ACT NOW: Healthy Schools for Jersey City Children

JC Board of Education's resolution endorses partnership with PCUE to improve environmental safety

2009-04-23T17:57:00.000-07:00

Please click on the link to enlage and read the resolution.

PCUE AND UMDNJ APPLY FOR FEDERAL GRANT TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY IN JC PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2009-04-11T12:11:00.000-07:00

PCUE AND UMDNJ APPLY FOR FEDERAL GRANT TO IMPROVE

ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY IN JC PUBLIC SCHOOLS

In follow up with our healthy school campaign, an application was submitted to the federal government (National Institute of Health) for funds for a collaborative project between SEOC-PCUE and UMDNJ (University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ) School of Public Health/Safe Schools Program. The centerpiece of the this project is community involvement in improving health and environmental safety of the our schools.

This funding would support a four-year project that consist of three main components:

Data Gathering: Collecting data on the health-related school environment that we don't already have clear information on
Education: Based on data collected, educating staff, parents, and students about the importance and results of this investigation
Using what we learn and find: Making recommendations and, if necessary, mounting political pressure, to get the school district to fix potential health hazards

The data collection piece will have two main parts:

We will use the newly-adopted health-and-safety school report-card proposed by PCUE. UMDNJ-Safe Schools would train parents, community members school staff who volunteer to conduct walkthrough in the schools in teams using the report-card.
We would use the UMDNJ-Safe Schools scientific expertise and equipment to test dust (how much is there and what materials are in it), ventilation, temperature, and humidity. They would also train us to be able to help with this data collection too. The research would be done in a scientifically random sample of 12 elementary schools, three middle schools, and three senior high schools.

Support from School District

The success of this project partly depends on school district involvement and cooperation. With assistance from Suzanne Mack, PCUE-SEOC and Dr. Derek Shendell from UMDNJ held a meeting with a few board members, Dr. Epps, and several of his staff. This meeting was followed by a few emails and telephone conversations. At first, there was concern about parent/community involvement in school walkthrough and data collection and possible public implications for the school district. In our communications, we were able to succinctly address the reservations and concerns expressed by the school district about the project. As a result, Dr Epps agreed to write a letter of support and committed to collaborate with this project.

Jersey City Education Association Supports PCUE-UMDNJ Project

PCUE-SEOC also met with Thomas Favia, President of teacher's local union (Jersey City Education Association) to discuss the proposal and seek their support and collaboration. A second meeting took place with Roy Tamargo who heads the Health and Safety Committee of the union. He was extremely complimentary of PCUE's efforts and achievements and recommended to his union's executive board that they provide a letter of support. The union President did write a letter of support and pledged to collaborate with the project.

A third letter of support which was the easiest part was a letter from our President, LueElla McFadden!

This collaborative effort between PCUE-SEOC and the UMDNJ with support and commitment from the school district and teacher's union has been only possible because of PCUE's year-long campaign to improve health and environmental safety in JC public schools, legitimacy of our demands, outreach to the community and interested parties, and our track record to obtain tangible improvement in the schools, and support from the public.

Thanks to everyone that made the successful completion of this application possible.

Next Step: If our application is approved, our work would begin with a year of planning to start in the fall 2009. This planning we envision would be a collaborative effort among PCUE, UMDNJ, JC school district, and teacher's union.

Facility Committee of the BOE Reviews PCUE Healthy School Proposals and Develops a Framework for Progress

2009-04-11T12:04:00.000-07:00

To Superintendent Epps and all Members of the Board of Education:

The Executive board of Parents and Communities United for Education would like to thank you for the Facility Meeting held on the 28th of January. It was the first time that we felt welcomed to any of the meetings that we've attended thus far.

We were very pleased about the outcome of the meeting. The open dialogue used for this meeting was especially appreciated and we all learned something from each other.

As you may know, we have been meeting with members of the board and we would like to continue doing this. Parents and Communities United for Education is a strong, dedicated and knowledgeable group of parents and community members to make our schools, safe, clean, and improve our academics. This is going to take a lot of work on both our sides. We won't agree all the time of course, but we also don't have to be at war.

Below you'll find our understanding of the discussion that occurred at the Facility Committee Meeting last Thursday, January 28th. We think this is a great FRAMEWORK for progress.

The Walk through would start immediately for all forty schools.
The State checklist and the proposed PCUE checklist will be one form.
We were told that there was no reason that the walk through couldn't be done twice a year. Although there was no definitive commitment.
There was openness to parent involvement in the walkthrough, including having a parent representative from each school, forming a Parent Advisory Committee, and also PCUE participation.
There will be follow-up meetings.
Parent notification was not discussed, but we understand that it will be part of the framework.

Again thank you.

LueElla McFadden, President
Parents and Communities Unite

2007 QSAC Report : JC School District Fails to Complete Annual Health and Safety Checklist for Each School

2009-04-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

To see the report click on the image above:

NJ Quality Single Accountability Continuum (QSAC), under Operation and Management regulations, requires that JC Board of Education conduct an annual evaluation for each school building using health and safety using a checklist. The report shows that JC school district is not complying with the state regulations regarding school facilities.

Board of Education Adopts PCUE Healthy School Report Card

2009-04-11T09:42:00.000-07:00

Click on the images above to enlarge and read the report card:

Health and Safety Report Card

Beginning in October, 2008, PCUE focused its efforts around the collaborative development of a health-and-safety report card that could be used on a semi-annual basis, with the help of parents, to identify elements in the physical school environment that could negatively impact student health. With assistance from the NJ Work Environmental Council, an initial check list for a report-card was circulated by SEOC-PCUE among the members of the Jersey City Board of Education. At the urging of PCUE parents, the President of the Jersey City Board of Education, Mr. William DeRosa, who had taken an interest in the issue, drafted a sample report card to be reviewed by PCUE. Leaders of PCUE revised the report card and refined it with the help of the UMDNJ-SPH and the NJ Safe Schools Program (Dr. Shendell); the process involved three drafts between November, 2008 and January, 2009. The health-and-safety report card developed through this collaboration, which can be used as a self-administered walk-through survey by one person or a team of people in classrooms and other buildings on campus, was adopted by the Facility Committee of the Jersey City Board of Education on January 25, 2009. SEOC-PCUE's crucial role in this process revolved around generating the community interest and political will necessary to make this a priority issue for the school board, and receiving science and engineering based input from UMDNJ-SPH.

Press Advisory: We want school health and safety report card

2008-12-17T12:37:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2002

Parents Assemble at Board of Education Meeting

6p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008

The city’s grassroots public school reform organization, Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE), will call on Jersey City Schools District Superintendent Charles T. Epps and the Jersey City Board of Education to adopt and implement PCUE’s proposal for a semi-annual health and safety report card, previously submitted. The advanced age of the city’s public school buildings – most are several decades old and some are over hundred years old -- calls for urgent attention to creating a healthy and safe school environment. A healthy school not only contributes to the comfort, health, and well-being of students but also allows students to perform better academically.

What: Parents assemble with signs in their hands to bring public attention to the need for school walkthrough and health and safety report card. Parent leaders will address the board and the public present at the meeting.

When: Thursday, Dec, 18, 2008 at 6pm

Where: School # 11, PS Martin Luther king, Jr.

886 Bergen Avenue, Jersey City 07306

Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE) is the Jersey City chapter of the Statewide Education Organizing Committee (SEOC). PCUE is a grassroots and direct action organization working to improve Jersey City public schools. Since March of this year, PCUE has launched a campaign for healthy schools. Thanks to the effort of hundreds of parents and the community at large, school officials tested all our schools for lead in the drinking water, notified parents and the community of the testing schedule and test results, and provided water coolers to all schools until the lead remediation takes place.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Luella McFadden, PCUE President: 201-918-2918

Loyda Goldston, First Vice-president: 973-204-4121

At the Board of Education meeting, parents demand health and safety report card.

2008-11-24T19:59:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, Nov. 20, more than 30 parents and a dozen children assembled at the Board of Education meeting to tell Charles Epps, Jersey City School District Superintendent, and members of the Board of Education that parents have a right to know the health conditions of the schools their children go to. At the meeting, parents told the Board to adopt PCUE proposal for health and safety report card for each school in Jersey City.

Below you can read PCUE statement at the meeting. The pictures from the PCUE action can be viewed in the next two blogs.

******************************************

Dr. Epps, Members of the Board, Parents, and Visitors

Hello,

My name is LueElla McFadden. I am President of the Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE). I am also a great grandmother of a child in School # 38.

Dr. Epps, we received your letter yesterday (hand delivered to our office) regarding the lead remediation. We are glad that the facility department has been taking care of the lead problem and a second set of testing is planned to take place. Dr. Epps, we thank you and all board members and also all our hard working maintenance and custodial workers who do their best to keep our schools in good conditions.

One thing we would like to see happen is that we want PCUE to be notified of the progress being made in regard to the water situation. But the most important thing here is to have parents be notified through internal flyers sent home by school students and it should be done in a timely manner. This is a must. We would like you to ensure that all principals in the district have these flyers go out with the students, and we will, of course, notify all our parents that we are in contact with on a daily/weekly basis.

We would like to extend a special thanks to Mr. DeRosa, Ms. Sue Mack, Mr. Dehere and Mr. McCann who met with us to talk about our proposal regarding a Health and Safety Report Card for each school. Why is the report card important? It is important because it will ensure that the parents and students are notified and aware of the conditions of each school and to bridge the communication gap between our parents and the School District.

Our goal is to have the report card put into policy to ensure that all Jersey City schools are safe and healthy for our students. A mere adoption is not enough. We want it to be a policy so that there is accountability and that it can be enforced. We understand that there is a process involved in bringing such an idea to fruition and that it is a collaborative effort, but we need you to realize the importance of the policy to the parents.

We need you and all board members to know how important it is that parents are and must be involved in the school walk-through. We also want to make sure that this report card is issued semi-annually.

The creation of this report card is very important to all concerned. It will bring the kind of healthy and safe environment that is urgently needed in our public school system today.

Thank you and we are looking forward to working with you to make our schools a better place for all our children.

More Pix: Healthy Schools, YES, WE CAN

2008-11-23T21:04:00.000-08:00

Pix: PCUE Demands Health and Safety Report Card

2008-11-23T21:01:00.000-08:00

Letter from Epps to PCUE regarding lead remediation plan

2008-11-23T20:48:00.000-08:00

Page 1

Page 2

Please click on the images to read the letter.

PCUE Letter to Dr. Epps: Fix high level of lead in our schools’ drinking water sources

2008-11-21T12:05:00.001-08:00

Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE)
Jersey City Chapter of the Statewide Education Organizing Committee (SEOC)
169-A Martin Luther King Drive, Jersey City NJ 07305
201-918-2918 --- pcue.info@seocnj.org

Nov. 10, 2008

Dr. Charles Epps, School District Superintendent
Jersey City Board of Education
346 Claremont Ave.
Jersey City, NJ 07305

Dear Dr. Epps,

As we write this letter to you, PCUE has not yet received the lead remediation plan/timeline. You told us, in your letter dated Oct. 8, that it would be available to us by the week of Oct. 20th. The plan was originally supposed to be ready by Oct. 3 as was stated to the Jersey Journal by your spokesperson Mr. Roger Jones. We are very disappointed that our school district has been dragging its feet to deal with the lead problem in drinking water in a decisive manner.

