Holley school district looks to establish Bed Bug protocol

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 21 March 2017 at 10:39 am

Holley votes to restart marching band

HOLLEY – Holley Board of Education members had their first reading of a new Bed Bug protocol for the district during their regular meeting Monday evening.

The Elementary School battled a bed bug issue in classrooms this winter and at the February meeting of the Board of Education, President Brenda Swanger requested a protocol be put in place.

The protocol includes the response for a bed bug found on a student in school or in a classroom; response for a bed bug infestation in a classroom or school; and how to keep beg bugs out of the classroom.

“A protocol gives us more latitude than a policy,” District Superintendent Robert D’Angelo told school board members.

Swanger said she is glad the district will have something in place regarding the issue.

Board member Melissa Ierlan, who serves as the Town of Clarendon’s code enforcement officer, said during a recent code class she attended, she learned that the problem of bed bugs is becoming more widespread in public places.

In other issues:

• In her report, Holley Elementary Principal Karri Schiavone said that with assessment testing starting next week, the school will send a letter home to parents this week emphasizing the importance of parents allowing their children to take the tests.

“We are hoping to get as many kids as we can,” Schiavone said.

She explained that the state has made many changes to the tests following last year’s survey which included parental input.  “It’s more like the assessments students used to take,” she said, and explained New York State has veered away somewhat from Common Core in preparing the tests.

“The tests have changed,” Schiavone said. The results, “don’t count against the student.” She explained that students will now have unlimited time and students with documented needs will be accommodated.

Schiavone said teachers and administrators utilize results from assessment testing to help them focus on areas where students need the most help.

• Under consensus approvals, Board of Education members approved the formation of a marching band for students in grades 7-12.

Elementary band director Hannah Bock told Orleans Hub the district had a combined marching band with Kendall Central School a few years ago, but there had been a lack of student interest in a marching band.

Middle School/ High School band director Zachary Busch said that has changed, and 25-30 students have expressed interest in forming a marching band.

Busch and Bock are hoping to have the band ready to march at the Memorial Day Parade in Holley as well as other local festivals such as the Strawberry Festival in Albion.

“We’ve been trying to get up a marching band” Bock said. “We hope that this time is the charm.”

They added that interested Kendall Central students will be welcome to join, once an agreement between the two districts can be reached.

• School Board members also approved a trip to the State Capitol in Albany for students in the 11th and 12th grade Humanities Class.

Students in the class attended Monday’s meeting and told board members the trip, scheduled for March 26th and 27th, will include a visit to the New York State Museum, the floor of the New York State Senate and meetings with Senator Robert Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

The students have prepared written statements regarding issues of interest to them, which they will discuss with local representatives.

Topics include improving opportunities for low-income families to access higher education; Common Core testing; and tuition-free college.

Students were invited to take the trip after meeting recently with Assemblyman Hawley’s Chief of Staff, Eileen Banker.

“It’s a great place to go and visit, especially at your age,” Board President Brenda Swanger said.

Board member John Heise said he supported the trip as did Board Vice-President Robin Silvis. Board members said students would find the experience inspiring.

“I can’t wait to have you share it with us,” Silvis said.

Return to top