Volunteer Opportunity!

The Solomon PCNC has a volunteer opportunity available for anyone looking to consistently volunteer in a specific classroom. The volunteer would need to be able to work Monday and Wednesday mornings from 8:00am to 9:45am. The only requirement necessary is that you must have completed Volunteer Orientation prior to starting. If anyone is interesed in fufilling this need at our school or if anyone has any further questions, please stop by P-1. We can also be reached by phone (808-624-9500 and ask to be transferred to P-1), as well as email (solomonpcnc@gmail.com). Thank you, everyone!

Parent Programs At ACS

Looking for a way to get out of the house and socialize with other parents? ACS (Army Community Services) has some great programs available for soliders and their families to attend! We thought we'd take a moment to highlight a few of these terrific (and FREE) programs being currently offered.

The Wahine Walk & Roll is a program for women held every Friday morning from 8:30-9:30am. The program meets at the track near Ralston Field (near Foote gate/the fire station) and provides women an opportunity to get in some exercise, meet new people, and engage in a little girl talk. If you are interested in attending or have any questions, contact Tina with the New Parent Support Program at 655-4ACS.

For parents looking to engage their children in a safe, structured, and social setting, the New Parent Support Program also offers bi-monthly play groups. These play groups are held every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 10:00am to 11-:00am at the ACS Building on Schofield (Bldg 2091 Kolekole Ave). Not only do the kids get to play, but moms and dads can also meet other parents and make new friends - a win-win situation for all! To register, contact (808)-655-4ACS.

New Box Tops Opportunity!

If anyone is looking for a simple way to earn 5 Box Tops for their child, then here is a deal for you! Visit BTFE.com/NewYearBonus and register your email address; as a thank you for becoming a New Member and receiving the Box Tops email, you will automatically be awared 5 Box Tops! Signing up is quick, it's free, it gives you access to exclusive coupons and free samples, AND you'll be the first to hear about additional chances to earn for our school. Don't wait too long, this offer ends January 22, 2014.

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2014, everyone! We hope all of our Solomon Ohana enjoyed a relaxing holiday break! Now that school is back in full-swing, we wanted to update everyone on current and upcoming events taking place within the Solomon community.

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION:

***Volunteer orientation is required of EVERY volunteer at Solomon***

Volunteer orientation is held every Monday in P-1 at 8:15 a.m. If you cannot make it to volunteer orientation, please let us know. We understand if it is due to daily work or school commitments, and we are more than happy to schedule a one-on-one orientation at a time that is convenient for both parties.

Please note - If you took the volunteer orientation last year, you do not have take it again this year. However you will need to update your paperwork with your current information for this year in order to be put on the list of approved volunteers for this year.

PAWS STORE:

The Paws store will be open on January 14, 21, and 28. If you would like to come volunteer at the Paws Store, please come in, as we can always use the help :) We need at least 2-3 volunteers from 9:30-10:00 and 4 volunteers from 11:40-1:05.

MLK JR DAY:

In observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, there will be no school on Monday, January 20.

UPCOMING FEBRUARY EVENTS:

Looking ahead to next month, the Solomon PTSO will be selling holiday grams for $1.00 apiece. Sales will begin on Monday, February 3 in P-1. For those unfamiliar with holiday grams, they are holiday-themed cut outs that can be decorated and sent to anyone within the school. When delivered, the gram will also include a small healthy snack for the recipient. All deliveries will be made on Friday, February 14. So stop on by and send a Valentine to your sweetheart!

The book fair that was scheduled to take place in February has unfortunately been cancelled. But don't worry, there will be another opportunity to grab some great reading material at the book fair in April! Keep your eyes peeled for more information in the future!

Additionally, Wednesday, February 12 will be our next Dominos fundraiser. Participation couldn't be easier - simply place an order with Dominos on Schofield and 10% of the ENTIRE day's sales will be generously given to the Solomon PTSO. What an easy (and delicious) way to help raise funds for a group that works very hard to provide fun activities for our student body!