More than two years ago in September 2006, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warned you about the high level of lead in drinking water in our schools. For 18 months, your administration not only failed to do anything about it, but also did not share that information with parents of children in our schools and the community until it became national news in January 2008.

Under public pressure, your administration finally began testing of water sources in all schools in May, 2008 and completed the process in July. In your letter to the parents, you stated that according to EPA guidelines a remediation plan could only be developed when all the testing is done and test results were available for all schools. This was inaccurate information to the public which you attributed to EPA. We learned about this information from a letter that was sent to you by Ms. Dore LaPosta, Director of Division of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance, EPA Region II.

As stated by Ms. LaPosta, there was no need to wait to have the test results for all the schools. Your administration could have begun correcting lead problem as test results were available for each school. This would mean that the district could have remediated the lead problem before the start of this school year.

EPA guidelines require a short-term and a long term plan to rectify the lead problem. We are glad to see that as a short-term solution, the district is currently providing safe drinking water to children in our schools. However, safe drinking water availability is a continuous problem in many schools. Parents from various schools complain that water coolers provided by the school district either run out of water or cups are not available. In other occasions, water is not readily accessible to children. Some parents even complain that their schools do not even provide drinking water for children unless in case of emergency when children forget to bring water from home. On Thursday, Nov. 6 we called and conveyed this to Mr. Crisonino.

We understand that providing safe drinking water to 30,000 students in 40 schools, under current condition when drinking water fountains are shut off, is not an easy job. However, we are asking that the school district make all the effort to have safe drinking water available for our children at all times. No child in our schools should go without safe drinking water and no parent should be forced to provide water to their children to take to school. It is the responsibility of schools to have safe drinking water for our children while they are in schools.

Also, we urge you to share with parents and the community how and when you plan to permanently fix the lead problem in drinking water. Under EPA guideline, you are advised to share that information with the public. Furthermore, you made a commitment to parents that you would notify them of the lead remediation plan/timeline.

As parents of children, we have a right to know how and when the district will be correcting this long over due lead problem that exist in our schools. We are concerned about our children’s health, well-being, and comfort in schools. We are concerned that the school district is not motivated enough to act decisively to deal with the lead problem and even worse is keeping us in the dark.

Dr. Epps, we urge you to address our concerns. It is time for action, not more promises. You may reach us at 201-918-2918.

Sincerely,

LueElla McFadden, President
Parents and Communities United for Education

Cc: Members of the Board of Education

Jersey Journal: School cafeteria can't reopen yet

2008-10-30T17:51:00.000-07:00

School cafeteria can't reopen yet

Friday, October 24, 2008

By KEN THORBOURNE

JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

The cafeteria at School 25 in the Jersey City Heights section flunked an inspection by city health officials yesterday morning when they found fresh mouse droppings, city and school officials said.

The cafeteria, which serves 723 kindergarten through fifth-graders, was shut Tuesday.

Inspectors yesterday found mouse droppings in the kitchen and dining area and it appears the exterminator called in by school officials treated the area for a cockroach problem instead of mice infestation, said city spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill.

School officials were told they need to put down glue traps and seal openings around entry doors so mice can't enter the building, Morrill said.

"We are not looking to fine them (the Board of Education)," Morrill added. "We are looking to insure that the cafeteria is safe and that no one gets sick from any diseases that could possibly spread from mice activity."

An employee at the Kennedy Boulevard school, who didn't want to be identified, said the mice problem is nothing new and has spread to classrooms.

"And now that food is being eaten in the classrooms it is going to get worse," the worker said.

Custodians were scheduled to work though the night if necessary to rectify the problem, said Board of Education spokesman Gerard Crisonino.

Students at the school ate breakfast and lunch in their classrooms, which would be cleaned thoroughly at the end of the day, Crisonino said.

The school had cold lunches brought in, he said. Normally, the school doesn't prepare hot meals, but heats food already prepared in the kitchen, he said.

In the meantime, some 300 students and their teachers at the School 23 Annex on Duncan Avenue went without heat Wednesday afternoon and half of yesterday due to a broken valve on the school's furnace, Crisonino said. The boiler was fixed yesterday about 1 p.m., he said.

School 25 cafeteria is shut; mouse dropping cited

2008-10-30T17:47:00.000-07:00

School 25 cafeteria is shut; mouse

droppings cited

Thursday, October 23, 2008

By TOM SHORTELL

JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Jersey City health inspectors closed the cafeteria of School 25 in the Heights on Tuesday after receiving a tip about mouse problems on the building's ground floor.

Inspectors found mice droppings in the ground floor cafeteria and the basement of the Kennedy Boulevard school, said Jennifer Morrill, the mayor's spokeswoman.

Inspectors closed the cafeteria after lunch on Tuesday and it will remain closed until it can pass inspection, officials said. In the meantime, cafeteria workers cannot heat food for the school's 723 kindergarten through fifth grade students, officials said.

Meals at School 25 are cooked elsewhere, but heated and served in the cafeteria, said Jersey City Public Schools spokesman Gerard Crisonino. The school has called in exterminators and needs to board up any access points mice could have to the building, Morrill said.

Crisonino said the Board of Education hopes the cafeteria can be reopened today, when health inspectors are expected to re-examine the building.

The violations aren't as severe as inspectors made them out to be, he added. "The health violations were not that egregious. However, we don't want any of our facilities to not be the best environment for students," he said.

Students ate breakfast in their classrooms yesterday, and no lunch was scheduled since it was a half day, he said.

Most students at the school get lunches for free or at reduced prices through a federal food program, he added.

Letter from Epps to PCUE regarding lead remediation plan

2008-10-30T17:32:00.000-07:00

Charles Epps, JC School District Superintendent, promises to have the lead remediation plan available by the of week of Oct. 20.

To read the letter please click on the image above.

PCUE Asks Dr. Epps for Lead Remediation Plan

2008-10-06T09:35:00.000-07:00

Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE)

Jersey City chapter of Statewide Education Organizing Committee (SEOC)

169-A Martin Luther King Drive

Jersey City, NJ 07305

Office: 201-9182918 -- Email:pcue.info@seocnj.org

September 30, 2008

Dear Dr. Epps,

We are writing you today to first and foremost thank you for responding to our concerns and your work in ensuring that our public schools were tested for lead and also for your efforts in providing our children with water coolers in the schools.

On Sept.3, 2008, Mr. Roger Jones, your spokesperson, told the Jersey Journal that a remediation plan to permanently correct lead problem in drinking water would be ready within 30 days. The 30-day mark, (Oct. 3^rd) is fast approaching, and we are anxiously awaiting this plan/timeline. We, as the concerned parents of children in your district are requesting that a copy that of this remediation plan/timeline be sent to our office by Oct. 8^th when our members meet to review it. Your cooperation in this matter is much appreciated.

Sincerely

Louella McFadden, President of P.C.U.E.

CC:

All School Board Members

Jersey Journal: Parents group to rally at board of ed over water quality

2008-09-04T09:31:00.000-07:00

Parents group to rally at board of education over water quality

by The Jersey Journal
Wednesday September 03, 2008, 10:31 AM

A parents group plans to hold a rally today in front of the Jersey City Board of Education to ask for changes in district policy in the wake of tests showing lead in some school water sources.

The rally, by the group Parents and Communities United for Education, will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in front of 346 Claremont Ave.

The group is asking the board to create a health and environmental safety committee that includes three parents, an "indoor air quality walk through team" including three parents and issue semi-annual health and safety report cards for each school.

Read the comments on line:

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2008/09/parents_group_to_rally_at_boar.html

Jersey Journal: Sullied water sparks rally

2008-09-04T07:09:00.000-07:00

Sullied school water sparks rally

Thursday, September 04, 2008

By LYSA CHEN

JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Jersey City parents and children rallied outside the Board of Education building yesterday, asking for more transparency and faster action as the district moves to clean up lead found in drinking water at schools this summer.

The final results of the district's voluntary lead testing program, released last month, found that 3 percent of water sources at school buildings have elevated levels of lead, even when the faucets were allowed to run for a few minutes. The federal Environmental Protection Agency lead standard for drinking water is no more than 20-parts-per-billion.

"Now what?" shouted parents, as they marched outside the Claremont Avenue building, chanting and carrying signs.

"Our experience shows that if parents do not speak up, do not organize, then the district procrastinates," said Mahmood Ketabchi, organizer of the Parents and Communities United for Education rally.

PCUE leaders demanded a timeline for the district's lead clean-up by the end of the month, creation of a BOE standing committee dedicated to environmental issues, an indoor air quality walk-through that includes parents, and a semi-annual health and safety report card for each school.

Within 30 days, the district will announce a permanent remedy to the elevated lead problem, said Roger Jones, a spokesman for the district.

Any water sources that showed elevated levels of lead were shut off and water coolers were dispatched to the schools, he added.

"We're on their side whether they understand it or not," Jones said, referring to the ralliers. "We welcome this dialogue. By no means are our doors closed."

Read the article on line:

http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/jerseycity/index.ssf?/base/news-6/1220509611118300.xml&coll=3

Pictures From Rally for Healthy Schools

2008-09-03T19:06:00.000-07:00

More Pictures From Rally for Healthy Schools

2008-09-03T18:56:00.000-07:00

Press Release: Parents Want Healthy Schools

2008-09-03T18:39:00.001-07:00

Parents &

Communities

United for

Education

For Immediate Release

Sept. 3, 2008

Rally for Healthy Schools, Wednesday, 12:30pm Sept. 3

Parents Urge Epps and School Board on Safe Water

and Healthy Schools

Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE), the Jersey City’s public school reform organization, plans to rally in front of the Board of Education at 346 Claremont Avenue, JC. The rally will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 3, one day before schools open. The rally is intended to bring public attention to the continued low standards in school health and environmental safety, in particular the lead problem, when more than 28,000 Jersey City children are starting a new school year. Participants at the rally will also urge Charles Epps, School District Superintendent, and the Jersey City Board of Education to adopt and implement PCUE’s proposed initiative. PCUE’s proposal would create the necessary tools to identify and take preventive measures before health hazards become a major problem, similar to the lead fiasco, jeopardizing the health and academic performance of our children as well as costing our school district an enormous amount of money.

PCUE’s Proposed Initiative Include:

Creating a standing committee of the Board of Education that is exclusively responsible for the health and environmental safety of our schools. Three parents should be a part of this committee.
Creating an Indoor Air Quality Walkthrough Team following EPA guidelines at the district level. This team should include parents.
Issuing semi-annual health and safety report cards for each school to parents of children in Jersey City. The report card should be sent to parents via mail and posted on the District's website.

LueElla McFadden, President of PCUE and a great grandmother of a child in School # 38 stated that “we cannot allow another debacle like the lead problem to occur or a school to be closed because of mold problems.” “Our schools in this city are by and large very old, some over 100 years. Our school district must make health and environmental safety a top priority,“ she added.

