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.
S
Shaun Chapman
· petition starter
10 years ago
(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.
L
Liz Wilson
10 years ago
I agree the smell was pretty bad, but for those calling for the work to be done during summer hours/March break, the two preschools operate during those time periods so that's a problem too. I don't know what contractors would work on weekends and evenings, but I'm sure it would be cost prohibitive. There needs to be some flexibility to get the job done.
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
I want to know, what "acceptable levels" they are referring to? Who can tell me how much poison is acceptable for my child to breathe in? Are the levels of exposure calculated per kg of weight? I don't think that OHSA standards are made for children, whose body mass is so much smaller than adults'. You just can't take the guide lines, created for adults' workplace safety, and apply to kids (who is not even supposed to be remotely close to any construction site, period). The acceptable exposure level should be "zero".
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
This will not be possible for everyone to do, but if anyone is able to keep their kids home during these unfortunate continued repairs, please do so. This act of keeping kids home will hopefully send a message to the school, either to discontinue the repairs this time or for any future repairs that may impact our childrens, and school staff health.
O
Ovidiu Cilnician
10 years ago
After reading the letter sent by Chris Gorczynski, Vice-Principal, Deer Park PS, there are more questions than answers.
1. "... samples showed that most of the school was well within acceptable limits".
What does this mean? That it is ok for our kids to breath this air as long as it is in acceptable limits???
2. "The large “active” kettle will be moved ... near the gym. ... As a precaution, no students or staff will be permitted in that area of the school during work"
What does this mean? That there will be no more gym for our kids? Why?
3. "We will be redoubling efforts to keep windows and doors closed"
What happens during recess? Are the students allowed to go outside?
4. What exactly is TDSB’s Facilities and Health and Safety team doing to "ensure the safety of our students and staff at all times"? How?
5. Why our kids have to go through this? Who makes this decision?
M
Maria
10 years ago
What wrong reasons, one might ask ?
R
Randy Diplock
10 years ago
There are a few other things that need to be addressed. I was in a parents' meeting where the contractor was telling us they've done umpteen of these jobs over the years with no ill effects. Where is he in all this? And secondly, again, when the dust settles and the tar is hardened, someone at TDSB has to have a long, hard and serious look at the alleged leadership at this school.
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
Two issues spring to mind when reading about and/or experiencing this environment.
1. What exactly is the compound being measured? Fumes are not compounds. They are the result of the burning of a compound. So when air quality experts are measuring "air quality" and 4 classrooms go over the limit, what exactly is over the limit? There are 2 carcinogenic compounds found in "tar." Are these part of the air quality tests?
2. Besides the safety and health of students and adults, what are the purposes of our schools? Are they not to educate? or are they to babysit? How exactly, can the teachers do their jobs when large industrial fans are running in the building, hammering, sawing, tarring, etc. are taking place?
The decisions made by those who have allowed this to take place are clearly ones who believe that schools are for babysitting.
M
Maria
10 years ago
As of today, halting the work until Thursday is simply not enough.
This work should be done on weekends, and after hours, if that is not possible, then the children should not attend school, until the work is completely finished, and the air quality is being tested for its safety.
Our children's safety comes first.
My child is on the third floor, and has been complaining of the smell, the dust making her nose dry, and painful.
This should never happen in any school.
My question is this :
To this day, no one came forward with an reasonable explanation, as to why the parents are not being notified of the roof repairs and the safety concerns.
B
Bruce Maynard
10 years ago
I think they should stop the roofing because I want to go back to school.
S
Shaun Chapman
· petition starter
10 years ago
CBC News aired a story on the situation. Story starts at 10:55 into the broadcast. http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2679107698
S
Shaun Chapman
· petition starter
10 years ago
Featured
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.
S
Shaun Chapman
· petition starter
10 years ago
Thanks for the clarification Vanessa. I didn't receive a school communication until this afternoon. They stopped worked so a report of acceptable levels makes sense. I'm still concerned about the planned resumption of work on Thursday.
A
Alina Mustata
10 years ago
I am extremely concerned about my son's exposure to asphalt fumes and the health implications for all the children and staff at Deer Park. It is unacceptable and irresponsible for TBSB to continue the roof work during the school days. I strongly believe that the work should be immediately stoped and rescheduled and completed during the winter holidays or March Break!
V
Vanessa Maynard
10 years ago
Shawn, I believe the report about four rooms is from yesterday. Apparently there was a paper based letter from the VP today. It says every area of the school was reported under acceptable levels today. I have yet to read the letter myself, I am getting this update from my son's teacher (sent tonight).
S
Shaun Chapman
· petition starter
10 years ago
From the VP's email today, "most of the school was well within acceptable limits. However, four rooms had elevated readings above what we consider to be acceptable." Am I right to assume that this means that the outside air is not acceptable? So how then do the kids, parents and school staff enter the school, go to recess or exit the school without toxic exposure?