As always, if you ever have any questions or concerns, you are more than welcome to bring them to us in P-1. Our hours are:
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri
(CLOSED on Wednesdays)

Our phone number is (808) 624-9500, just ask for room P-1. If we don't answer, leave a message and we will get back to you. Also, you can reach us via email at solomonpcnc@gmail.com

Testing for Lead in drinking water information sheet & The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act

Information Sheet: Testing for Lead in Drinking Water

BACKGROUND

The US Army Garrison, Hawaii (USAG-HI) is in compliance with existing Safe Drinking

Water Act regulations for testing for lead in drinking water. USAG-HI is participating in an Armywide

effort to ensure that our child development centers, youth centers, and schools are tested

specifically. Because these are facilities where sensitive populations – children age six years

old and under – could consume a significant amount of water, the Army wants to make sure the

drinking water at these facilities are protective of children’s health.

Exposure to lead, even at low levels, may cause developmental issues in children six

and under.

Lead is found throughout the environment in lead-based paint, air, soil, household

dust, food, certain types of pottery porcelain and pewter, and water. T

he primary source of lead

exposure for most children is lead-based paint in older homes, but since exposure can also

occur through drinking water, the U.S

. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that

schools and day care facilities test their drinking water for lead. If lead is found at any water

outlet at levels above 20 parts per billion (ppb), the EPA recommends taking action to reduce

the lead.

USAG-HI regularly conducts water sampling in accordance with Federal, State, and

Local standards. However, those standards do not require child development or youth centers

to be tested specifically. A recent Army-wide review of historical sampling data revealed that

many installations have incomplete information about water sampling that has been conducted

at child development and youth centers from 2001 to present.

In an abundance of caution, the Army is proactively performing drinking water sampling

at

all high-risk facilities that have incomplete information or no information available about prior

sampling. If lead in drinking water is found to be above the EPA recommended level at any of

the facilities/buildings tested, corrective actions will be determined and notifications will be given

to the parents of children using those facilities, as well as staff.

The Army Environmental Command and the U.S. Army Public Health Command

(USAPHC) assisted in the development of protocols that ensure the samples collected best

reflect conditions of the water consumed in these facilities and that sampling methods and

analysis were consistent.

This sampling effort will give the Army more detailed information about the current safety

of the drinking water at these facilities, improve the condition of any issues that are discovered,

and guide policy discussions regarding whether or not to develop additional testing policies and

administrative procedures.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q. Why is the Army sampling the water for lead now?

A. The Army is committed to providing a safe environment for Soldiers, Family

Members, and its civilian and contractor workforce. USAG-HI is in compliance with regulations

for testing for lead in drinking water. However, recent information highlighted the fact that,

although regular water sampling is being conducted at Army installations in accordance with

Federal, State, and Local standards, these standards do not require additional site-specific

testing at child development centers, youth centers and schools.

The Army wants to ensure it is protective of the children in its care. Therefore, additional

sampling is being performed for lead in drinking water at facilities where children age 6 years

old and under, who represent a sensitive population, could consume a significant amount of

drinking water.

This sampling effort will give the Army more detailed information about the status of the

drinking water at these facilities, facilitate the correction of any issues that are discovered, and

guide policy discussions regarding whether or not to develop additional testing standards.

Q. Why haven’t these facilities been tested previously?

A. The Army complies with regulations regarding sampling drinking water systems for

lead. Under those regulations, 90 percent of the drinking water supply sources tested need to

be below the action level to be protective of human health. While this regulation generally is

protective of human health, it does not specify the sampling of water faucets used for drinking

and food preparation at child development centers, youth centers and schools.

Q. What is the difference between testing a public water supply and testing at

schools?

A. The lead testing protocol used to test public water systems is aimed at identifying

system-wide problems. The protocol for testing water at child care centers and schools is

intended to gather data about water quality at specific sinks, faucets, drinking fountains and/or

taps (outlets) in those facilities. In order to obtain the different information needed for each type

of test, the protocols differ in fundamental ways.

When testing a public water system, a lead action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) is

established for 1 liter samples, which are taken at many locations throughout the public water

system at high-risk residences. The one liter "first draw" samples are collected at each location

after water sits unused and in contact with building plumbing material for six hours or more.

Results are analyzed for individual samples, and if more than 10 percent of all the samples

exceed 15 ppb, system-wide corrosion control treatment may be necessary.