Plan to Remediate Lead Problem

On August 6, 08, the JC Board of Education released the final test results for the last set of schools. A tally of the test results for all schools shows that more than 10% of water sources tested have elevated lead in the first draw - samples taken after the water source have not been used for at least 8 hours, and about 3% in the second draw - samples taken after the water had been allowed to run from water sources for a few minutes.

“The Board has announced that they plan to develop a remediation plan to correct the lead problem. But they have not said when such plan would be ready,” said Edna Williams, Vice President of PCUE and a grandmother of two children in School # 34. “We are concerned that our school officials will procrastinate as they did with the testing. This is about our children and their health, and we do not take it lightly. We are asking the Board to develop a remediation plan with a clear timeline by the end of September. Also, as parents and members of the community we want to know what that plan is. Therefore, they should share that plan with the public,” she stated.

Loyda Goldston, PCUE First Vice President said, “In any schools where water is completely or partially shut off, children must be given clean bottled water and not told to bring their own drinking water.” “The board also expects parents to send toilet paper to school with their children. That is ridiculous! Our schools have a budget of $630 million. Today we have brought with us rolls of toilet paper and a pack of bottled water to the board. This is our first and last donation. We need them to do their job.”

PCUE is a grassroots organization of parents, grandparents, and concerned members of the community. It is a chapter of the Statewide Education Organizing Committee of NJ. PCUE is committed to organizing parents in all Jersey City communities to improve education for our children. Since March of this year PCUE has launched a campaign ensuring that all our schools are tested for lead and parents and community are notified about the testing schedule and test results. For more information, parents are invited to call 201-918-2918 or visit the blog at http://pcueforhealthyschools.blogspot.com/

____________________________________________

Contact:

September 2, 2008 LueElla McFadden, President—201-918-2918

Loyda Goldston, 1^stVice-president-- 973-204-4121

Press Advisory: Rally for Healthy Schools

2008-09-03T18:32:00.000-07:00

Parents &

Communities

United for

Education

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES: FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Tuesday, August 27 Luella McFadden, President: 201-918-2918

Loyda Goldston, First Vice-president 973-204-4121

Rally 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3

Parents Urge Epps and School Board on Safe Water

and Healthy Schools

The city’s grassroots public school reform organization, Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE), will call on Jersey City Schools District Superintendent Charles T. Epps and the Jersey City Board of Education to adopt and implement PCUE’s healthy school proposals, previously submitted. In particular, PCUE will urge school officials to immediately develop both short-term and full scale plans to remediate the problem of lead in drinking water at Jersey City’s public schools. The advanced age of the city’s public school buildings – most are several decades old and some are over hundred years old -- calls for urgent attention to creating a healthy and safe school environment. A healthy school not only contributes to the comfort, health, and well-being of students but also allows students to perform better academically.

What: Rally to highlight the need for healthy schools for Jersey City children. Participants at the rally will carry signs. They will “donate” a case of bottled water and a pack of toilet paper to the Board of Education urging them to provide our children with safe water and sufficient toilet paper for restrooms.

When: Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, 12:30 p.m.

Where: Jersey City Board of Education

346 Claremont Avenue, Jersey City

169-A Martine Luther King Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305

201-918-2918

pcue.info@seocnj.org

For more information please visit: http://www.pcueforhealthyschools.blogspot.com/

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Complete List of Test Results for Drinking Water

2008-08-31T07:05:00.000-07:00

To read the text, please click on the image:

Jersey Journal: To Rally for Healthy Schools

2008-08-30T14:37:00.001-07:00

To rally for healthy schools

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Members of Parents & Communities United for Education (PCUE) plan to rally Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. in front of the Jersey City Board of Education offices, 346 Claremont Ave., to urge school officials to implement the group's healthy schools initiatives.

In particular, PCUE will urge school officials to immediately develop both short-term and full-scale plans to remediate the problem of lead in drinking water at Jersey City's public schools.

For more information, contact PCUE at (201) 918-2918.

JOURNAL STAFF

PCUE Open House on August 20 Was a Great Success

2008-08-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

Our Open House went very well. About 40 people attended the event. Many of them were new parents and community members who got a sense of who we are and what we do as an organization. PCUE officers did a great job! The office looked beautiful. There was a nice spread of food and the atmosphere was very friendly and inviting.

Many important people showed up. Thomas Favia, the President of JCEA (teachers' union) came for about 30 minutes. Kabili Tayari, the Deputy Mayor was there. Councilwoman, Viola Richardson attended. Mr. Fenandez, Principal for school # 20 and his Assistant Principal came. Loyda, our First Vice-President gave him a picture of the governor's visit to School # 20. At the bottom of the picture it read: To the parents, children, staff, and principal of school # 20: Congratulation on getting a new school. From PCUE."

Special thanks go out to Edna William, Luella McFadden, Loyda Goldston, Kisha Harris, Marie Mervil, and Roslyn Gibbs-Muse for all their hard work. And thanks to everyone else who in one way or another contributed to the success of this event. Finally, thanks to all the new people who came to the Open House.

Please see the pictures below or click here: 1 and 2

Pictures from PCUE Open House

2008-08-26T20:19:00.000-07:00

PCUE President, LueElla McFadden

Councilwoman Viola Richardson

Roslyn Gibbs-Muse, a PCUE leader, speaking to a parent

President and Vice-president from School # 11

More Pictures from PCUE Open House

2008-08-26T20:08:00.000-07:00

Tom Favia, president of Jersey City Education Association with PCUE leaders

Kabili Tayari, Deputy Mayor, with LueElla McFadden PCUE President

Mahmood Ketabchi, PCUE Lead Organizer speaking with Tom Favia

Mr. Fenandez, Pricipal for School # 20 and Assistant Principal with PCUE leaders

Mr. Fenandez, Pricipal for School # 20 holding a picture presented to him
by PCUE First Vice-president Loyda Goldston

Jersey City Reporter: Water testing is done, but parents have questions about the results

2008-08-17T09:31:00.001-07:00

The board of lead

3 percent of samples in school water fountains and sinks show elevated level

Ricardo Kaulessar
Reporter staff writer


	SATISFIED? NOT EXACTLY � Members of the Parents and Communities United for Education welcomed the final results of lead testing by the Jersey City school district, but still had questions.

The Jersey City Board of Education (BOE) announced the final results last week of testing for elevated levels of lead in water in all the city's school buildings.

After 1,301 sources of water in the Jersey City public schools were tested for lead starting in May - including water fountains and bathroom sinks - a total of 41 sources in various schools showed elevated levels of the toxic element. Those sources have been shut off or disconnected altogether.

The testing began due to reports in January of the high level of lead in drinking water found at six schools (Schools 11, 23, 31, 6, 27, and 25) during routine tests done back in September 2006 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In February, the school district started a "flushing" program whereby school custodians turned on the water each morning before the start of the school day to remove lead sitting in water pipes.

The results are posted on the BOE's Web site (www.jcboe.org).

Now the next step, according to school board spokesperson Roger Jones, is for the district to form a remediation plan for the 41 water sources with elevated levels of lead above the EPA guidelines of 20 parts per billion.

Then, the remediation plan has to be submitted to the EPA for their approval.

Some parents of children in the Jersey City school system have complained that school officials knew about the lead but did not tell the public in a timely manner.

Lead can affect the nervous system of growing children in several ways. According to the Centers for Disease Control, "Childhood lead poisoning is one of the most common pediatric health problems in the United States today, and it is entirely preventable."

The testing process

According to Maurice Howell, special assistant in charge of maintenance for Jersey City public schools, about 2,500 samples were taken from water sources in all of the city's 45 school buildings this year.

The testing was conducted by Glen Rock-based Garden State Environmental, Inc.

"First-draw" water samples were taken at water sources after they have not been used for at least eight hours, to see whether or not they have levels of lead above the EPA guidelines of 20 parts per billion.

Then, second-draw water samples were taken at sources that are initially found to have elevated levels of lead, after the water has run for a few minutes.

Water fountains removed

Once conclusive results came in from the second-draw sampling, water sources that were still found to have elevated levels were shut off or removed, as was the case last week with water fountains removed from Schools 6 and 28.

With all the testing results in, Howell expressed satisfaction at the testing being complete, pointing out that it was a voluntary measure by the school district.

"I think it's a great idea, and I'm excited because I think we are a better district for knowing that our district is working to become lead-free in terms of water for our children," Howell said.

Satisfied? Not exactly

Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE), a local grassroots organization, as well as other concerned citizens, petitioned School Superintendent Dr. Charles Epps and members of the board in recent months to speed up water testing so that it can be done in time to tell parents about the results before the end of the previous school year.

The results were then posted on the Jersey City Board of Education Web site (www.jcboe.org) as well as letters being sent out to parents once results from the testing had been determined.

PCUE Lead Organizer Mahmood Ketabchi said he and other PCUE members, many of whom have children in Jersey City schools, were "happy" to hear that testing was done. But Ketabchi said there are still questions.

"They're saying 3 percent of the water sources, but that is only after the second draw," Ketabchi said. "There were many more water sources found during the first draw and we want to know what the EPA says about that."

Comments on this story can be sent to rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com.

Urban Times News: Time to Show and Tell

2008-07-28T19:47:00.000-07:00

Please click on the image to enlarge and read it. Thanks.

Updated Test Result for Water In Public Schools

2008-07-21T15:58:00.000-07:00

Please Click on the image to see the large and legible version.

Jersey City Reporter: Contaminated Sources of Water in JC Public Schools

2008-07-06T21:46:00.000-07:00

Where will this testing lead?

22 sources of contaminated water shut off in schools
After 789 sources of water in the Jersey City public schools were tested for lead starting in May, a total of 22 sources showed elevated levels of the toxic element and have been shut off, with results being continuously released including as late as this past Thursday.

The water sources - such as fountains and sinks - were in Public School 3, School 3 Zero Tolerance, School 4, School 5, School 29, School 29A, Academy 1, School 15, McNair Academic High School, Snyder High, and Glenn D. Cunningham Early Childhood Center.

More testing was completed in late June, and the results from those tests will be available this coming Friday, July 11.

The testing began due to reports in January about the high level of lead in drinking water found at six schools (Schools 11, 23, 31, 6, 27, and 25) during testing done back in September of 2006 by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Some residents have complained that school officials knew about the lead and did not tell the public in a timely manner.

Full Story

Press Release: Parents Await Further Action on Water Safety and Parent Notification

2008-07-01T10:03:00.000-07:00

Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE)

Jersey City chapter of Statewide Education Organizing Committee (SEOC)

169-A Martin Luther King Drive

Jersey City, NJ 07305

201-918-2918

For Immediate Release

June 26, 2008

Epps’s promises about water safety are welcomed,

but parents await further actions

On Wednesday, June 25, 2008, Parents and Communities United for Education sent a letter to Dr. Epps, Jersey City Public School Superintendent, highlighting his promise at the Board meeting on Thursday, June 19, to implement proposals made by PCUE. In the letter, PCUE leaders indicated to the Superintendent that they were pleased to see that schools were being tested, and parents were kept informed. “However, during the summer, we will be watching closely to make sure that our school district follows through its agreement with EPA and its obligations to create healthy schools for our children,” the letter added.

