Support Operations Scoop

Division of Support Operations
Years of Service May 2013

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May Birthdays 2013

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April 30^th is Healthy Schools Day, a partnership campaign coordinated by the Healthy Schools Network and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  To commerate the day, Environmental & Conservation Services is standing together with public health organizations by highlighting this important health topic.

Asthma is a life-long disease that robs individuals of their ability to breathe. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) almost 10% of children under the age of 18 suffer from the effects of asthma. In children, boys are slightly more at risk than girls. For school-age children with the disease, four days of instructional time are lost on average each year due to the illness. In 2007 alone, asthma-related medical care, lost work days and lost school days exceeded 56 billion.

Asthma is also on the increase. From 2001 to 2009 the rate for African-American children grew by a whopping 50%.  In the general population, another 5 million were diagnosed with the disease during the same time period.

Although the causes for asthma are poorly understood, it can be managed successfully with a proper action plan and sound medical guidance. There are effective medications available and asthma triggers including second-hand smoke, mold and outdoor air pollution have been identified.

The School District has partnered with the American Lung Association through two very unique programs to help combat asthma. The Open Airways program provides medical guidance through our school centers and the Asthma-Friendly Schools program seeks to reduce or eliminate asthma triggers in District facilities.

As many of you may know Consuelo Avila- Ramsey, Industrial Hygienist has decided to leave the School District after 17 years of service. Her last day was April 2nd, 2013. Consuelo originally relocated from Elizabeth, NJ on December 01, 1995 and has been apart on the ECS group the entire time. She is looking forward to new challenges outside of the School District. The above picture is from her last luncheon together with the ECS group. She has done a great job for the District and will be truly missed by all.

New Chief of Support Operations

Please join us welcoming Tony Rivas as the new Chief of our Division of Support Operations.  Mr. Rivas comes with an extensive background including his role as president of Rivas Consultants, Director of Educational Facilities at W.G. Mills as well as over fifteen years as Director of Facilities Design and Construction for Pinellas County Schools.  Mr. Rivas’ first day is Monday, May 6th.

As a Division, we all look forward to getting to know Mr. Rivas and continue our world class efforts to support student achievement.

SECOND ANNUAL U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GREEN RIBBON SCHOOLS ANNOUNCED; FIRST-EVER DISTRICT AWARDEES NAMED

Award Honors Schools and Districts for Reducing Environmental Impact and Costs; Improving Health; and Offering Environmental Education

 April 22, 2013

Chair of White House Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley and Acting Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Bob Persiacepe joined U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today to announce the second annual U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools award honorees.

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East Transportation drivers and attendants prepare buses to service students during FCAT testing.  The drivers and attendants havebeen in Transportation FCAT contingency mode since testing beganand are reporting to work thirty minutes prior to their normal duty time to ensure buses are prepared to dispatch on schedule.  The majority of the buses dispatch before 6:00a.m. daily to pick up students and service three schools during the run (High, Elementary, and Middle Schools).

East Transportation only services Exceptional NeedStudents and complete a daily pre/post-trip bus inspection ensuring wheelchair lifts are operational.  Transportation Services lift buses can transport up to five ambulatory students along with a number of other non-ambulatory Exceptional Needs Students.

Shop mechanics also make last minute repairs in the morning to assist the operations staff with buses and remain on call to service mechanical break downs.

Diana Tiffenberg is retiring from the School District of Palm Beach County after 27 years.  Diana started with the District Oct. 20, 1986.  We all gathered this morning, her last day April 15th, for a breakfast in her honor and to say goodbye.  She is leaving to a new job with a lot of worldwide travel.  She took a month’s vacation to try it out and loved it, so we are loosing another great employee to new and better opportunities.  We will miss her!