I am writing to provide on update on all the actions we have taken in the last few weeks since 30-35 kindergarteners developed a rash that appeared to be caused by some type of bug bite. We want to make sure that you are aware of all the aggressive steps we have taken to get to the bottom of this problem and keep your students safe and healthy.
Below is a summary of the steps we have taken toward three critical goals:
1. Minimize exposure to possible sources of the rash.
- Contacted San Mateo County Health department who advised that all affected students should see a health care professional
- Moved all kindergarten students and an after-school class to temporary classrooms on the other side of campus.
- Fenced off the entire area to provide a barrier between students and work being done by contractors.
2. Run tests to figure out what is causing the rash or bug bites:
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Installed monitoring boards in all classrooms and in the play structure area to detect possible bug infestations. | Results not in yet |
| San Mateo County Mosquito Abatement set CO2 traps to test for mosquitoes and gnats. | No mosquitoes or gnats detected. |
| Samples were taken from 4 different areas and 4 samples from each area in the classrooms and 8 samples from the bark fill (shallow and deep) on the playground and were sent to a lab for testing. | Results negative for Insects or insect parts. |
| Sent District tree specialist to look at trees and shrubs in playground. | No bug infestations detected. |
| Brought in Entomologist (insect specialist) from U.C. Davis. | Results not in yet. |
| Brought in a dog trained to sniff for bedbugs. | No bed bugs detected. |
| Placed rat trap houses in area. | Ongoing monitoring, none detected. |
| Attic area above classrooms inspected for rodents. | No rodents or rodent droppings detected. |
3. Remove and replace all materials that could possibly be the source of the rash, disinfect all hard surfaces.
- Boxed up all stuffed animals and other soft materials from 4 classrooms and transported to a thermal freeze dry chamber to kill any possible germs or bugs.
- Flooring removal in classrooms is in process; new flooring to be installed beginning Wednesday.
- Furniture to be disinfected and re-installed inside classroom when flooring is completed
- After flooring is installed and disinfection is completed, room contents will be brought back and reinstalled in classrooms with teacher supervision.
- Trees on campus and hillside will be thinned out.
- Bark from around play structure will be removed and entire play structure disinfected.
As you can tell from the summary above, we still do not know what caused the rash. Your students health and well-being is our top priority, and we are doing everything we can to solve this mystery. Once all test results are in, we will let you know the results.
In the meantime, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Phil Lind, Principal