PCUE asked the Superintendent and the Board members to:

Make a commitment to notify all parents by letter/mail when additional test results are ready after schools end on June 25
Translate information into Spanish for thousands of Spanish speaking parents
Assign someone with the necessary authority whom parents can call with their concerns and questions
Provide parents with information on health hazards related to lead and how and where they can get assistance and testing if they need to

Roslyn Gibbs-Muse, a parent leader with PCUE, said “More than 40 parents and children gathered at the Board meeting on June 19. This was the third time we assembled at the board meeting since April this year. We wanted to make sure that the Superintendent and the Board members see that we are here to stay and that we will be following through that all our children are safeguarded from health hazards while they are in schools.”

In the letter, PCUE emphasized that the Superintendent needs to:

Follow up and make sure that principals do send the letters home as he agreed to. We have come across many instances where parents complained that they did not receive the letter regarding testing schedule and/or test results.

Include Mr. Maurice Howell’s (point person for water testing) name and his contact information in the letter so that parents have that information. At this point, parents have no idea whom they can call and talk to if they have any issues regarding water testing and lead problems in the drinking water.

Send information regarding health hazards related to lead to all parents not just to PCUE.

PCUE is a grassroots organization of parents, grandparents, and concerned members of the community that is a chapter of the Statewide Education Organizing Committee of NJ. PCUE is committed to organizing parents in all Jersey City communities to improve education for our children and create schools that are healthy and safe. For more information on PCUE, parents are invited to call 201-918-2918 or visit the blog at http://pcueforhealthyschools.blogspot.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Contact:

LueElla McFadden-201-780-1933

Loyda Goldston-973-204-4121

Letter to Charles Epps: Parents Expect You to Do the Right Thing

2008-07-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

Parents and Communities united for Education (PCUE)

Jersey City Chapter of Statewide Education Organizing Committee (SEOC)

169-A Martin Luther King Drive

Jersey City, NJ 07305

201-918-2918

June 25, 2008

Dr. Charles Epps, School District Superintendent

Jersey City Public Schools

346 Claremont Avenue

Jersey City, NJ 07305

Dear Dr Epps,

We are pleased that your administration has taken important steps to test drinking water in all our schools and notify the parents and the public of the testing schedule and test results.

In this letter we would like to recap what you agreed to do at the Board of Education meeting on June 19 in regard to water testing:

Our proposal and your response were as follows:

Make a commitment to notify all parents by letter/mail when additional test results are ready after schools end on June 25;

You stated that the final test results will be ready by July 11 and since the school administrators are working until July 15, each school will send send the test results home by mail.

Translate information into Spanish for thousands of Spanish speaking parents.

You agreed that all relevant information regarding water testing will be translated into Spanish sent out to parents.

Assign someone with the necessary authority whom parents can call with their concerns and questions;

You said Mr. Maurice Howell, Special Assistance/Maintenance Plant Management is the point person who parents can call with their concerns.

Provide parents with information on health hazards related to lead and how and where they can get assistance and testing if they need to.

In response, you stated that you would put that information together and send it to us.

We would like to make the following recommendations and we request that you:

Follow up and make sure that principals do send the letters home as you agreed to. We have come across many instances where parents complained that they did not receive the letter regarding testing schedule and/or test results.
Include Mr. Maurice Howell’s name and his contact information in the letter so that parents have that information. At this point, parents have no idea whom they can call and talk to if they have any issues regarding water testing and lead problems in the drinking water.
Send information regarding health hazards related to lead to all parents not just to us.

We would like to reiterate that our proposals above are based on EPA communication guidelines reflected in the “3Ts” program which your administration has agreed to implement. Our school district and you as the Superintendent of our schools – as you have stated - have an obligation to our children and to us as parents to do everything in your power to make sure that our children are safeguarded while they are in school.

Once again we are happy to see that you have taken some steps to make sure that our schools are healthier and safer and parents are kept informed about health related issues in our schools. However, during the summer, we will be watching closely to make sure that our school district follows though its agreement with EPA and its obligations to create healthy schools for our children.

We are looking forward to working with you to make sure that Jersey City children are getting a quality education and that our schools are healthy and environmentally safe.

Should you have any questions or want to speak with us you may reach us at 201-918-2918. Please ask for Ms. LouElla McFadden.

Sincerely,

CC:

Mr. William DeRosa, President of the Jersey City Board of Education
Ms. Suzanne T. Mack, Member of the JCBOE and Chair of the Facility Committee of the Board
Ms. Dore LaPosta, Director of Division of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region II
Press

Pictures: PCUE's Action at the Board of Education Meeting on June 19

2008-06-21T18:39:00.000-07:00

Press Release: Parents Tell Board: Follow EPA Guidelines

2008-06-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE)

Jersey City chapter of Statewide Education Organizing Committee (SEOC)

169-A Martin Luther King Drive

Jersey City, NJ 07305

201-918-2918

For Immediate Release

June 19, 2008

Parents Tell Board: Follow EPA Guidelines

On Thursday, June 19 from 6 to 8pm, parents from Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE) will assemble at the Board of Education meeting taking place at school #11 on the corner of the Bergen Ave. and Academy Street. Parents will be holding signs and speaking during the public comment period to urge Dr. Epps and the members of the Board of Education to abide by its agreement with the US Environmental Protection Agency to fully inform parents and the community about the testing of water in Jersey City schools.

PCUE is asking the Board to:

Make a commitment to notify all parents by letter/mail when additional test results are ready after schools end on June 25;
Assign someone with the necessary authority whom parents can call with their concerns and ask questions;
Translate information into Spanish for thousands of Spanish speaking parents;
Provide parents with information on health hazards related to lead and how and where they can get assistance and testing if they need to.

Loyda Goldston, a parent with three children in PS # 34 said "We are very pleased to see that our schools are being tested for lead and parents have received notification about the testing schedule and that the test results for some schools have been released. However, we are here to make sure that our school district will notify all parents by mail when additional test results are ready after schools end on June 25. We want our district to translate this information into Spanish for parents who speak very little or no English. As parents we have a right to know when and if our children have been exposed to any health hazards."

Another parent, Marie Mervil, with child in McNair High School, stated that "Our school district, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, has an obligation to provide parents of children in schools with high levels of lead with information about lead related health hazards and resources where they can seek assistance and testing if they want to."

Parents want a comprehensive "Healthy Schools Program"

Since March of this year, PCUE has begun a Healthy School Campaign to safeguard the safety and well-being of Jersey City school children. Health hazards during this academic year affected thousands of children.

PCUE's campaign has highlighted health hazards in schools and proposed a four-point proposal including:

1. Immediately test drinking water in all schools and keep parents fully informed, 2. Create a standing committee of BOE members and parents that will be exclusively responsible for school health and safety, 3. Create an Indoor Air Quality Team at the district level following EPA guidelines, and 4. Issue semi-annual health and safety report cards for each school to be sent to parents and posted on the District's website.

*******************************************************************

Contact:

LueElla McFadden-201-780-1933

Loyda Goldston-973-204-4121

Jersey City Reporter: A lead on lead in schools

2008-06-15T15:22:00.000-07:00

A lead on lead in schools

Parents want info ASAP; Board of Ed gives results




	THEY WANT ANSWERS – Members of Parents and Communities United for Education, a Jersey City grassroots organization, want lead testing in Jersey City public schools to finish before the end of the school year.

Parents of Jersey City schoolchildren want answers immediately about the lead levels in drinking water in the Jersey City public schools.

Members of Parents and Communities United for Education, a local grassroots organization, have petitioned School Superintendent Dr. Epps and members of the Board of Education in recent weeks to speed up water testing so that it can be done in time to tell parents from all schools about the results before the end of the school year.

They also want the results to be posted on the Jersey City Board of Education Web site (www.jcboe.org).

The testing is being done voluntarily by the Jersey City school system in all 45 of the city's public school buildings due to reports in January about the high level of lead in drinking water found at six schools (Schools 11, 23, 31, 6, 27, and 25).

Local newspaper articles said that some administrators in the school district knew about the lead problem for over a year in those schools, but did not tell parents.

To Read the full story, please click on the link below:
http://www.hudsonreporter.com/site/news.asp?brd=1291&nav_sec=68508

EPA Intervention Sought: Jersey City School District not abiding by its agreement

2008-05-31T10:41:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release

May 29, 2008

EPA Intervention Sought:

Jersey City School District not abiding by its agreement to notify

all parents about the test results for water quality

On Thursday, May 29, 2008, Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE) sent a letter to Ms. Dore LaPosta, Director of the Division of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance at the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA), Region 2 that has been engaged in testing drinking water in Jersey City Schools since August 2006. PCUE asked Ms. LaPosta to intervene to get the Jersey City Public School District to abide by its agreement with EPA, specifically with respect to the EPA’s communication guidelines to notify parents from all schools about the test results for drinking water.

In September 2006, the EPA warned Jersey City School District about the high level of lead in the drinking water of six schools. Despite its agreement with the EPA, the District failed to notify parents and the community and has just recently, after 21 months delay, begun testing drinking water of all Jersey City schools.

On May 7, in a letter to parents, school staff, and administration, the Board announced the schedule for testing all 45 Jersey City school buildings. According to the schedule, the testing will continue until June 25, when schools are closed. The last set of school buildings (Dickinson High School, PS 6, 7, 8, 25, 27, 28, 31, 11, and the A Harry Moore and BOE building) will be tested from June 12 until June 25. Thousands of parents will not learn about the test results by letters sent home with their children if the Board’s testing schedule is not accelerated.

“The Board needs to speed up its testing and notify all parents of results before school ends,” said PCUE parent leader LueElla McFadden, “because they promised and because it’s the right thing to do for our children. They should notify parents by sending letter home to them, as they always do. ”

Parents and Communities United for Education is the Jersey City chapter of the Statewide Education Organizing Committee. For more information, parents are invited to call 201-918-2918.

****************************************************

Contacts:

LueElla McFadden-201-780-1933

Loyda Goldston-973-204-4121

PCUE Asks the EPA to Interven in Water Testing

2008-05-31T10:36:00.000-07:00

Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE)

Jersey City chapter of Statewide Education Organizing Committee (SEOC)

169-A Martin Luther King Drive

Jersey City, NJ 07305

201-918-2918

May 29, 2008

Ms. Dore LaPosta,

Director of Division of Enforcement

and Compliance Assistance

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

209 Broadway, 21st Floor

NY, NY 10007

Dear Ms. Dore LaPosta,

We are writing you today on behalf of many parents in Jersey City. We would like to express our deep concern that once again thousands of parents from at least one-third of all of the schools in the Jersey City will not find out about the test results for drinking water in their children’s schools before the end of the school year. We need your intervention to get Jersey City Public School District to abide by its agreement with the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), particularly with respect to the EPA’s communication guidelines to notify parents from all schools about the test results for drinking water. We are sure you share our concern that parents have a right to know if and when their children are exposed to health hazards.

