You may download the latest field test results (8-5-08) here.

STUDENT SCHEDULES 2008-2009

Student schedules are in the mail for 2008-2009. The current schedules may not reflect pending changes as a result of course conflicts or clerical adjustments. Students may resolve all scheduling issues with their counselors starting on Wednesday, August 27, 2008.

The scores from the NJ ASK 8 assessments have not yet arrived from the State. The results may impact upon scheduling for 2008-2009. Your counselor will alert you to possible changes.

Please note: Passwords for Power School are being reset for 2008-2009 and will be available at the start of the school year.

PRESS RELEASE
Board Reviews Current Status of Artificial Turf
July 23, 2008

The Northern Valley Board of Education on June 23, 2008 requested the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services allow normal use of our synthetic fields if the district provided routine environmental testing that would document the synthetic fields did not have high levels of lead dust. Yesterday the district received a response which was dated July 15, 2008 from James A. Brownlee, Assistant Commissioner, Division of Epidemiology, and Environmental & Occupational Health. He indicated that the department is maintaining the same guidelines despite the district’s offer of regular routine swipe tests at each field location.

The following represents the State’s guidelines: General Recommendations on the Use of Fields with Artificial Turf

At this time, CDC does not yet understand the potential risks associated with exposure to dust from worn artificial turf. The following precautions can be taken to minimize any potential risk.

• Field managers should consider implementing dust-suppression measures. Suggestions for dust-suppression methods can be found at NJDHSS’s website, which is provided in the additional information section.

• Children ages 6 and younger are most susceptible to lead’s harmful health effects. To protect the public, in particular young children, consider posting signs indicating that:

1. After playing on the field, individuals are encouraged to perform aggressive hand and body washing for at least 20 seconds using soap and warm water.

2. Clothes worn on the field should be taken off and turned inside out as soon as possible after using the field to avoid tracking contaminated dust to other places. In vehicles, people can sit on a large towel or blanket if it is not feasible to remove their clothes. These clothes, towels, and blankets should be washed
separately and shoes worn on the field should be kept outside of the home.

3. Eating while on the field or turf product is discouraged.

4. Avoid contaminating drinking containers with dust and fibers from the field. When not drinking, close them and keep them in a bag, cooler, or other covered
container on the side of the field.

Mr. Brownlee’s letter states:
“Regarding artificial turf fields with high lead levels, the NJDHSS is mainly concerned with potential lead exposure to children under the age of 7 years due to their increased susceptibility to lead exposure. This is mainly through repetitive exposure and frequent hand to mouth contact. As the high school student population is in their teenage years, childhood behaviors associated with an increased risk of lead exposures would typically be less for older populations, including high school students and adults. As stated in the NJDHSS’s guidance, publicly available at www.nj.gov/health, proper hygienic practices are recommended for all individuals using artificial turf fields with elevated lead concentrations.”

Mr. Brownlee indicated that the State of New Jersey is waiting guidance from the federal level regarding use of synthetic turf which includes the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission.

The Board of Education is aware of the inconvenience that is created by closing the fields. As an educational leader Northern Valley is well aware of the benefits athletic and co curricular activities provided for students and the sense of community that engages pride and support for public education. The Board has authorized additional swipe tests at both Old Tappan and Demarest fields, while continuing to discuss this issue with Fieldturf (the field manufacturer), the district’s environmental consultant, and the district’s attorney. Once the latest test results are reviewed by the District officials, they will be discussed by the Board of Education at a public meeting. The date of this meeting
will be announced on the district’s website as soon as it is scheduled. The Board is hopeful that a reasonable solution is possible as the District’s professionals,
administration, staff, and community acknowledges a difficult decision to reopen the fields based on health concerns and district resources.
For additional information contact Dr. Jan Furman, Superintendent of Schools at 201- 768-2200 or at furman@nvnet.org.

NVRHS SYNTHETIC TURF ATHLETIC FIELDS IMPORTANT UPDATE

7-10-08

6-23-08

Northern Valley Board of Education enjoyed two wonderful summer evening graduations at Demarest and Old Tappan this past Thursday and Friday. The next challenge is to secure information from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services to determine if the fields can be used for athletics.

The District has requested the State consider allowing normal use of the fields if the district provides routine testing that documents the fields do not have lead leeching from the synthetic turf. At the same time the district is planning a meeting with FieldTurf as early as tomorrow to determine the firm’s position on replacing the turf. The timeline represents the events that have placed the district in a difficult position to open the fields. Read More...

The district graduation will be held on the Athletic Fields at both High Schools. As a result of an appeal on Friday to Dr. Eddy Bresnitz, Deputy Commissioner/State Epidemiologist for Public Health Services; the district has confirmed that the fields may be used for non-athletic events such as graduation. The administration is delighted that we can continue in a tradition that began 5 years ago. This graduation on the athletic fields allows family and friends to attend a wonderful event in an open air atmosphere. Read the complete report here.

