Methuen schools are tightening their food consumption rules and dealing with maintenance to tackle a troublesome mice infestation. As per a letter from Superintendent Brandi Kwong, obtained by WCVB, four schools have been identified to quickly implement strategies after increased rodent sightings. Methuen High School and Marsh, Tenney, and Timony grammar schools are the targets of new safety measures following both informal and formal city inspections.
Efforts to address these concerns have included sealing up entry points and underground openings, something Kwong said, "We take these issues very seriously and are committed to doing better." Moreover, the district is to also continually work with pest control experts on baiting and trapping to reduce the rodent population, as detailed by NBC Boston. This infestation has prompted not just a response in pest control but in altering where and how students and staff will consume food. Starting January next year, the district will require all students from kindergarten to eighth grade to eat solely in designated cafeterias, a strategy aimed squarely at containing food sources that might otherwise attract pests.
Changes have spilled over into building maintenance and cleanliness protocols as well. School officials are not to only meet regularly with the mayor and committee members but are also prioritizing staff needs to ensure progress. In a proactive move, the district has reached out to the state Department of Public Health for a comprehensive review of their schools, as reported by NBC Boston.
Both teachers and students will see significant changes in their daily routines; the school staff will soon be required to eat in designated staff areas, while personal appliances like microwaves and coffee makers will be removed from classrooms to further prevent attracting pests. Kwong assures that the steps taken thus far are beginning to show a positive impact in pest control. As shared by NBC Boston, "We are pleased to report that the measures implemented thus far are showing positive results with pest control." The emphasis remains on health and safety, with continued communication vowed as the district progresses with these measures.