In September 2006, when EPA warned the Jersey City Public Schools about high levels of lead in drinking water, the district failed to notify parents and the community until it became a national news story 18 month later. The testing that is currently taking place has been delayed for almost two years.

We understand that Jersey City school district voluntarily agreed to participate in the EPA’s 3ts (Training, Testing, and Telling) program and to follow the EPA’s guidelines including those related to communication with parents and the community. In fact, on February 28, 2008, when Mahmood Ketabchi, our Lead Organizer and Dennis Brunn, Executive Director of Statewide Education Organizing Committee, met with Mr. Michael McGowan and Ms. Evangelia Palagian, they were told that Jersey City Public Schools were “totally on board” with the EPA’s 3ts program. However, the school district has set a testing schedule that will continue until June 25, when schools are closed. The last set of school buildings (Dickinson High School, PS 6, 7, 8, 25, 27, 28, 31, 11, A Harry Moore and Board of Education building) will be tested from June 12 until June 25.

At the Facility Committee meeting of the Board of Education on May 19, 2008, PCUE leaders were told that test results for some of the school tested would be available in the first week of June. However, based on the Board’s testing schedule, thousands of parents will not learn the outcome of the test. The usual way the Board communicates with parents is through letters sent home with children. Putting the test results on the website is a good idea, something that PCUE has been asking for. However, most parents do not use computers.

On March 11, 2008, during a meeting with the School District Superintendent, Dr. Epps, he was provided with a copy of EPA’s 3ts booklet and highlighted the need for the district to follow EPA’s communication guidelines. In response to our concern, he pointed out that the EPA had commended the district in writing for the way it has handled communication with parents. We asked him for a copy of that letter, as well as to have it posted on the district website. He agreed to give us a copy and to post it on the district website; as of the writing of this letter, however, he has done neither. We do not understand how the district could be commended for things that they have failed to accomplish.

We are convinced that without continued public pressure from our organization and the local media, Jersey City Public Schools would not have taken the actions they have taken to date. Only after meetings PCUE initiated with Supt. Charles Epps, with Board Member Suzanne Mack and subsequently with the Facilities Committee, and after a protest of over 60 parents and children at the April 17^th meeting of the Board of Education, petitions, and over 400 postcards was the Superintendent moved to act to carry out the promise to test all schools and notify parents about it.

As parents of public schools children, we strongly believe that our school district has failed to fully and promptly carry out its responsibilities.

We are calling upon you to investigate this situation and to use all your powers to make sure that the Jersey City school district complies with its obligations including:

1. Speeding up the testing so that it can be done on time to notify parents of all children about the test results for drinking water before school ends on June 25, including through letters sent home to parents;

2. Assigning someone with the necessary authority whom parents can call with their concerns and ask questions;

3. Translating information into Spanish for thousands of Spanish speaking parents

4. Rectifying any identified lead problem during the summer so that there will be no inconveniencies for our children when the new school year begins in Sept.

5. Providing parents with information on health hazards related to lead and how and where they can get assistance and testing if they need to.

We are looking forward to hearing from you by June 6, 2008. If you need any further information and/or would like to discuss the issue you can reach Ms. Telissa Dowling, a parent leader at 201-724-1408 or Mahmood Ketabchi, our organizer at 201-377-8585.

Sincerely,

CC:

All School Board Members

Jersey City Mayor

Jersey City Municipal Council

Board of Freeholders of Hudson County

Press

Parents assemble at the Board meeting: “Tell ALL parents about water test results before schools close in June!”

2008-05-23T10:37:00.000-07:00

Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE)

Jersey City chapter of Statewide Education Organizing Committee (SEOC)

169-A Martin Luther King Drive

Jersey City, NJ 07305

201-918-2918

For Immediate Release

May 23, 2008

Parents assemble at the Board meeting: “Tell ALL parents

about water test results before schools close in June!”

On Thursday, May 22, about 40 parents and children assembled at the Jersey City Board of Education meeting to urge School Superintendent Dr. Epps and members of the Board of Education to speed up water testing so that it can be done in time to tell parents from all schools about the test result before the end of the school year. The testing that is being currently conducted has been delayed for almost two years.

Since March of this year, PCUE has begun a Healthy Schools Campaign to safeguard the safety and well-being of Jersey City school children. Thanks to the hard work of PCUE parents and leaders and support from hundreds of other parents and community members, the Board of Education has recently begun the water testing and notified parents of the schedule.

While assembling at the Board’s meeting, participants held signs in English and Spanish such as “Act Now! No More Promises,” “Speed Up Water Testing,” and Test Result for Water: Tell All Parents.”

Telissa Dowling, a parent leader with Parents and Communities United for Education told the Board that putting the test results on the website is a good idea, something that PCUE has been pushing for. However, she added that most parents do not use computers. The usual way the Board communicates with parents is through letters sent home with children. Ms. Dowling gave the board copies of over 400 postcards in support of the PCUE Healthy Schools Campaign

Neither Epps nor any Board member made a comment how they plan to address the problem. “I am very upset that our District’s leaders are not responding to our concern that all parents be informed about this critical health issue,” said Ms. LoueElla McFadden, great-grandmother of a child at school 38 “there are thousands of parents who will not learn about the test results. This is not the leadership our children deserve!” she added.

On May 7, in a letter to parents, school staff, and administration, the Board announced the schedule for testing all 45 Jersey City school buildings. According to the schedule, the testing will continue until June 25, when schools are closed. The last set of school buildings (Dickinson High School, PS 6, 7, 8, 25, 27, 28, 31, 11, A Harry Moore and BOE building) will be tested from June 12 until June 25.

At the Facility Committee meeting of the BOE, PCUE leaders were told that test results for some of the school tested will be available in the first week of June. However, based on the Board’s testing schedule, parents from at least a dozen schools, including parents from the schools that have had lead problems detected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency since Sept. 2006, may never find out about the test results. In September 2006, when EPA warned the Jersey City Public Schools about high levels of lead in drinking water in six schools, the district failed to notify parents and the community until it became a national news story 18 month later.

Parents want a comprehensive "Healthy Schools Program"

PCUE’s campaign has highlighted health hazards in schools and proposed a four-point proposal including:

Contacts:

LueElla McFadden-201-780-1933

Loyda Goldston-973-204-4121

Picutres from PCUE Action on May 22

2008-05-22T20:25:00.000-07:00

More Pictures from PCUE Protest at the BOE Meeting on May 22

2008-05-22T20:03:00.000-07:00

Press Release: Parents Assemble at the BOE Meeting

2008-05-21T14:35:00.000-07:00

Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE)

Jersey City chapter of Statewide Education Organizing Committee (SEOC)

169-A Martin Luther King Drive

Jersey City, NJ 07305

201-918-2918

For Immediate Release

May 20, 2008

PARENTS TELL BOARD:

ALL PARENTS MUST BE NOTIFIED OF TEST RESULTS FOR WATER

BEFORE SCHOOL ENDS!

On Thursday, May 22, 2008, at 6pm, Parents and Communities United for Education will gather at the Board of Education to urge School Superintendent Dr. Epps and Members of the Board of education to notify parents from all schools about the test result for drinking water before the end of the school year. The Board of Education meeting will take place at Martin Luther King, PS 11 on the corner of Bergen Ave and Academy Street.

On May 7, in a letter to parents, school staff, and administration, the Board announced the schedule for testing all 45 Jersey City school buildings. According to the schedule, the testing will continue until June 25, when schools are closed. The last set of school buildings (Dickinson High School, PS 6, 7, 8, 25, 27, 28, 31, 11, A Harry Moore and BOE building) will be tested from June 12 until June 25.

Telissa Dowling, a parent leader with PCUE, said “Dr. Epps promised us in his letter that they would tell parents about the test result. We are happy to see that they are taking the first step to inform parents of the test result beginning first week of June as they promised us at the Facility Committee meeting of the BOE on May 19^. But, based on the Board’s testing schedule, parents from at least dozen of schools will not be notified because testing is not going be done soon enough to notify all parents.”

“This is not fair,” said Zaida Oyola, a parent leader with NJ Action 21, a community-based organization. “Schools in the Heights area have been the first ones with lead problems. Schools officials did not tell us last time until it became national news that we had lead problem in our schools. But this time, they have to do everything in their power, including speeding up the testing, to get the information about test result to us as they promised,” She added. Ms. Oyola has a child in PS #8.

Parents want a comprehensive "Healthy Schools Program"

PCUE’s campaign has highlighted health hazards in schools and proposed a four-point proposal including:

_____________________________________________

Contact:

LueElla McFadden-201-780-1933

Loyda Goldston-973-204-4121

Updated Letter to Parents from JCBOE about Testing Drinking Water

2008-05-20T19:40:00.000-07:00

On May 7, in letter to parents, Jersey City Board of Education has announced that beginning May 13 drinking water in all Jersey City public schools will be tested for lead. The letter provides a schedule that shows when each school will be tested.

To read the full text of the letter please click here.

Jersey Journal: Jersey City schools' water to be tested for lead

2008-05-12T07:19:00.000-07:00

Schools' water to be tested for lead

Monday, May 12, 2008

By KEN THORBOURNE

JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Following the disclosure of elevated lead levels in the drinking water at six schools in Jersey City earlier this year, the Jersey City Board of Education announced last week plans to test water sources in all its buildings for elevated lead levels beginning tomorrow.

Tests in all 45 school buildings are expected to be completed by the end of June, officials said.

In February, school officials rushed to shut taps at six schools after tests showed lead levels as high as 40 times the federal standard - no more than 20 parts per billion. Affected were Schools 6, 25, 27, 31, 11, and 23.

These schools, along with Schools 8 and 28, had originally been flagged as problematic by the federal Environmental Protection Agency in August 2006 as part of a voluntary program the district participates in.

School officials have never fully explained why it took them 18 months - from August 2006 to February 2008 - before they "directed the water fountains in the six schools to be taken out of service immediately, and bottled water to be brought in for students and staff," to quote a press release issued by Superintendent of Schools Charles T. Epps Jr. in February.

"We are very happy to see that the board is responding to our demand to immediately test drinking water in all schools and notify parents about the schedule when the testing will take place," said Loyda Goldston, a parent leader with the group, Parent and Communities United for Education.

"Testing the water in all Jersey City schools is an important first step toward our children's safety, but we will be watching closely to see that the testing is completed, that parents are notified of the results by the end of the school year, and any possible problem is corrected before September when schools open," Goldston added.

