Safety Committee Minutes
September 13, 2011
Members in Attendance: Lori Aubrey, Michelle Gaydos, Kathy Dayotis, Nancy
Danahy, Maria DiNola, Scott Strainge, Tim Lena, Denise Horrocks, Jim Hughes, Nancy
Barcelos, Doug Rolph, Rosalyn Moriarty, Laura-Ann Byers, Mike Hogan, Sandy
Burroughs, George Stokinger, Jo-Ann Georgian
1. Members unanimously approved the June 7, 2011 meeting minutes.
2. Co-Curriculum Emergency Plan
Angelo Fantasia will circulate the plan via email for review. Acceptance of plan
to occur at December meeting. S. Strainge will post the plan on Share Point when
approved. It will have the capability to also be emailed to outside groups using our
facilities. Completion of this plan is a high priority.
3. Continuity of Operations Plan
The CDC will release its Technical Assistance Review on September 14th. Our
plans will then be put in place, including having a sub-committee to oversee.
4. Locks
Middle School and Atkinson are complete. High School is next. The budget
implications will be addressed at the Facilities meeting in October. M. DiNola raised
concerns about safety at the High School and encouraged the Safety and Facilities
Committees to move forward on their important initiative. L. Aubrey agreed with that
concern and asked that the Safety Committee advocate strongly for this initiative.
M. Gaydos motioned that L. Aubrey have a discussion with the Facilities chairperson that
the High School locks be considered as a budget priority by that committee. Nancy
Danahy seconded that motion. The committee unanimously approved the motion.
5. Community Updates
D. Horrocks reported that there are more cases of West Nile occurring as it is a
cyclical occurrence. Plaistow is continuing with their programs as are Danville and
Sandown. The state has had major cutbacks but it has not impacted Plaistow. Athletes
who are outdoors should be exercising personal caution by applying insect repellant and
dressing in long sleeves and pants. The concern will exist until mid-October.
September is Preparedness Month. It’s important that the Continuity of Operations Plan
be made a concrete, operational plan. The school funding for influenza protection in
schools has been delayed so it will not be occurring this year, but may happen next year.
Staff is encouraged to make use of the flu shot clinics and students should be encouraged
to get the shot.
Paula Amante will be replacing Ellen Zimmerman as the Lead Nurse for the district.
6. Building Updates
Middle School: M. Hogan reports that lock installation has been completed. Asphalt near
the PAC has been repaired. Two fire drills have been conducted. On Friday, two drills
will occur: PAC evacuation and a lockdown. The building Safety Committee will meet
next week. An off-site evacuation drill will be completed except for the final step, to send
students home.
T. Lena reports that trainings promoting wellness and bullying prevention occurred this
summer. Life of an Athlete was performed in conjunction with Sanborn. Students
realized that substance use diminishes performance on the field and learned more about
codes of conduct. Atkinson Academy and the High School staffs received Olveus
training.
The Behavioral Health Response Team (formerly the Crisis Team) will conduct tabletop
exercises this fall regarding psychological needs in traumatic situations. In addition,
suicide protocols and re-entry meeting procedures will be re-examined.
High School – M. DiNola reports that she provided a bullying workshop for Professional
Development for staff. Staff were sobered by the reality that 10% of our students at the
high school had suicide ideation and had a plan. Staff were appreciative that the time was
dedicated to this topic.
The first fire drill was conducted last Friday and all were out of the building in 3 minutes.
The 911 phone calling system has not been working properly. When an emergency
occurred and 911 was called, it registered as a call from the Middle School. The nurse at
the Middle School had to use her cell phone to call 911. This will be reported to John
Holland.
L. Byars said that by the end of the week, 8 classes for dual certification in CPR and
First Aid will be posted on MLP.
Sandown Central: D. Rolph reports that Central has 2 off-site evacuation sites:
Zorvino’s and St. Matthews. The nurse at Central, M. Hatton, will join the Safety
Committee. A fire drill will be conducted this week as will bus evacuation. Staff is
working to finalize lockdown procedures.
Sandown North: The ERT has had their first meeting and is reviewing all procedures
and assigned roles. A medical emergency occurred last week so a Stay in Your Room
drill was conducted. M. Sharpe is the nurse and will continue to be on the Safety
Committee. Bus evacuation occurred today. There will be no off-site practice as 2
complete drills were conducted in June.
Pollard: M. Gaydos is pleased that another camera was installed as individuals have been
on the roof at night. An added benefit is that the camera allows staff to more easily locate
someone who has been hurt. One afternoon fire drill was conducted with a morning one
to soon follow. The off-site evacuation at the fire department was done last spring.
Another Safe Routes to School (Walk to School/Walk to Work) is scheduled for October
as it was so well received last spring.
Atkinson Academy: K. Dayotis reports that a bus evacuation will occur Friday. Due to a
shortage of police officers in town, the off-site practice will be delayed at this time. An
afternoon fire drill was conducted with a morning one to follow. The district Wellness
Plan was distributed.
Danville: N. Barcelos reports that a fire drill was conducted and the building was
evacuated in 1 minute 35 seconds. Volunteers will be reminded to sign out when they
leave the building.
The new nurse is Lois Walters.
Bus evacuation will happen next week. The off-site was conducted in the spring and even
though they needed to follow Plan B, all went smoothly.
S. Burroughs from Primex told committee members that sixteen more claims since the
last meeting have been reported at a cost of $14,700. A significant claim occurred when
an individual missed sitting on the chair and fell to the floor. Sandy is willing to do office
ergonomics assessment for any office staff in the buildings.
Losses can now be designated by school. N. Danahy will work with Primex to create a
list of locations.
Questions/Concerns:
Is it time to replace some ladders? Principals should be informed of malfunctioning
ladders.
Send names of individuals to be added to the committee to Scott Strainge
Upcoming Safety meeting dates:
December 13, 2011
March 13, 2012
June 12, 2012