Sandra A. Trach strach@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us Principal Telephone (781) 861-2520 October 29, 2015 R/E: Evacuation of Estabrook School on October 29, 2015 Dear Estabrook Community, Thank you for your understanding and support today. First and foremost, your children were safe throughout today’s events. I cannot thank you enough for your understanding and support. Although today’s event was unexpected for all of us, it was handled swiftly, capably and collaboratively by public safety, the Superintendent of Schools, district officials and school staff. My letter is to inform you of what happened this morning that prompted my decision to evacuate the school, as well as the safety action that was taken, the safety study that ensued and the decision to hold school tomorrow on Friday, October 30, 2015. This morning on Thursday, October 29, 2015 at approximately 9:00 a.m., a loud noise that sounded like a “bang” was heard by several school staff, students and me. The school immediately called 911. After my rapid building inspection, I pulled the fire alarm to evacuate all students, staff and volunteers from Estabrook School. Students, staff and volunteers evacuated in a calm and orderly manner in less than two minutes. All students, staff and volunteers were immediately and fully accounted for. Since the sound was unknown to me, and safety officials needed time to inspect the school, I made the decision at 9:02 a.m. to move the evacuation locations further off the school grounds (to the end of the Estabrook driveway and down Robinson Road). I immediately contacted Dr. Czajkowski, Superintendent of Schools and Ms. Pilarski, Assistant Superintendent of Schools regarding the emergency and evacuation, and to request school buses to transport all students, staff and volunteers to Lexington High School immediately. The students were with their classroom teachers at all times throughout the evacuation process. While some students were upset by the unexpected news to evacuate farther than usual, they were well-supported and comforted by their teachers. The school staff and I were so impressed with how well your children followed directions. Please tell them again, how proud we are of them. Per district safety protocol, I remained at Estabrook School with public safety, town and district officials. Mr. LaBroad, Assistant Principal, the school nurse and administrative school staff went to Lexington High School’s Field House to set up a mobile school office. Simultaneously, the school buses met the students and staff at the end of the school driveway and Robinson Road, where they boarded the buses in an orderly and expeditious manner. The last bus left Robinson Road at approximately 9:45 a.m. When the students and staff arrived at Lexington High School’s Field House between 9:45-10:00 a.m., they were met by Laura Lasa, Principal of Lexington High School; Mr. LaBroad, Assistant Principal; Ms. Palm, School Nurse; and Ms. Carfagno, Administrative Assistant. Students were with their classroom teachers at all times, and they also had the support of the full staff. When the students reunified at the Lexington High School Field House, attendance was taken again, and 100% of students and staff were fully accounted for. Students remained with their classroom teachers, played games, ate snack and watched a movie. At approximately 10:50 a.m., I went to Lexington High School, where I met with staff and spoke to the student

Joseph Estabrook Elementary School 117 Grove Street

Lexington, Massachusetts 02420 http://lps.lexingtonma.org/estabrookes

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body. I told students that they were safe, and what a good job they did following directions. I also told them that their parents had been called, and that they would be going home safely. In coordination with Dr. Czajkowski, Superintendent of Schools, Ms. Pilarski, Assistant Superintendent of Schools and public safety officials, and out of an abundance of caution, I cancelled Lextended, All Town Band and parent/teacher conferences. This was to allow safety officials the proper time to inspect the school and assure safety for all. Lexington Public Schools’ Central Office assisted me in sending a rapid message to all parents by telephone and e-mail through the district’s automated systems. These automated systems call and e-mail your primary telephone and e-mail address. If you would like your primary telephone number and primary e-mail address changed, please send me an e-mail at strach@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us and our office will take care of it immediately. Estabrook School ran a “usual dismissal” process, but from Lexington High School. Since the day was always scheduled to be a half-school day, students were already familiar with their usual dismissal plan. METCO students were dismissal on their usual bus, but from Lexington High School. I worked closely with Ms. Nobles, METCO Director to ensure students either went to MELP as scheduled or home as planned. Boston students were provided lunch as needed. Students who were originally intended to be walkers, bicyclists or Lextended students, were placed in the car rider lines for pick up. I worked closely and carefully with Ms. Staffier, Lextended Director to ensure that all Lextended students got home safely. Dismissal was conducted carefully and thoroughly by district and school officials, faculty and staff, and with the presence of Lexington Police. All students were dismissed on time and without incident. Estabrook School’s building was thoroughly inspected for the source of the “bang” noise. An inspection of HVAC / electrical systems / equipment that might simulate these symptoms were inspected from the roof to the mechanical rooms in the basement. There was a total absence of distress or abnormal operation of all mechanical / electrical systems. This was confirmed by Town of Lexington Public Facilities staff who reviewed online building systems’ operation today from 8:00-10:00 a.m. who found no alarms or anomalies in mechanical / electrical operations. An independent inspection by NStar staff confirmed that gas lines and gas fired equipment were functioning normally with no evidence of any gas leaks. An inspection of building structure, including exterior / interior walls with particular focus on the administration offices / library area revealed no signs of distress or cracking or racked openings. This was confirmed by custodial staff who checked the operation of all exterior doors. After a brief but intensive investigation, DiNisco’s conclusion is that the loud noise and brief tremor (vibration) was most likely caused by “Bolt Banging Syndrome,” a condition more prevalent in newer buildings and usually during change of seasons. This condition occurs when bolted joints held in place by friction slip into bearing under load, which creates a loud and alarming noise. This is all part of the structural design intent, to allow structural components to expand and contract. The vibrating component results from a dimensional shift and its impact from beams to columns to the concrete foundation. This phenomenon does not pose any threat to building occupants. It is a random, localized event that can be alarming because of its unanticipated, sudden noise. Based upon the absence of visible distress or malfunction of building equipment or systems, and the likely explanation of Bolt Banging Syndrome, it has been determined that Estabrook School is safe to re-open tomorrow, Friday, October 30 for school as usual. Tonight, it would be helpful for you to say to your children that: “Estabrook School is safe and everyone is going to school tomorrow.” You can also say, “The school was always safe, but Mrs. Trach was being extra careful and decided to evacuate the school.” Tomorrow morning, teachers will be eager to greet their students as usual. They plan to hold a morning meeting time with students to reinforce this same message, saying that although it was unexpected to evacuate school, the students did an excellent job and everyone was safe at all times. If you feel that your child needs extra support tomorrow, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher, school counselor / social worker or me. We are here and ready to help.

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Tomorrow morning, October 30 at 8:45 a.m., I invite parents to join me for a Principal Coffee at Estabrook School in the cafeteria. I would like to personally thank you for your help, and also answer any further questions you may have. Again, you have my greatest thanks for your support and understanding. I am grateful that everyone is safe, and that our school is safe as well. We look forward to seeing your children tomorrow morning for school. Most sincerely, Sandra A. Trach Principal