LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — Schools are getting ready to open. Sullivan West has had a lot going on, from elevated lead in the water to COVID-19 protocol.

Don’t drink the water

The district reported that in a scheduled test for lead in the schools’ drinking water, elevated levels were found in water from 35 fixtures out of 180. In this case, “elevated” means higher than 15 mcg of lead per liter. “The majority of these 35 fixtures are bathroom sinks that had been shut off during the entire 2020-2021 school year,” wrote superintendent Stephen Walker in an August 19 letter to the distrcit.

Per recommendations from the state Department of Health, they posted signs at the affected fixtures, warning students not to drink from them. The fixtures will be re-tested, and any that still show lead levels over the limits will be remediated with, for example, filters.

The results of future testing can be seen at the district’s website, www.swcsd.org.

Free lunch for all

At the school board meeting on August 18, assistant superintendent Lorraine Poston told the board and onlookers that all meals—breakfast and lunch—are free to all students this school year. The district will still require the application for free and reduced-price lunch to be filled out and returned, for funding in future school years.

Staff changes

English teacher Roxanne Gouldner and speech pathologist Eileen Krom joined the staff. So did food service helper Megan Curry. Brandy Snedeker and Delphine Hoch will return as full-time teacher aides.

English teacher Patrick Miraglia will leave, as will teaching assistant Shannon Henke and teacher aides Angela Jamieson and Adam Waldman.

School’s open

Sullivan West schools will be open for all students, pre-K through grade 12, and students are expected to attend in person. Schools will observe their regular start and end times for the school day.

The elementary school schedule is 8:45 a.m. to 3:27 p.m. The middle and high school schedule is 7:35 a.m. to 2:22 p.m.

All courses, extracurricular activities and athletics will take place. Social distancing (at least three feet), will be observed when possible. Masks are required for all students, staff and visitors when indoors and while riding on the school bus.

Mask breaks will be provided throughout the school day and they will not be required when outdoors, eating or drinking.

“It is important to note,” the district wrote, “that, in a change from prior Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, students will not have to quarantine if exposed to a COVID-positive student within 3 to 6 feet, as long as the students involved were correctly wearing masks. This is a potentially significant change which should result in fewer students being required to quarantine if exposed to a COVID-positive student in school.”

Next meeting

A special meeting is scheduled for August 26 and the next board meeting is September 22.