NVRHS SYNTHETIC TURF ATHLETIC FIELDS IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

June 13, 2008- UPDATE - PRESS RELEASE

Northern Valley Board of Education has completed two additional tests on their artificial surface athletic fields. Dr. Jan Furman received a verbal confirmation from the district’s environmental consultant this afternoon that the tests are negative.

The District should have a hard copy of the test results by Monday and will post them on the district website when they are received. The additional tests included the sand beneath the artificial surface and a test for dust residue on the surface of the field.

Dr. Furman indicated the administration and the Board of Education will have an opportunity to review the information while consulting with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services and the turf manufacturer. T

he District does not want to resume using the fields unless they are safe for everyone and the community understands and is comfortable with the State Guidelines. Read more here.

June 11, 2008 - UPDATE

Dear Members of the Northern Valley Community:

As you may have read in The Record article on Wednesday, June 11, 2008, the district's environmental consulting firm is performing two more tests at the two fields. One test is of the sand underneath the field to determine if lead has leached beneath the turf and the second test is on dust on the fields which was collected from shoes.

Results of these tests should be available by the end of the week. Results will be posted on the district website as soon as they become available.

During this period of time, concerns about our students’ health is understandable. Please find attached a Question and Answer Bulletin distributed by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services which you will find helpful. In addition to speaking to your child’s health care provider, there is also a link to a website which provides more information.

Sincerely,

Jan Furman, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools

June 9 Update

As you may have seen on the district website over the weekend, I have closed the turf fields as a result of tests that came back to the district late on Friday. The tests indicate that the lead levels on the green portion of the fields exceeds the "safe level." At this time, we have contacted personnel in the Department of Education who are specialists in this area and are waiting for a response from them. In addition, our environmental consultant has been notified, along with our insurance carrier. The district carries an environmental insurance policy and the fields are still under warranty. Although I anticipate some inconvenience, I do not see it will have a significant financial impact on the district because of both the warranty and the insurance policy.

The Principals and their Assistants, along with Bob Armstrong and Ray Jacobus are working on plans to relocate commencement exercises to grass fields on each campus. As more develops, I will keep you posted.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation as we encounter another challenge.

Sincerely,

Jan A. Furman
Superintendent of Schools

June 7, 2008

Northern Valley Demarest and Old Tappan FIELDturf Athletic Fields are temporarily closed based on recent testing for lead in compliance with the State's directive. The Department of Education notified all school districts on April 14, 2008 that the Department of Health and Senior Services identified high lead contents in certain types of artificial surfaces. District's were given a "heads up" to follow future notices to ensure the safety of their fields.

In April of 2008 the Department of Health and Senior Services, along with federal agencies, listed several incidence's of high lead contamination on artificial turf fields. The question and answer bulletin advised districts that testing would ensure whether or not our field(s) contained lead. See attached.

The DHSS bulletin from June 2008 updated school districts regarding the status of field contamination and indicated that this is a national issue that is being considered by both the Centers for Disease Control and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. See Attached.

In May the Northern Valley Regional High School District Board of Education authorized their environmental consultant, Environmental Remediation and Management, Inc., to take samples of the FIELDturf surface at each high school. The consultant used the standards of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Residential Direct Soil Cleanup Criteria and HUD Guidelines for taking samples. The results were above the standard of 400 mg/Kg as reported in the attached memorandum.

The district will work with all agencies and environmental professionals to determine the necessary remediation or clearance to resume the use of the fields. At this time, field use is temporarily suspended in order to protect students, staff and the community. We appreciate your cooperation and support while the district seeks to remedy the matter. Further updates will be provided as they become available.

Important Announcement

Dear Parents/Guardians:
During the current school year, as in previous years, Northern Valley Regional High School continues to upgrade the different forms of electronic communication available to our students. Our students increasingly have access to more sophisticated means of electronic communication via laptops, Blackberries, cell phones, etc. and are very skilled in using these technologies. They often send pictures, videos and voice as well as text messages.

The district has recently been advised by local law enforcement officials of the need to caution our students about this use. Specifically, certain photos or videos which may be taken by cell phone and transmitted that way, or over the Internet, can be considered trafficking in pornography, which is a very serious criminal offense. I am conveying this information to you at the request of our local law enforcement officials, suggesting you discuss this issue with your children so that a “teenage prank” does not turn into something much more difficult for both our students and their families to handle. The majority of cell phones used by students are owned by the parents. Any inappropriate action, may also implicate the owner of the phone.

In the coming weeks, additional communication about this matter will be sent to you directly from our building principals.

Sincerely,

Jan A. Furman
Superintendent of Schools