EPA recommends that schools collect 250 mL “first-draw” samples from water fountains

and other outlets used for consumption after water sits unused and in contact with building

plumbing material for eight-18 hours. EPA recommends that the water fountains and/or outlets

be taken out of service if the lead level exceeds 20 ppb. Because it is unlikely that water outlets

are flushed adequately every day before being used by consumers, this method of testing gives

an accurate representation of the worst-possible lead level that might be present at any time

during the day at each outlet. That, combined with the much smaller sample size, is why the

EPA does not recommend taking action unless a higher level, 20 ppb, is detected.

Both the 15 ppb action level for public water supply testing and the EPA recommended

level of 20 ppb for testing at child care centers and schools are triggers for treatment and/or

correction, not levels at which negative health effects are expected to occur.

Q. Is this testing different than regular drinking water testing?

A. Yes, because this testing is being done at facilities where children are getting water

from drinking fountains and faucets. The Army asked its experts at the U.S. Army

Environmental Command and the U.S. Army Public Health Command to develop the sampling

protocols. This allowed them to develop sampling methods that resemble how children get their

water. This will make the samples better resemble the water these children consume.

Q. If lead is found in the drinking water does that mean the children in that facility

are at risk?

A. The Army complies with the regulatory guidance for the overall water distribution

system that is considered protective of human health and, if lead above the action level is found

in drinking water at these facilities, immediate measures will be taken to ensure the highest level

of protection for the children in the Army’s care.

EPA sets the recommended maximum level for lead in drinking water with a goal of

identifying and correcting issues before negative health effects are experienced. Exposure to

lead does pose a health risk, but whether or not an individual experiences any negative health

effects depends on many factors. If parents or guardians have any questions or concerns about

whether their children are experiencing negative health effects as a result of possible lead

exposure, they are encouraged to contact their child’s primary care provider. Generally, clinics

and pediatric providers follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for

lead screening and testing in children and infants. Providers also have the benefit of

considering information about the child’s medical history, current health, and potential for

exposure to other sources of lead when making medical decisions and recommendations.

Q. Is the Army sampling all of its child development centers, youth centers and

schools?

A. All Army installations will be testing for lead in their child development centers, youth

centers, and schools that have not been previously tested. Information from these sampling

actions will be used to give the Army more detailed information about the safety of the drinking

water at these facilities, facilitate the correction of any issues that are discovered, and guide

policy discussions regarding whether or not to develop additional policies and procedures.

Q. Will the Army develop a sampling standard for child development centers,

youth centers and schools on its installations?

A. This sampling effort will give the Army more detailed information about the safety of

the drinking water at these facilities, facilitate the correction of any issues that are discovered,

and guide policy discussions regarding whether or not to formally adopt additional testing

policies and administrative procedures.

Q. How does lead get into drinking water?

A. Measures taken during the last two decades have greatly reduced exposures to lead

in tap water. These measures include actions taken under the requirements of the 1986 and

1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Environmental Protection Agency’s

(EPA’s) Lead and Copper Rule, and the Department of Defense (DOD) Final Governing

Standards (FGS), as applicable.

Even so, lead can enter the water through contact with the plumbing that carries it, a

process called leaching. Lead leaches into water through corrosion – a dissolving or wearingaway

of metal caused by a chemical reaction between water and plumbing that contains lead.

Lead can leach into water from pipes, solder, fixtures and faucets (brass), and fittings. The

amount of lead in water also depends on factors such as the types and amounts of minerals in

the water, how long the water stays in the pipes, the amount of wear in the pipes, the water’s

acidity and its temperature.

Q. How do I know if tap water is contaminated with lead?

A. The only way to know whether tap water contains lead is to have it tested. You

cannot see, taste, or smell lead in drinking water.

Q. How do I learn more about the safety of drinking water?

A. The EPA and Army Regulation (AR) 200-1 require all community water systems to

prepare and deliver an annual consumer confidence report (CCR) for their customers by July 1

of each year.

The CCR summarizes information regarding the sources of water used (i.e., rivers,

lakes, reservoirs, or aquifers), any detected contaminants, and compliance and educational

information. You can find CCRs for USAG-HI water systems on the USAG-HI Sustainability

Website:

http://www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/sustainability/DrinkingWater.aspx.

