The special committee investigating air quality issues at Westport’s King’s Highway Elementary School was told today that teachers regularly opening classroom windows has markedly reduced health complaints.
Teachers regularly opening windows at Westport’s King’s Highway Elementary school has reduced health complaints. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Sue Jacozzi, director of the Westport Weston Health District, said calls to her office have reported fewer health issues since teachers received instruction last Wednesday on when and how to open windows to improve air circulation.
“They reported that they were opening the windows and they were feeling better so that seems to be an improvement which is good,” she said.
Gerald Kuroghlian, who has been following air quality issues for the teachers union, praised the presentation to the KHS teachers by consultant Gil Cormier and said it had helped relieve their anxieties.
“I thought Gil did an excellent job in presenting to the staff, and I sent him an e-mail asking for followup,” the veteran Staples High School teacher said.
“It greatly relieved their anxiety. I thought it was one of the best presentations that I have heard. I would hope we could indicate to the staff what measures are being done as a followup to that.
“I think it will just keep people calm and reassured that this is being quickly remediated.”
Jacozzi summarized health complaints from KHS parents and teachers since school opened last month and said she is concentrating attention on two rooms—the act/art room and room 33—where there appear to be continuing problems.
The Board of Education will meet in a special session Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. at Staples High School to discuss, among other things, a funding request related to air quality problems at the town’s schools.
The board, in a meeting that ended at about 2:30 a.m. today, held a lengthy discussion among themselves and parents on air quality issues.
Gavin Anderson, chair of the special committee, said committee members will meet with KHS parents at the school on Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m. to update them on the committee’s work and recommendations.
Where is the outrage? There have been many more posts concerned about the future health problems associated with playing on the turf fields than on this topic, where the health problems are real and current.
Instead there is high praise for “Open the windows.”
I’m very confused, again.