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:

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

For those of us in the Clifford Community who have not yet heard, yesterday was an extremely difficult day for all of us.

Tragically, Val, who works in day care, lost her husband Wednesday morning when his motorcycle was struck by a car that was being chased by police. It is very sad that someone who devotes her life to helping others would be struck by such a terrible event. Our thoughts and prayers are with Val and her family during this period of mourning. If you would like to support Val in her time of need, please contact Ruth Brosius at the Clifford Alliance for Resources and Emergency Support (CARES) at ruthbrosius@earthlink.net.

In addition, Vice Principal Torres lost her beloved dogs – Jordan and Bella – on Monday. Those of us who love animals and/or who have pets know how much joy they bring to the entire family – particularly young children.

Let’s hope for better days ahead.

– Phil Lind, Principal & Marilyn Ezrin, PTO Co-president

I try to anticipate where problems and concerns my arise and occasionally find myself blind-sided. Such was the case when 30 or so of our Kindergarten students, suddenly, came down with what appears to be insect bites. The problem was of such significance that we closed the kindergarten classrooms and brought in a professional property restoration company to make sure that all porous materials and free of insect infestation. It turns out that this company plans to take all of the material in the classroom to a facility in the East Bay that will “Freeze-dry” the contents and kill all bugs and eggs. Thus we will not have to use chemicals to eradicate the problem.

Thus far we have ruled out Bed Bugs as the culprit. We hired a company called Scenttek in Millbrae to bring in a dog who can detect bed bugs. All was negative in the classrooms, which in this case, is a good thing. We know that it is not bed bugs. I didn’t know that there were bed bug smelling dogs out there. At this point, we do not know what caused the recent outbreak. There are lots of suggestions about the source of the bites but nothing  that we can be certain about. What we do know is that since moving the students out of the classrooms and off of the kindergarten play structure,  there have been no new reports of bites.

In addition to the Dog searching for bed bugs, we also hired a Professor of Entomology from U.C. Davis to investigate what insects are around campus that could have caused the problem. He took numerous samples on adhesive paper and samples of the wood chips in the play structure area. The district also sent samples to an independent lab for analysis. We are waiting for results from these sources.

–Phil Lind, Principal

Yesterday Clifford got a visit from Curly.  He was a bed bug sniffing dog who luckily did not find any bed bugs.  The hunt for the culprit continues!

As for the kindergartners, they enjoyed Curly’s visit.  While doing a demonstration in one classroom, his handler hid a salt shaker with a bed bug in it.  Curly came in the room, smelled the bug and put his paw where it was hidden.  After Curly left the room, one little boy asked, “why do we need a dog to find salt in our room?”  Oh, the innocence of youth!  A bright story in the midst of it all.

Thank you to Curly for all of his hard work!

We are just halfway through September and the school year has been a little dramatic for us kindergarten parents. After rumors of chicken pox and bug infestations, it seems that bugs are the culprits. My daughter had the bites and honestly they weren’t any worse than a few mosquito bites. They were itchy, but went away quickly.

Don’t get me wrong,  I’m the first to cringe at the lice notices and am getting a little itchy just writing about bugs, but my daughter will be okay.  Her bites will heal and she has probably already forgotten about them.  What will take a little longer to get out of our memories are the chain link fences surrounding her classroom and the kinder play structure.  It will be hard to forget the stressed looks on the teachers faces as they are trying to help all of these little children adjust to strange rooms without all of the cute, familiar pictures on the walls.

I am thankful that our school administration took this issue seriously and are doing everything possible to insure our children’s safety while at school.  I appreciate the information that we have been given and I applaud the response.  What I hope is that everyone will remember to show the kindergarten teachers some extra love and appreciation.  They were just getting all of these little children settled into a routine when they lost their classrooms and have been moved around. They are all in a new space and teaching our children with the exceptional skill, patience and love that they have always been known for.

Soon the bugs will be gone and the fences will be down but our teachers will remain and lets remember what is important: to appreciate what they’ve done for all of the kindergarteners during this time.

Thank You Mrs. Overbey, Mrs. Strombom, Mrs. Edelstein and Mrs. Wilkerson!

– Lisa Chad

The Fall Come Out and Play night will be held on Friday Sept. 23 from 4-8pm (grades K-5). Do not miss out on this great family event! It is a chance to play tetherball with your children, watch their monkey bar skills and of course the ever popular dodge ball game.

Is there anything more exciting for a child than to play at school – but after school hours? It is also a great way to connect with friends and get acquainted with new ones. No need to worry about dinner, pizza and drinks will be sold. Come join us for a great casual night of fun.

Thank you to all the parents, family members, teachers and staff who attended our first PTO meeting of the school year. (See meeting minutes.) We are proud to say it was a huge success. The PTO is striving to create an organization built on a foundation of teamwork that enriches and enhances your child’s experience here at Clifford.

Some of the highlights from this week’s meeting:

• The approval of a new K-8 theater program to be run by the San Carlos Children’s Theater
• The introduction and explanation of the Clifford CARE program (Clifford Alliance for Resources and Emergency Support)
• The Fall Come Out and Play night will be on Sept. 23 from 4-8pm
• Information about the new Clifford Father’s Group and upcoming events and activities.

More information and the minutes from the meeting are now available online! If you enjoyed this meeting, grab a friend, teacher or even your spouse and join us again on October 12 at 7pm. Remember, children are always welcome.

– Marilyn & Alpa