According to Maine Law LD 153, statewide testing for lead in all school water sources will occur by May 31, 2022 thanks to a federal grant. As with most schools in Maine constructed decades ago, pipes, solder, and brass fixtures can be a potential source of lead so any water used for drinking or cooking purposes will be sampled. Maine's drinking water threshold is no more than 4 parts per billion (ppb); whereas the federal threshold is 15 ppb. Any fixtures exceeding the Maine threshold for lead must be reported to the public within five (5) days of the findings.
As we currently undergo testing at our schools, we were not surprised to learn from a recent Press Herald article that approximately one-third of the Maine schools already tested have come back positive. Fortunately (ironic to see a positive outcome from the pandemic), all our school water fountains were closed the last two years and were only recently flushed and opened during the last six weeks. Any water sources above the threshold will immediately be removed from service, flushed for mitigation, and resampled to determine the source of the lead–fixtures versus pipes–to perform remediation.
This week we received the results for most of our schools with the exception of John F. Kennedy School (JFK) and Biddeford High School (BHS). We are relieved that our preliminary results are better than expected with 82% of our fixtures below the threshold and 18% (equivalent to eight out of 97 fixtures) taken out of service until remediation. The complete results are listed below and once we receive the JFK and BHS reports, we will notify families and staff and link them to the district website. Please review the Maine CDC Information Sheet and the EPA Flyer to learn steps to protect yourself in your home as well.
STUDENTS PreK-4
The Week of the Young Child, an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), is April 2-8, 2022. This week is designed to focus public attention on the needs of young children birth through age 8, and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. Celebrations to recognize the Week of the Young Child are planned throughout Maine and the entire country. Learn more at the MaineAEYC website or watch for more information in Principal newsletters.
STUDENTS GRADES 5-11
As parents and students map out their academic courses, unified arts, and school athletic and organized club selections for next year, we encourage families to spend some time learning about the numerous opportunities available within our public schools. We will continue to have smaller class sizes, allowing for increased personal attention, fostering cooperative learning, and addressing students’ social-emotional needs. Please reach out to your child’s Guidance Counselor and/or review the options available at your school.
Also included in this newsletter is an exciting youth leadership opportunity, PreK and Kindergarten Registration information and upcoming events, and additional access to free, rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests from the state and federal government.
Stay Well,
Jeremy Ray
Superintendent of Schools
