Hello WCS Parents and Friends:

For the past two weeks, my daughter came home nightly from school complaining of terrible headaches. She had extreme coughing and breathing problems, pain and swelling in her sinuses, a red puffy face and eyes, and difficulty focusing. She was blowing her nose constantly and sleep was difficult. She had developed a raging sinus infection, which we went to the doctor for twice in as many weeks. She was put on two regimens of heavy duty antibiotics and steroids, to help the swelling and pain, as well as her breathing.

At the most recent doctor visit, I was wondering with my child about why she had been so sick. She said, to the first of my knowledge, “well, the paint fumes were bothering me”. I questioned her thoroughly…what “paint fumes”? It was then and only then that I learned that WCS had been painting indoors at Sunset Middle and Elementary School. Painting INDOORS, during the winter, without ventilation, and with many children and staff surely susceptible to VOC fumes (no matter the strength), ammonia, and all the other chemicals used in paint products and their corresponding cleaning products. I was shocked to learn that this was, indeed, the case. My child has an extreme sensitivity to chemical and environmental causes, and I have no doubt this was a huge contributing cause of her illness. 

I subsequently put a question out to my child's school community, to ask if other parents had seen similar symptoms in their children. I RECEIVED OVER 40 RESPONSES from parents about other children suffering headaches, nausea, sleeplessness, listlessness, asthma, sinus infections and the like over those two weeks. Many had been to the school numerous times to pick up their sick children. Several had made complaints to the school or WCS about the painting. When I informed the school system, they communicated back to me that no other parents had made complaints.

No parent was notified beforehand that the school was going to be painted indoors over the course of several weeks. Parents were not given the opportunity to prepare, voice their concern, talk to the nurse or health officials or principals beforehand. 

I was surprised to hear that the policy of WCS is that painting is allowed, using zero VOC paint. The trouble is that all "zero VOC" paint still contains some measure of VOC's. And when tint/color is added to the paint, it is no longer a zero VOC product, because the tints themselves are high in VOC's. Add to it the extra additives of ammonia and glycol, and the indoor, unventilated environment, and you have a health disaster for our children.

I would like to see this policy of allowing painting during any school day to be terminated. In this day and age of allergies and sensitivities, it is unconscionable that this practice is allowed. I invite you, please, to sign the petition so that all of our kids can breathe easier.

I know we all love our kids, and I personally appreciate what a wonderful education, with wonderful teachers, my children are receiving at WCS. But this policy needs to be undone, for the safety of our kids. Thank you so much!