S
Shaun Chapman
· petition starter
10 years ago
My child told me that another kid "was stretchered out". Does anyone know of this second incident?
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
Congratulations, you made the news. For all the wrong reasons. Film at 11, as they say. (CBC)
....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.
(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.
I agree the smell was pretty bad, but for those calling for the work to be done during summer hours/March break, the two preschools operate during those time periods so that's a problem too. I don't know what contractors would work on weekends and evenings, but I'm sure it would be cost prohibitive. There needs to be some flexibility to get the job done.
I want to know, what "acceptable levels" they are referring to? Who can tell me how much poison is acceptable for my child to breathe in? Are the levels of exposure calculated per kg of weight? I don't think that OHSA standards are made for children, whose body mass is so much smaller than adults'. You just can't take the guide lines, created for adults' workplace safety, and apply to kids (who is not even supposed to be remotely close to any construction site, period). The acceptable exposure level should be "zero".
This will not be possible for everyone to do, but if anyone is able to keep their kids home during these unfortunate continued repairs, please do so. This act of keeping kids home will hopefully send a message to the school, either to discontinue the repairs this time or for any future repairs that may impact our childrens, and school staff health.
After reading the letter sent by Chris Gorczynski, Vice-Principal, Deer Park PS, there are more questions than answers. 1. "... samples showed that most of the school was well within acceptable limits". What does this mean? That it is ok for our kids to breath this air as long as it is in acceptable limits??? 2. "The large “active” kettle will be moved ... near the gym. ... As a precaution, no students or staff will be permitted in that area of the school during work" What does this mean? That there will be no more gym for our kids? Why? 3. "We will be redoubling efforts to keep windows and doors closed" What happens during recess? Are the students allowed to go outside? 4. What exactly is TDSB’s Facilities and Health and Safety team doing to "ensure the safety of our students and staff at all times"? How? 5. Why our kids have to go through this? Who makes this decision?
What wrong reasons, one might ask ?
There are a few other things that need to be addressed. I was in a parents' meeting where the contractor was telling us they've done umpteen of these jobs over the years with no ill effects. Where is he in all this? And secondly, again, when the dust settles and the tar is hardened, someone at TDSB has to have a long, hard and serious look at the alleged leadership at this school.
Two issues spring to mind when reading about and/or experiencing this environment. 1. What exactly is the compound being measured? Fumes are not compounds. They are the result of the burning of a compound. So when air quality experts are measuring "air quality" and 4 classrooms go over the limit, what exactly is over the limit? There are 2 carcinogenic compounds found in "tar." Are these part of the air quality tests? 2. Besides the safety and health of students and adults, what are the purposes of our schools? Are they not to educate? or are they to babysit? How exactly, can the teachers do their jobs when large industrial fans are running in the building, hammering, sawing, tarring, etc. are taking place? The decisions made by those who have allowed this to take place are clearly ones who believe that schools are for babysitting.
As of today, halting the work until Thursday is simply not enough. This work should be done on weekends, and after hours, if that is not possible, then the children should not attend school, until the work is completely finished, and the air quality is being tested for its safety. Our children's safety comes first. My child is on the third floor, and has been complaining of the smell, the dust making her nose dry, and painful. This should never happen in any school. My question is this : To this day, no one came forward with an reasonable explanation, as to why the parents are not being notified of the roof repairs and the safety concerns.
I think they should stop the roofing because I want to go back to school.
CBC News aired a story on the situation. Story starts at 10:55 into the broadcast. http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2679107698
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.
Thanks for the clarification Vanessa. I didn't receive a school communication until this afternoon. They stopped worked so a report of acceptable levels makes sense. I'm still concerned about the planned resumption of work on Thursday.
I am extremely concerned about my son's exposure to asphalt fumes and the health implications for all the children and staff at Deer Park. It is unacceptable and irresponsible for TBSB to continue the roof work during the school days. I strongly believe that the work should be immediately stoped and rescheduled and completed during the winter holidays or March Break!
Shawn, I believe the report about four rooms is from yesterday. Apparently there was a paper based letter from the VP today. It says every area of the school was reported under acceptable levels today. I have yet to read the letter myself, I am getting this update from my son's teacher (sent tonight).
From the VP's email today, "most of the school was well within acceptable limits. However, four rooms had elevated readings above what we consider to be acceptable." Am I right to assume that this means that the outside air is not acceptable? So how then do the kids, parents and school staff enter the school, go to recess or exit the school without toxic exposure?
My child told me that another kid "was stretchered out". Does anyone know of this second incident?
Congratulations, you made the news. For all the wrong reasons. Film at 11, as they say. (CBC)