Letter from the Superintendent Regarding Visitor Management System
Please read the important letter from the Superintendent regarding a new District Visitor Management System here (PDF)
Archive for Middle School News
Class of 2021 Turkey Bowl T-Shirt Fundraiser
The class of 2021 will be holding a turkey bowl t-shirt fundraiser. Support the tradition of Thanksgiving day football. All shirts $10. See the attached flyer. Shirts will be on sale during HS lunches.
Updated Message from the Superintendent regarding Rubberized Gymnasium Floors
August 20, 2019
Dear Clayton Community:
I am updating you in regards to the HS/MS Auxiliary Gymnasium mercury floor testing that was conducted this summer. In April of 2019, we tested the High School/Middle School Auxiliary Gym and found that the while the floor does contain traces of mercury, it is below the New Jersey State Department of Health action limit criteria. These results indicated that under normal operating conditions the mercury level does not pose short or long term health risks. As an additional precaution, it was recommended that a second air quality test be taken in the hot summer months with the ventilation system turned off for 8 hours. During this “worst case scenario” testing, the mercury vapor level did rise above the recommended limit.
We have now conducted two air quality tests. One under normal conditions and one under the “worst case scenario” conditions. I have received a recommendation from Epic Environmental that allows us to re-occupy the Auxiliary Gym with no restrictions. The Auxiliary Gym would only need to be closed if we were to have a malfunction of the ventilation system. In addition, it is recommended that semi-annual air sampling be performed. Based on this recommendation, I am authorizing the opening of the Auxiliary Gym along with the recommended semi-annual testing. The results of the testing are posted on our website.
As always, thank you for your support of Clayton Public School District.
Nick Koutsogiannis
Superintendent
Clayton Public Schools
(856)-881-8700
Additional Information:
Please visit the Board of Education page for all notices and information.
Updated Message Regarding Mercury in Gym Floors
April 25, 2019
Dear Clayton Community:
I would like to update you in regards to the gymnasium floor testing that was conducted in our school buildings. As I informed you in my previous letter, we took the proactive steps to test our rubberized gymnasium floors for mercury. Toward that end, we contracted with Epic Environmental Services to conduct the bulk core floor sample testing for the presence of mercury.
The initial core test for the Simmons Elementary School gymnasium found that the floors were non-mercury containing and that no further action was required. With this result in mind, I have authorized the re-opening of the Elementary School gymnasium effective immediately.
The core testing of the High School/Middle School auxiliary gymnasium found that the floor does contain mercury. Once I had received the core testing results, it was recommended and I authorized that an air quality test be conducted for the High School/Middle School auxiliary gymnasium during normal operating conditions. I received the air quality testing results, and I am pleased to inform you that they are below the New Jersey State Department of Health action limit criteria. However, it was recommended that a second air quality test be taken during the hot and humid summer months. This will give us results under worst-case conditions. I have authorized that the second air quality test be done and will wait for those results to determine any further action.
In light of this recommendation, the High School/Middle School auxiliary gymnasium will remain closed for the remainder of the school year. I feel this is the prudent and safe thing to do until we have the complete results from the second air quality test. Attached to this letter is a copy of the Mercury Air Sampling Summary from Epic Environmental. The final reports will be posted on our District website as soon as they become available.
As always, thank you for your support of Clayton Public School District.
Sincerely yours,
Nikolaos C. Koutsogiannis
Superintendent of Schools
Additional Information:
Please visit the Board of Education page for all notices and information.
Message from the Superintendent Regarding Gym Floors
4/4/2019
Dear Clayton Community:
I am writing to you to make you aware of recent rubberized floor issues in surrounding districts that are prompting us to test two of our rubberized gym floors. The issue is related to the installation process and the use of mercury. As a precaution, we have contracted with Epic Environmental to conduct testing of our High School/Middle School auxiliary gym floor and the gym floor at Simmons Elementary School.
The floors are being tested to see if mercury had been used during the installation process. Floors that contain mercury, under certain conditions, may emit vapors which can be hazardous. The use of mercury in the installation process was banned in 2000. The High School/Middle School auxiliary gym floor was installed in 2003, and the gym floor at the Elementary School was installed in 2015. In addition to testing the floors we will also be temporarily relocating all of our physical education classes from those areas. This also applies to all of our after-school activities. The areas will remain closed until we receive the test results. I feel this is a prudent step to take while we await the results of our testing. I will be sharing the testing results as soon as they become available as well as any additional precautionary measures that may need to be taken.
As always, Clayton Public School District is committed to providing a safe learning and work environment. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely yours,
Nikolaos C. Koutsogiannis
Superintendent of Schools
Additional Information:
Please visit the Board of Education page for all notices and information.
Guidance for NJ Schools: Evaluating Mercury in Synthetic Floors (PDF)