Mount Pleasant 
Central School District
newsLINK  Superintendent Email
Dear Parents and the Community,

Yesterday afternoon, middle school parents received an email informing them that two wood rats were caught at Westlake Middle School. One was caught in a hallway and the other in the cafeteria. You may recall that two years ago, during construction on neighboring property, the Westlake campus experienced an increase in wood rat activity. The district addressed the issue and the problem has been under control as evidenced through reports from the Department of Health and the Department of Labor. Both agencies found the Westlake campus to be free from infestation. Yesterday, was the first occurrence in this school year of a documented wood rat sighting.  

The District's Response
Staff at Westlake middle school responded immediately to the situation. The second sighting occurred during the first lunch period and subsequent lunch periods were conducted in other locations to allow time for the cafeteria to be sanitized and safe for all.  In addition to the regular preventative visits from the exterminators, and outdoor and indoor traps, the custodial staff placed added traps in various locations.  Due to NYS school regulations, pesticides to control rodents may not be used.
Working collaboratively with Chartwell's, the district's food service provider, cafeteria inspection was held this morning and will occur again this afternoon to ensure sanitary conditions.  

Going Forward 
As always, the district continues to monitor its facilities for health, safety and security. The district staff remains vigilant in ensuring that food is stored safely and securely, kitchen areas and food service locations are sanitized, that traps are set and monitored, and that communication to parents is informative. The district has asked that outside doors remain closed for safety purposes as well as to keep critters that live in the neighboring woods out of the school building. In addition, we continue to address masonry and building conditions through the annual budget process to close any openings to the outside. 

As a district, we are appreciative of your cooperation as we continue to monitor this situation.  

Thank you.
Sincerely,
   
Sue

Dr. Susan Guiney
Superintendent of Schools
 
  
 
MPCSD Bell

Upcoming

March 7-11 Incoming K registration

March 9
Budget Overview and Non-Instructional Budget Presentation
7:30 p.m.
Westlake library

March 16
Instructional Budget Presentation
8 p.m.
Westlake library 
MPCSD News 
Thornwood, New York 10594

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