Q. What are the health effects of lead?

A. High levels of lead in tap water can cause health effects if the lead in the water

enters the bloodstream and causes an elevated blood lead level. Most studies show exposure

to lead-contaminated water alone would not be likely to elevate blood lead levels in most adults,

even exposure to water with a lead content close to the EPA’s “action level.”

Risk will vary, however, depending upon the individual, the circumstances, and the

amount of water consumed. For example, infants who drink formula prepared with leadcontaminated

water may be at a higher risk because of the large volume of water they consume

relative to their body size. Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the

action level may experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children may show

deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years

may develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. (This is not a comprehensive list of the

potential health effects of lead exposure, but includes the most common effects.)

Q. What type of water sampling is currently performed on a regular basis?

A. Community water systems regularly conduct bacterial and chemical sampling,

including lead, to ensure they are in compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

Results showing exceedances during these samplings are included in the consumer confidence

report (CCR) each community water system is required to publish annually.

Q. If water sampling indicates an elevated level of lead in the water, what will be

done?

A. In the event sampling results indicate concentrations of lead that exceed the EPA

recommended level, appropriate corrective action will be determined and promptly

implemented. The steps required to correct such an issue will be determined on a case-by-case

basis in accordance with Federal, State, Local, Army or FGS requirements and will be

communicated to the water system’s consumers.

For additional information on lead, please visit these websites:

Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water (EPA):

http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/lead.cfm

Lead Home, Prevention Tips, Source of Lead, Water (Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention):

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips/water.htm

American Academy of Pediatrics, Policy on Lead Exposure in Children:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/116/4/1036.full

Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, Profile for Lead:

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/tp.asp?id=96&tid=22

For questions about this water sampling effort, please contact the Directorate of

Public Works, Environmental Division at 656-4701 or michelle.lyman@us.army.mil.

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act

Dear Faculty, Staff and Parents: The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires our school to notify the faculty, staff, and parents of the presence and status of asbestos containing materials in our school buildings. The law further requires a management plan based upon the findings of the initial inspection.
We completed the required six months surveillance on December 2, 2013 and will complete the next surveillance in May 2014.
During our schoolwide renovation project in 2008, asbestos-containing building materials had been professionally removed from public spaces per the scope of work. The results of the recently completed surveillance indicate there have been no changes in the condition of the asbestos containing materials in our school.

A copy of the inspection report and the Asbestos Management plan is available for your review in our office during normal school hours.

PTSO Movie Night and PCNC Book Fair

12/3-12/16  PCNC Book fair in P-1

Hours:

M, T, Th, Fr. **** 8:30-1:00

Wed. **** 8:30-12:00

12/6 PCNC Book fair family night 

from 5:00 -7:00 in P-1

12/6 PTSO movie night:  Dispicable Me 2 from 5:30 til it ends
 We will begin selling script for .50 each to make it easier for you to get your snacks and watch the movie :) Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after school in the front courtyard and near P-22.
There will be snacks available for purchase.
Chips & Cheese: 4 TICKETS, Hot Dogs: 3 TICKETS, Assorted Chips 1 TICKET, Water: 2 TICKETS, Drink packets: 1 TICKET.

Part time Help Wanted in P1

Hello out there in blog land! If you are located on Oahu and wanting to apply for a job. Well....here's an opportunity for you :) Perfect for someone with school age children and wanting a part time job.

Assistant PCNC at Solomon Elementary beginning as soon as possible. This is a DOE position so a background check and fingerprinting will be done when you are offered the position prior to beginning work. All applicants must have a high school dipolma or GED and be familiar with the military community, proficient in Microsoft Word and a happy people person and willing and able to do volunteer hours :)
This is a M-F paid for 3 hours a day HOWEVER....volunteer hours are necessary to actually do this job. While we can not require you to volunteer we do want you to know ahead of time that it is a necessary part of this job. If this position is something that you are interested in and would like to apply for please put in an application in at the front office at Solomon Elementary and then come into P1 and introduce yourself :) to us and let us know that you're interested.