Click on the link to see the front page: http://blog.nj.com/hudsoncountynow_impact/2008/05/cover0512.jpg

Hudson County Freeholders Support PCUE's Campaign for Healthy Schools

2008-05-08T19:56:00.000-07:00

In its meeting today, May 8, 2008, Hudson County Board of Freeholders passed a resolution supporting PCUE's call to action to create healthy schools for Jersey City children. The resolution also recognized April 28 as National Healthy School Day. Please read the text of the resolution below:

RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING NATIONAL HEALTHY SCHOOLS DAY

AND SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF HEALTHY SCHOOLS

FOR JERSEY CITY CHILDREN

WHEREAS, “National Healthy Schools Day” observances in communities nationwide held on April 28, 2008 highlighted the impact of school facilities and the school environment on child health, development and academic achievement; and

WHEREAS, a healthy learning environment heightens student attendance and performance and contributes to the comfort, health and well-being of students and staff; and

WHEREAS, indoor air quality in school facilities can affect attendance, concentration and performance by both children and teachers who normally spend thirty to fifty hours each week in school buildings; young children with special needs are especially vulnerable to toxic mold and chemical exposure, which can affect their development, cause upper respiratory illnesses and contribute to learning disabilities; and

WHEREAS, there are 29,288 students in the Jersey City school district, 2,900 teachers and numerous other school staff, all of whom spend an important part of their day in public schools across the city; and

WHEREAS, during this school year, thousands of school children in Jersey City’s public schools have had unpleasant experiences because of unhealthy conditions in their schools, including: Public School No. 15, which closed for 3 weeks because of mold problems in the gym; Public School No. 16, which closed a trailer classroom for kindergarten children because of mold; and Public Schools Nos. 11, 23, 31, 6, 25 and 27, where drinking water was shut off and bottled water was distributed because of high levels of lead in the drinking water; and

WHEREAS, the Statewide Education Organizing Committee (S.E.O.C.) is an organization of public school parents and community leaders from urban and low-income school districts who have come together to fight for improvements in the education system; Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE), a local chapter of the S.E.O.C., is a grassroots organization of parents, grandparents and concerned members of the Jersey City community committed to the improvement of education and the creation of schools that are healthy and safe; and

WHEREAS, PCUE’s call to action includes a 4-point proposal for safe and healthy schools, for implementation by the school district, consisting of: 1) providing parents and the community the results of drinking water tests in all schools and the plans for correcting any identified problems; 2) creating a standing committee at the Jersey City Board of Education that will be exclusively responsible for health and environmental safety of schools; 3) creating an indoor air quality team at the district level in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s suggested model; and 4) issuing semi-annual health and environmental safety report cards for each school.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders as follows:

1. The Board does hereby recognize April 28, 2008 as “National Healthy Schools Day”; and

2. The Board supports healthy school policies in cooperation with school officials, school parents and community partners; and

3. The Board endorses the PCUE’s 4-point proposal for safe and healthy schools.

Press Release: Parents Applaud Water Testing, but Expect Results before the End of School Year

2008-05-08T19:49:00.000-07:00

Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE)

JC chapter of Statewide Education Organizing Committee (SEOC)

169-A Martin Luther King Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305

For Immediate Release

May 8, 2008

Parents Applaud Water Testing, but Expect Results before the End of School Year

Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE), the grassroots organization that has been calling since March for a comprehensive program to guarantee safe water and air in all Jersey City school buildings, responded with cautious optimism today to the news that in one month, beginning May 12, drinking water in all Jersey City Public school will be tested. Several parents in PCUE have received letters from Jersey City Public Schools notifying them of the news.

"We are very happy to see that the Board is responding to our demand to immediately test drinking water in all school and notify parents about the schedule when the testing will take place," said Loyda Goldston, a PCUE parent leader with three children in school 34. "Testing the water in all Jersey City schools is an important first step toward our children's safety, but we will be watching closely to see that the testing is completed, that parents are notified of the results by the end of the school year, and any possible problem is corrected before September when schools open," she added.

Another parent, Valentine Gakuba, with a child in school in Lincoln High School stated that "Lot of parents I spoke with in my neighborhood have not received the letter. The BOE has to do a better job to reach out to parents. The letter needs to be translated in Spanish. Although the letter is posted on the district's website, it should be put in the local papers. Moreover, they have not given us any information about whom to contact if we have any questions."

Parents called today's Board of Education announcement a victory for all Jersey City public school parents, children and school staff, but cautioned that there still remains much to be done before schools re-open.

Parents want a comprehensive "Healthy Schools Program"

Since March, PCUE has been calling on Superintendent Epps and the Board of Education to carry out a four point program to address unsafe environmental conditions in Jersey City schools:

Following the US Environmental Protection Agency's communication guidelines, Jersey City District should immediately notify parents of its timeline for testing drinking water and let them know when the results will be available. It should also designate a contact person with the necessary authority to communicate with parents regarding lead issues and address their concerns.

Create a standing committee of the Board of Education that is exclusively responsible for health and environmental safety of our schools. Three parents should be a part of this committee.

Create an Indoor Air quality Team following EPA guidelines at the district level. This team should partly consist of parents.

Issue semi-annual health and safety report cards for each school to parents of children in Jersey City beginning in August 2008. The report card should be sent to parents via mail and posted on the District's website.

Parent leaders met with Superintendent Epps on March 11 to present their proposals, and subsequently met with Facilities Committee chairperson Suzanne T. Mack. "Everyone heard us," said Louella McFadden, "but we need action not promises." So PCUE parents took their message to the April 17 meeting of the Board of Education. About 60 parents and children held signs calling for "Safe Water and Air in Our Schools" throughout the meeting. Parent leader Telissa Dowling addressed the Board. She also hand delivered about 700 signatures from parents coming from over 30 schools on petitions in support of the PCUE's 4-point healthy schools proposals.

PCUE is a grassroots organization of parents, grandparents, and concerned members of the community that is a chapter of the Statewide Education Organizing Committee of NJ. PCUE is committed to organize parents in all Jersey City communities to improve education for our children and create schools that are healthy and safe. For more information on PCUE, parents are invited to call 201-918-2918 or visit the blog at http://pcueforhealthyschools.blogspot.com/

******************************
Contact:

Telissa Dowling at 201-724-1408

Loyda Goldston at 973-204-4121

PCUE Celebrates April 28, National Day of Healthy Schools

2008-04-27T19:44:00.000-07:00

April 28 is National Day of Healthy Schools. PCUE will join many other cities across the state and the country to educate the public about the urgency of assuring safe water and air conditions in schools and to urge public school officials to improve health and environmental safety of our schools.

PCUE leaders and organizers will set up tables in four Jersey City neighborhoods (Greenville, Heights, Downtown, and Journal Square), distribute information, and provide giveaways to children.

On April 19th, PCUE initiated a postcard campaign to Charles Epps, Schools Superintendent, urging him to safeguard our children's health and well-being in schools. On the National Day of Healthy Schools, PCUE will ask parents and Jersey City residents to participate in our postcard campaign.

If you you cannot sign our postcard, you can call Charles Epps at his office: 201-915-6210.

Please tell him to notify parents when the remaining 39 schools will be tested for lead in the drinking water and ask when he plans to tell parents about the results of the test.

Joursey Journal: Pressure to clean site, build school

2008-04-23T17:10:00.000-07:00

Pressure to clean site, build school

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

By KEN THORBOURNE

JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Three Hudson County citizens groups asked Gov. Jon Corzine yesterday to light a fire under a long-delayed chromium cleanup job that they say is holding up building a new public school in Jersey City.

The site in question is at the corner of Ocean and Cator avenues in Greenville. The state has plans - that are also stalled due to a lack of funding - to build a new School 20 on the land.

To read the full text please click on the link below:
http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/jerseycity/index.ssf?/base/news-6/1208931920118440.xml&coll=3

Press Release: Clean Up the Chromiun Site for the New School 20

2008-04-23T17:04:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release

April 22, 2008

Jersey City Groups Call on Governor to Break State Logjam on New School

DEP Inaction on Chromium Blocks Badly-Needed New Elementary School

Three Hudson County citizens’ groups asked Governor Corzine today to end years of delay by the state Department of Environmental Protection on a toxic-waste cleanup at a site owned by another state agency, the Schools Development Authority. The Jersey City site has for several years been slated as the new site for Public School 20, but the project remains stalled while DEP grants the corporation responsible for the pollution one extension after another.

The three groups – the Interfaith Community Organization, Parents and Communities United for Education, and the PS 20 Parents’ Council – sent Governor Corzine a letter today asking him to act swiftly to get the cleanup done, and to ensure that the cleanup is permanent and fully protective of public health. The groups pointed to a 1993 cleanup agreement for the site that remains unenforced.

“This project is absolutely vital for the people of Jersey City, especially children and residents of Greenville neighborhood that has yet to see a new school construction in their community,” said PCUE parent leader Louella McFadden. “We can’t afford to wait another year while DEP does nothing.” PCUE is currently engaged in a campaign to improve health and environmental safety of Jersey City public schools.

The site is located on Ocean Avenue, at the corner of Cator Avenue, in the Greenville section of Jersey City, and is planned as the future home of PS 20, a successful but overcrowded school currently operating in an aging building nearby.

“The Greenville section is blessed to have Public School 20, which is one of the real success stories in the Jersey City public schools,” said Mr. Fletcher Walker who is the president of the PTA at school 20. “But we need an adequate building.” The school’s overcrowded classrooms are currently supplemented by adjacent trailers. Mr. Walker has one Grandchild attending the school.

The state’s Schools Development Authority acquired the site in 2004, and with the input of the PS 20 community and neighbors, developed a plan for the new facility. Jersey City school officials consider the PS 20 project a top priority. The SDA’s efforts have been stymied, however, by DEP’s stalled progress in compelling Honeywell International to clean the site.

The site is known by DEP as Chromium Site #155 – one of more than 200 known locations in Hudson County where chemical companies dumped highly toxic waste generated by chromite ore processing at local plants. The residue from this processing contains hexavalent chromium, one of the most potent known carcinogens. In the 1950s or 1960s, an old building foundation at the site was filled in with chromite ore residue. Levels of hexavalent chromium measured at the site are more than 100 times the levels considered safe by the DEP (20 parts per million). The waste is concentrated in the first four feet of soil, and extends up to 14 feet below grade on some parts of the site.

The Interfaith Community Organization, the local citizens’ group that has successfully pushed for chromium cleanups in the county since 1989, recently reviewed some of DEP’s records related to the site.

“We were concerned about the delays at the site,” said Rev. Geoff Curtiss, ICO co-chairperson. “And we were especially concerned by the possibility that DEP might allow Honeywell to cap the site and walk away without a real cleanup, and that the Schools Development Corporation would then proceed with a school construction project on top of a capped chromium site. The SDA has a history of mistakes like this, that result in jeopardizing the health of children.”

Tom McKee, a retired DEP official who led DEP’s chromium cleanup efforts in the late 1980s and early 1990s, reviewed documents related to the site on behalf of ICO.
“What we found in the files surprised us,” said Mr. McKee. “The SDA has apparently pushed DEP for several years, quite aggressively, to require Honeywell to excavate and remove the chromium waste from the site. The DEP case managers have agreed. The problem has been the lack of will of the political leadership of DEP.”

“We commend Scott Weiner of the Schools Development Authority for recognizing that you can’t safely build a public school on a capped chromium site,” site Rev. Curtiss. “The problem is the same one ICO has confronted for years – the failure of DEP leadership to require polluters to clean up their toxic waste.”

Mr. McKee, who was directly involved in DEP’s efforts to negotiate cleanup agreements with Honeywell and two other chromium-producting companies, said the DEP has all the enforcement tools it needs to get a timely and protective cleanup done.

