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The summer LEGO robotics camp will introduce girls to building and programming robots using Lego Mindstorms NXT.  During camp, girls will learn mechanical design, construction, programming, and team work skills.  They will work in small teams using LEGO blocks, motors and sensors.  After designing the robot, students will program their robot to move, react and make sounds in order to solve challenges.  Camp is open to girls currently in grades 6-11.  Click the following link for more information and registration form.  Email any questions you may have to mccowinh@bsd.k12.pa.us, menscha@bsd.k12.pa.us, or woodwardm@bsd.k12.pa.us.

To view an informational flyer about this camp, please click here.

Parent Update Letter from February 19, 2013

During the week of March 11, a restoration company installed a vapor barrier on the floors in the gymnasium storage rooms. The debris (rocks, dirt, etc...) on the floor was removed and new limestone was placed on top of the floor. A vapor barrier was then placed on top of the limestone and sealed around the edged onto the wall. Another layer of limestone was placed on top of the vapor barrier. This occurred after the school day on Monday and Tuesday evenings. The air quality tests for these areas can be found in the link below in addition to another classroom. The gymnasium was tested as well and the environmental engineer stated that he attributed the higher levels due to “higher results in the gym are from the activity” from the installation of the vapor barrier. There is an additional link below that will show you pictures of the work that was completed.

NW Air Quality Report 2-6-13
NW Air Quality Report 2-18-13
NW Air Quality Report #2 2-18-13
NW Air Quality Report 2-19-13
NW Air Quality Report #2 2-19-13
NW Air Quality Report 2-22-13
NW Air Quality Report 3-6-13

NW Air Quality Report 3-13-13

Over the past several weeks, the District also tested comfort parameters in four separate classrooms to analyze the levels of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, dust particulates, and temperature. The District will be testing a second grade classroom for these comfort parameters this week.  The following is a summary of these results. 

·        All of the results indicate that carbon dioxide and dust particulates were within recommended limits.   

·        The recorded carbon dioxide levels also indicate that an adequate amount of fresh outside air is being supplied to the classrooms because the carbon dioxide levels did not exceed the recommended range.  During the periods where the carbon dioxide levels approached the upper recommended limit, the temperature also increased.  When this occurred, the unit ventilators increased the amount of fresh outside air coming into the room and therefore, carbon dioxide levels began to decrease as well as room temperature.  These tests confirmed that the ventilation and heating system are functioning appropriately.

·        The dust particulate tests also indicate that the average dust levels in the building are below the standard for LEED buildings which is considered to be one of the most stringent standards. LEED is the recognized third-party standard for high performance schools that are healthy and comfortable for students and teachers. The range for the classrooms tested was .047-.048 mg/m³. The LEED standard is 0.05 mg/m³.

·        Additionally, there were no findings of carbon monoxide in any of the rooms that were tested.

The actual test results can be found in the links below.  Also, letter to parents was sent on March 21, 2013 that has more detail.  This letter can be found below.

Parent Update Letter from March 21, 2013

Dust Particulate Results from Room 406

Dust Particulate Results from Room 408

Dust Particulate Results from Room 112

Comfort Parameters from Room 408

Comfort Parameters from Room 302

Comfort Parameters from Room 112

Over the Easter break, the District worked diligently to permanently address the status of the storage room.  The results from the remediation effort over the Easter break were successful.  The storage areas were HEPA-vacuumed and concrete blocks were sealed with a mold inhibitor.  As of April 1 and 3, the results indicate dramatically reduced spore counts, particularly the Pen/Asp counts.  The total mold spore counts in the storage areas now range from 39-79 spores/^m3. The analytical results for the latest sampling can be found below as well as some pictures of the work that was completed in both the storage rooms and throughout the gymnasium.