An elementary school in Montclair received a visit from the township’s health department. And the mayor warned about the diseases rodents spread amid complaints about mice running “rampant” during classes.
The health official’s visit to Watchung Elementary School comes during a rodent infestation that had parents and staff complaining about the creatures dropping their feces, gnawing at students’ tote bags and running in the open during class.
“A fourth grader had enough mouse droppings in his tote bag to fill a cupped hand,” Watchung School teacher Valerie E. Hampton told the school board on Monday. “My entire homeroom had their tote bags infiltrated by mice. On a daily basis, my classroom has been cleaned and sanitized due to mouse droppings.”
She added, “mice were running rampant in classrooms during instructional time. This is unsanitary.”
Health Department Visit
While the schools are responsible for their own pest management, the township’s health department responds to calls or complaints from residents, township spokesperson Matthew Amaral said.
“In this case, one of our Registered Environmental Health Specialists (REHS) did visit the school, met with key staff and assessed the situation,” Amaral said in a statement. “Our REHS plans to do a follow-up visit in two weeks, however the school does have a plan in place with their external pest management company and their buildings and grounds department.”
Interim Superintendent Damen Cooper, in an email to parents on Tuesday, outlined the district’s efforts to seal off pipes and passageways where mice have entered the building, clean and sanitize impacted areas and monitor for the rodents.
‘Deep Cleaning’
He promised a thorough cleaning scheduled for Wednesday night.
“The team will conduct a deep cleaning and sanitizing of all affected areas using a HEPA vacuum and sanitizer, following proper PPE procedures to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all staff and students,” Cooper said.
Alliance Pest Control Services, he added, will work over the weekend to monitor rodent activity and ensure “remediation measures” have worked.
Cooper also requested the following:
-Properly discard all food items. Store remaining food in sealed containers daily.
-Dispose of trash and food waste in designated trash receptacles, not in desks, bins, tote bags, closets, etc.
-Organize and declutter storage closets in classrooms for proper monitoring and reduction of rodent activity. (Art supplies, paper products could be food sources for mice)
-Report any signs of rodent activity immediately to the school administration.
Mayor on Mice
Mayor Renee Baskerville, in a statement, said she is in touch with the superintendent about the mice. Baskerville also warned of the dangers that mice – and their feces – pose.
“As a pediatrician, it is important to me to let all parents know that rodents, particularly mice carry various diseases and can pose serious health risks, especially to young children,” Baskerville said. “Some of these include Leptospirosis, Salmonella, Lymphocytic-Chorio Meningitis (LCM) Tularemia. These diseases may be transmitted by mice urine, saliva or bites or fecal droppings.”
Parents should check their students’ belonging for droppings, she said.
“I share this to make sure that all residents are working together to understand the serious nature of this mice infestation and how seriously we take this,” Baskerville said. “I applaud the Superintendent, BOE and school staff on how they are addressing this. The pest control professionals and school officials have a comprehensive extermination effort underway.”
Email reporter Matt Kadosh at matt@montclairlocal.news
Deja-vu all over again, as Yogi Berra said.
https://montclairlocal.news/2020/01/mice-problems-montclair-high-nj/