“A lot of work and taxpayer dollars were spent forging the cleanup agreement with Honeywell in 1993,” McKee said. “Fifteen years later, the terms of that agreement have still not been enforced – at this site and many others. Honeywell’s lobbyists have been able to tie the hands of DEP for decades while urgent cleanups go undone.”

The groups called on Governor Corzine to get the cleanup done within one year. Rev. Curtiss recalled the cleanup of Metro Field in Jersey City, done by Honeywell in 1993, under pressure from the state, ICO and media scrutiny. “The Metro Field cleanup took a few months, and Honeywell got the job done in time for the next Little League season,” Curtiss said. “We’re asking for the same sense of urgency from the Governor for this cleanup.”

CONTACTS:

Louella McFadden, Parents and Communities United for Education, 201-780-1933 or 201-918-2918

Fletcher Walker, PTA President, 201-432-1808 and cell 201-344-5768

Rev. Geoff Curtiss, Interfaith Community Organization, 201-792-3563

Tom McKee, ICO consultant & former DEP official, 856-506-0625

Letter To Governor Corzine Regarding to the New Site for School 20

2008-04-23T17:01:00.000-07:00

April 22, 2008

Governor Corzine

Office of the Governor
PO Box 001
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-292-6000

Dear Governor Corzine:

We are writing to ask you to resolve a dispute between two state entities that has delayed – and might derail – the construction of a desperately needed new school in the Greenville neighborhood of Jersey City.

Greenville is a predominantly African-American and Hispanic neighborhood, with thousands of low- and moderate-income working families who struggle to find safe, decent public schools for their children. They are fortunate to have one of the city’s more successful schools in the neighborhood, Public School 20. But the school is located in a small, aging building, with overcrowded classrooms supplemented by adjacent “temporary” trailers.

More than a decade ago, school officials and community leaders identified an ideal vacant site for a new facility for PS 20, at the corner of Ocean Avenue and Cator Avenue. The state’s Schools Development Authority acquired the site, and with the input of the PS 20 community, developed a first-rate plan for a modern facility. This proposed new school would be the first SDA construction project in the Greenville section. The vision for this school is embraced by school officials, parents, neighbors and adjacent property owners. This project would help revitalize and anchor a long-neglected area, and is a top priority of Jersey City school officials. By all measures, it would appear to be exactly the kind of project for which the state created the SDA.

There is one obstacle, however. The property contains high levels of toxic waste which the state Department of Environmental Protection has failed to get cleaned up, despite nearly two decades of agency attention. The waste is hexavalent chromium, one of the worst known carcinogens, and is present at more than 100 times safe levels. Fortunately, the state long ago identified the party responsible for the contamination as Honeywell International – a company with the ability to pay for the cleanup. And, under the terms of the cleanup agreement negotiated in 1993, Honeywell has a clear obligation to conduct the cleanup; DEP, under this agreement, has the clear authority to set deadlines, standards and methods for the cleanup. Indeed, under the 1993 agreement, the cleanup should have been completed more than a decade ago.

Instead, as has been the case in so many other similar sites, DEP has failed to carry out its mission of protecting public health and the environment, even where the most difficult part of the work – winning a hard-fought cleanup agreement – has been done.

We recently reviewed some of DEP’s files on this case, to try to find out the status of the cleanup and the reason for the long delays. What we found was surprising. We had read about the SDA’s previous failures to ensure that some contaminated sites in urban areas were permanently and adequately cleaned up prior to school construction, and we feared that SDA might have taken a similarly sloppy approach here. We also feared that SDA might have been too willing to use taxpayer dollars to pay for a cleanup that should be fully financed by Honeywell.

Instead, the files show that SDA is taking its mission seriously, at least at this site. For several years, SDA has been asking DEP to enforce the 1993 agreement with Honeywell and to require a timely and permanent cleanup of the site, so that construction can proceed. And, at least as indicated by the correspondence we reviewed, SDA is insisting that the polluter pay 100% of cleanup costs. We commend Mr. Scott Weiner, the Chief Executive Officer of SDA, and Mr. Thomas Ahern, who has been leading SDA’s efforts on this project.

The problem is that DEP has failed to insist, from the outset, that Honeywell conduct a permanent and fully protective cleanup. Until SDA objected, DEP appeared willing to let Honeywell consider an untested experimental cleanup method at this site, rather than excavation and removal of hexavalent chromium. (We agree with the SDA on this: while we strongly support experimentation to develop alternative cleanup remedies, a public elementary school is not the place to start.) Over strenuous objections from SDA, DEP has granted Honeywell one extension after another.

While SDA appears to have learned from its well-publicized failures, DEP seems intent on repeating its mistakes over and over again.

The result of DEP’s dysfunction has been that schoolchildren in the Greenville neighborhood remain overcrowded in PS 20, or forced to attend substandard schools elsewhere. A prime parcel in the heart of the neighborhood remains toxic, and the chromium waste there continues to leach into groundwater and to make its way to surfaces, where it jeopardizes the health of those who live and work nearby. Neighbors of the site have never been informed by the DEP or state Department of Health that the vacant site contains hexavalent chromium; many of them heard of this for the first time when members of the Interfaith Community Organization knocked on their doors.

We ask that you act on behalf of the children and families of Jersey City, and insist that DEP immediately order Honeywell to excavate and remove all chromium-contaminated soil from the new PS 20 property. The project should be completed within one year. (We point you to Honeywell’s 1993 cleanup of Metro Field in Jersey City as a model. This site was cleaned up in a matter of months, under state oversight and media scrutiny, in time for the opening day of Little League baseball. Certainly the prospect of breaking ground for a new public school should carry the same sense of urgency.)

Our organizations plan to gather, along with members of the PS 20 community, on May 21. We would appreciate a response by that time.

Sincerely,

Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE)

Interfaith Community Organization (ICO)

PS 20 Parents’ Council

PCUE at Earth Day Fair 2008: Healthy Schools and Healthy Planet

2008-04-22T18:45:00.000-07:00

Healthy Schools and Healthy Planet

On April 19, 2008 PCUE members and friends spread the word about health and safety hazards in Jersey City public schools at the Hudson County Improvement Authority's 2008 Earth Day Fair. Over 100 Jersey City parents, grandparents, teachers, and concerned citizens wrote postcards to Superintendent Dr. Charles Epps demanding safe and healthy schools for our children. PCUE spoke with hundreds of parents about health and safety hazards in our schools and shared PCUE's four-point proposal for reform. Additionally, PCUE distributed flyers about Jersey City Parent Rights, the Special Education system, and SEOC membership. See some of the pictures below.

Please write a postcard to Dr. Epps and tell him that you care about Jersey City children having healthy schools. You can send your postcard to:

Dr. Epps

Jersey City Board Of Education
346 Claremont Avenue
Jersey City NJ, 07305

Pictures from PCUE Participation at Earth Day 2008

2008-04-22T18:39:00.000-07:00

PCUE Demonstrates at School Board Meeting

2008-04-20T09:28:00.001-07:00

Jersey City Parents and Communities Demand Healthy Schools

By PCUE member, Jennifer Fasulo
April, 19, 2008

Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE) the most exciting new development in Jersey City citizen action, pulled off an impressive demonstration on Thursday, April 17. About 60 parents, children and communities members showed up to the Jersey City School Board meeting, wearing stickers and carrying signs about their discontent with the city’s slow action on the toxic conditions in JC public schools. Signs in English and Spanish read: Get the Lead Out! Health and Safety Report Card Now! And “Clean water, Clean air, Better Education! Act Now, No more promises! See some of the beautiful photos below.

PCUE member Telissa Dowling addressed the school board during the open comment section and reiterated the group’s four-point proposal to improve health and safety conditions and ensure parent involvement and oversight. She also presented the board with a petition urging Superintendent Epps to adopt the four-point proposals that was signed by about 700 parents and JC residents, including parents from over 30 Jersey City Public Schools.

Even though the event was covered by the Jersey Journal, reporter Paul Koepp only wrote one sentence about our powerful protest. But we who were there know that the real action in the room was the wall of waving signs that filled the bleachers.

Many parents were appalled to learn that while Dr Epps drags his heels and delays taking concrete action to ensure the safety of Jersey City school children, his salary is being increased to the tune of $268,000!!!! As one parent pointed out, “How can he be earning this kind of money, while our children are suffering in the schools? It’s a disgrace!”

PCUE learned the strength of numbers on Thursday. We all felt good and strong taking a stand together. Now we must continue to press our demands until Dr. Epps, the school board and all JC officials know that PCUE means business!

It was great to participate in this action. Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen. Special thanks to New Jersey Action 21 for bringing so many people out from the Heights!

Pictures: Parents and children Demand Healthy Schools

2008-04-18T07:21:00.001-07:00

Pictures from PCUE Protest at the Board of Education Meeting on April 17, 2008

2008-04-18T07:12:00.001-07:00

Press Release:PARENTS TELL BOARD: TIME FOR ACTION ON UNSAFE WATER AND AIR IN CITY SCHOOLS

2008-04-11T14:23:00.000-07:00

Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE)

JC chapter of Statewide Education Organizing Committee (SEOC)

169-A Martin Luther King Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Telissa Dowling-201-209-1607

Loyda Goldston-973-204-4121

April 10,2008

PARENTS TELL BOARD: TIME FOR ACTION ON UNSAFE WATER AND AIR IN CITY SCHOOLS

On Thursday April 17, 2008, at the regular monthly meeting of the Jersey City Board of Education, Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE) will present over 600 signatures in support of its health and safety proposal to the members of the Board and Superintendent Dr. Charles Epps. This meeting will take place at school No. 11 on Bergen Ave. and Academy St. from 6 to 8pm. Groups of parents from all Jersey City public schools are among the people who have signed the petition. Concerns regarding school health and safety are common among parents as well as many teachers, school staff, and administrators. Recent revelations that high levels of lead were found by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in six Jersey City schools have sparked alarm because, to date, Jersey City Public Schools officials have not announced a timeline to test 39 remaining Jersey City school buildings.

Mrs. Edna William, a grandmother of two children in PS 34 said, “We are going to be at the BOE meeting to make a statement that we need immediate actions, not just promises.” She added, “School officials told us that they would issue report card and notify parents about testing the drinking water. But, as of yet, there are no specific commitments and no dates.”

Another parent, Zaida Oyola, with a child in school number 8, said, “Our children deserve the best. They need to get a great education as well as schools that are healthy. We are determined to safeguard our children’s well-being while they are at school.”

Problem affects thousands

During this academic year thousands of children in our public schools have been exposed to potential health and safety hazards due to unhealthy conditions in their schools. Mold problems caused the sudden shut-down of PS 15 for three weeks. In February, local media revealed high levels of lead in drinking water for six schools (11, 23, 31, 25, 6, 27, and 25), a health hazard that school officials were aware of for more than a year. There are 39 other school buildings that have not yet been tested for lead. Lead exposure in young children can impair children’s cognitive, social, and motor development.

Mold in pre-K trailer classrooms in school 16 is prompting school officials to consider moving students to PS 4, a move that would considerably overcrowd the school while forcing students to travel outside their neighborhood. Many Jersey City children suffer from asthma attacks triggered by their school environment.

