in my opinion, only apply to the indoor air.
I believe this work should of been done during summer time or during non school hours. Twice I already had to keep my son home due to the smell. I love very close to school and I as well wake up to the smell in my unit.
Having been through a similar situation myself, the quality of air is so poor and difficult to breath. My son has asthma and has a difficult time breathing the last few days and has now developed a horrible cough as a result.
I am a very concerned grand parent of two children at Deer Park school. I have always presumed that the children's health and welfare would be placed ahead of the convenience of repairs to a building.
I am surprised and disappointed to hear the work continues even after inspectors have shown air quality is unsafe in some classrooms. How is that not enough to postpone the work to a time when children and staff won't be present?
We have already pulled our daughter out of school until the project is complete. Not risking our child's health and well being. This form of work should most definately be conducted during off hours not when children and staff are in class where fumes are most harmful.
....odaal...?
The school is now promising ongoing air quality tests from both the TDSB’s Facilities and Health and Safety teams and Toronto Public Health so the goals of this petition have essentially (and to date) been met.
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For clarification, I'm referring to unsafe outdoor air when the asphalting operation resumes on Thursday. The testing and recommended actions should not, in my opinion, only apply to the indoor air.