PCUE's Proposal for Reform

PCUE has developed a proposal to address health and safety hazards in our public school and urges Dr. Epps and the Jersey City Board of Education to seriously consider and adopt the following four points:

Following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s communication guidelines, Jersey City District should immediately notify parents of its timeline for testing drinking water and let them know when the results will be available. It should also designate a contact person with the necessary authority to communicate with parents regarding lead issues and address their concerns.

Create a standing committee of the Board of Education that is exclusively responsible for health and environmental safety of our schools. Three parents should be a part of this committee.

Create an Indoor Air quality Team following EPA guidelines at the district level. This team should partly consist of parents.

Issue semi-annual health and safety report cards for each school to parents of children in Jersey City beginning in August 2008. The report card should be sent to parents via mail and posted on the District’s website.

A letter from PCUE Leaders to Dr. Epps

2008-04-07T15:18:00.000-07:00

Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE)

Jersey City chapter of Statewide Education Organizing Committee (SEOC)

March 17, 2008

Dear Dr. Epps,

We would like to thank you for meeting with our leadership team on March 11, 2008. At the meeting, we presented you with our proposal to create schools that are free from health and environmental hazards. In this letter, we would like to recap the outcome of our meeting with you.

Our proposal and your response were as follows:

1. Communicate to parents and the community the results for testing drinking water and the plans for correcting any identified problems:

We asked that as part of its agreement with US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the District provide full and clear information to parents about testing drinking water in schools. This communication would be based on EPA’s guideline of “3Ts” (Training, Testing, and Telling).

In response to our proposal, you stated that the EPA has issued a statement that the district is cooperating with EPA and that the testing of drinking water for all schools would be completed by the end of June. At the meeting we gave you the EPA’s guidelines, and from your statement we understand that your cooperation with EPA would include implementation of their guidelines.

2. Create a standing committee at the Board of Education that will be exclusively responsible for the health and safety of our schools:

We asked that the committee develop and create a comprehensive health and safety plan for our schools, monitor the implementation of the plan, and review the plan as needed. It would also oversee compliance with all NJ workplace and school health and safety laws. The committee would include three parents with voting rights.

You flatly rejected this proposal.

3. Create an Indoor Air Quality Team (IAQT) at the district level following Environmental Protection Agency’s suggested model:

The IAQ Team would include all interested parties including parents. This team would receive some training in air quality inspection. The team would plan and arrange walkthroughs for various schools, identify possible problems, and make recommendations to schools. A Health and Safety Coordinator would facilitate and coordinate the IAQ Team.

You said no to this proposal and added that your staff is already conducting indoor air quality inspections.

4. Establish and enforce the policy that parents have a right to know that the schools their children go to are free from health and environmental hazards:

We asked that Parents receive a regular health and safety report card for the schools their children go to, and it be posted on the district website. Additionally, it would be posted in a visible location in each school. Parents would receive immediate notification in case of any health hazards in their children’s school.

You agreed that you would issue a health and safety report card for each school to parents of children and would post them on the website. You did not give us a timeline as to how often and when the district would send out the first report card.

We want to take this opportunity to urge you to:

· Take the first step and immediately notify parents of children in JC public schools and the community of your timeline for a plan of action to test the drinking water in all schools and to correct any identified problems.

· Issue a school health and safety report card every six months beginning in August 2008.

· We would like to have a copy of the schedule for indoor air quality inspection that you reported your staff is conducting. We would like to see you notify parents about that.

· Reconsider your position in regard to Health and Safety Committee and an Indoor Air Quality Team, both of which include parent involvement.

We also would like to let you know that we were very disappointed to find out that no facility staff person came with you to the meeting although you knew we wanted to speak with you about the Facility Department and the health and safety of our schools.

We hope to receive your written response to our letter by the end of March 2008 so that there is no delay in ensuring the utmost safety of our children.

Sincerely,

EPA's Communication Guidelines with Parents About Testing Drinking Water in Schools

2008-04-06T11:59:00.000-07:00

As part of its agreement with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the JC school district has to provide full and clear information to parents about testing drinking water in schools. This communication is based on EPA’s guideline of “3Ts” (Training, Testing, and Telling).

The following communication ideas are listed in EPA’s booklet, 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools.

The results and the plans for correcting any identified problems will be immediately communicated to parents and the community.

Parents will be notified how they can obtain detailed information about each school.

When corrective plans are being implemented, regular progress report will be available to parents and the community.

If lead is identified in any school, parents, particularly parents of children age 6 or younger, will be directed to seek blood-lead level testing.

Parents will be notified about the dangers of lead exposure.

Parents will be assisted to increase awareness about lead exposure.

One person will be designated to contact parents and be available to answer questions or address concerns expressed by parents.

This information will be posted on the district’s website, communicated to parents through letters, and through media both in Spanish and English.

PRESS RELEASE: Parents Urge Epps to Address Unsafe School Conditions

2008-04-02T13:46:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release Contacts: Telissa Dowling 201-724-1408

March 18, 2008 Loyda Goldston 973-204-4121

Parents Urge Epps to Address Unsafe School Conditions

On Tuesday March 11, 2008, 14 leaders from Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE) met with Jersey City school district Superintendent Dr. Charles Epps to express their concern for children’s health while at school and urged him to adopt PCUE’s four-point proposal to make JC schools healthy and free from environmental hazards.

PCUE’s Four-Point Proposal

Follow EPA’s communication guidelines and notify parents and the community about the results for testing drinking water in all JC schools and the plans for correcting any identified problems.
Create a standing committee at the BOE that will be exclusively responsible for the health and safety of our schools.
Create an Indoor Air Quality Team (IAQT) at the district level following Environmental Protection Agency’s suggested model.
Establish and enforce the policy that parents have a right to know that the schools their children go to are free from health and environmental hazards.

Daniel Aguilar a parent of two children in school number 25 and 31, both of which have unhealthy levels of lead in their drinking water stated that “Dr. Epps told us that he would follow EPA’s communication guidelines with parents and the community about testing the drinking water in schools. I find that very encouraging, professional, and a sign of willingness to fix the problem. But, I would like him to notify parents and the community what is his timeline for testing and remedying any identified lead problems before the end of this school year.” Mr. Aguilar added “According to the press, the district was told by EPA, in September 2006, about high level of lead in drinking water in my children’s schools. Then, parents were not properly and timely informed. Now, I hope, as Dr. Epps said at the meeting, he would let us know what the district is planning to do – and when.”

Louella McFadden, a great grand parent of a child in school 38, said “I was happy to see that Dr. Epps met with us, but I was dismayed to see that he rejected our proposal to create a health and safety committee and Indoor Air Quality Team, both of which would include parents.”

Another parent, Loyda Goldston with three children in school 34 said “Dr. Epps agreed with our proposal to issue health and safety report cards for each school. PCUE wants to see this report card go to parents every six months starting in August 2008. There should be no delay when it comes to the health and well-being of our children”

Problem affects thousands

In Jersey City, a total 29,288 students (12.5% of Jersey City population), 2,900 teachers, and many other school staff spend an important part of their day in public schools across the city. During this academic year alone, for example, thousands of children in our public schools had unpleasant experiences because of unhealthy conditions in their schools. Mold problems caused the sudden shut-down of PS 15 for three weeks. The latest example was the high levels of lead in drinking water for six schools (11, 23, 31, 25, 6, 27, and 25), a health hazard that school officials were aware of for more than a year. Concerns regarding school health and safety are common among parents. This concern is shared by many teachers, school staff, and administrators.

Call for A Day of Awareness and Action

On April 28, National Day of Healthy Schools, PCUE will join many other cities across the state and the country in community events to educate the public about the urgency of assuring safe water and air conditions in schools and to urge public school officials to improve health and environmental safety of our schools.

PCUE leaders were among parents who successfully got the Board of Education to televise their monthly committee meetings in 2006. PCUE is a grassroots organization of parents, grand parents, and concerned members of the community that is a chapter of the Statewide Education Organizing Committee of NJ.

A CALL TO ACTION: Create Healthy Schools for Jersey City Children

2008-03-29T09:54:00.000-07:00

Parents and Communities United for Education (PCUE)

Jersey City chapter of the Statewide Education Organizing Committee – SEOC

A CALL TO ACTION: Create Healthy Schools for Jersey City Children!

Creating healthy schools must be a top priority for our public school system in Jersey City. A healthy school not only contributes to the comfort, health, and well-being of students but also allows students to perform better academically.

Yet, during this academic year, thousands of children in our public schools had unpleasant experiences because of unhealthy conditions in their schools. Mold problems, for example, caused the sudden shut-down of PS 15 for three weeks. The latest example was the high level of lead in drinking water for six schools (11, 23, 31, 25, 6, 27, and 25), a health hazard that school officials were aware of for more than a year. Concerns regarding school health and safety are common among parents. This concern is shared by many teachers, school staff, and administrators.

Creating an environment free of health hazards is particularly important for school buildings. A total 29,288 students (12.5%of Jersey City population), 2,900 teachers, many other school staff spend an important part of their day in public schools across the city. Children are more vulnerable than adults to health hazards. A typical school has four times more occupants than an office building of similar size. Many schools in Jersey City were built decades ago with little regard for high quality health and safety standards.

Maintaining a healthy and environmentally safe school is not any less important than teaching children. If public schools are accountable for academic performance they must be held equally accountable for safeguarding the well-being of our children by creating schools that are free from health and environmental hazards. A healthy school building will assist the school to accomplish its core mission-- educating children.

Parents' participation and involvement is indispensable to creating healthy and safe schools. Their voice must be heard and respected.

We call for the following steps to create healthy schools for our children:

1. Communicate to parents and the community the results for testing drinking water and the plans for correcting any identified problems:
As part of its agreement with US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the District will provide full and clear information to parents about testing drinking water in schools. This communication will be based on EPA's guideline of "3Ts" (Training,Testing, and Telling). The District will immediately notify parents of its timeline to test drinking water in all schools and correct any identified problems.

2. Create a standing committee at the BOE that will be exclusively responsible for the health and safety of our schools:
The committee will develop and create a comprehensive health and safety plan for our schools, monitor the implementation of the plan, and review the plan as needed. It will also oversee compliance with all NJ workplace and school health and safety laws. The committee will include three parents with voting rights.

3. Create an Indoor Air Quality Team (IAQT) at the district level following Environmental Protection Agency's suggested model:
The IAQ Team will include all interested parties including parents. This team is to receive some training in air quality inspection. The team will plan and arrange walkthroughs for various schools, identify possible problems, and make recommendations to schools. A Health and Safety Coordinator will facilitate and coordinate the IAQ Team.

4. Establish and enforce the policy that parents have a right to know that the schools their children go to are free from health and environmental hazards:
Parents will receive a regular health and safety report card for the schools their children go to, and it must be posted on district website. Additionally, it must be posted on a visible location in each school. The report card will be issued every six months beginning in August 08. Parents will receive immediate notification in case of any health hazards in their children's school.

JOIN US TO TAKE A STAND FOR HEALTHY AND SAFE SCHOOLS!

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