Students take part in 'sick out' at Northport MS over mysterious odors

A "sick out" was held at Northport Middle School Thursday, and parents say they organized the rally due to mysterious odors in the school.

News 12 Staff

Nov 7, 2019, 12:50 PM

Updated 1,624 days ago

Share:

A "sick out" was held at Northport Middle School Thursday, and parents say they organized the rally due to mysterious odors in the school.

As News 12 reported, students and parents have complained of a smell in a newly renovated area.

MORE:
Parents: Foul odors in Northport MS continue to make kids sick
'Sick out' planned in protest of foul stench at Northport Middle School
The children say it's making them ill. Teachers say something in the building has been making them sick for decades. School officials say it's due to a new HVAC system.

"We are here today because answers are required," says Lauren Handler, of Northport. "We are four decades now of parents complaining to our school board that our teachers and students are getting sick and we need answers and we need them now."

According to the school, indoor air quality inspections were done and no problems were found.

Protesters held pictures of sick children and of others who have died from rare forms of cancer. Parents say other students suffer from asthma, headaches and vomiting.

Bethany Watts says tests showed that her daughter had high levels of carbon monoxide in her blood that were equivalent to a two-pack-a-day smoker. Watts says since she transferred her daughter to another middle school in the district, her daughter's levels have gone back to normal.

The district superintendent said the Board of Education met Thursday night to discuss testing as well as develop a committee to review the matter.

 


More from News 12
1:30
Police: Car drives into Plainview dance studio; 3 suffer minor injuries

Police: Car drives into Plainview dance studio; 3 suffer minor injuries

2:03
Brightening skies and warmer temperatures heading into the weekend

Brightening skies and warmer temperatures heading into the weekend

1:50
Concern growing over homeless shelter near West Babylon day care

Concern growing over homeless shelter near West Babylon day care

2:00
John Theissen Children's Foundation opens Family Fun Center in Wantagh

John Theissen Children's Foundation opens Family Fun Center in Wantagh

0:13
Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

0:47
Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

0:42
Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

0:23
Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

1:55
8-year-old from Valley Stream becomes first in NY to undergo gene therapy for rare disease

8-year-old from Valley Stream becomes first in NY to undergo gene therapy for rare disease

2:27
2016 whistleblower tip warned of barrels buried at old Grumman property in Bethpage

2016 whistleblower tip warned of barrels buried at old Grumman property in Bethpage

0:25
Long Islander wins $1,000 a day for life from lotto ticket

Long Islander wins $1,000 a day for life from lotto ticket

1:34
Police: Drunk driver hits patrol car at scene of DWI crash; Suffolk officer hurt

Police: Drunk driver hits patrol car at scene of DWI crash; Suffolk officer hurt

0:44
NuHealth holds breast cancer screenings at Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

NuHealth holds breast cancer screenings at Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

1:09
The East End: Hamptons Handpoured

The East End: Hamptons Handpoured

1:52
Find fun, interactive activities for family and friends at Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington

Find fun, interactive activities for family and friends at Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington

0:37
North Babylon HS gives away dresses, suits ahead of prom season

North Babylon HS gives away dresses, suits ahead of prom season

0:22
Central Islip man sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping daughter

Central Islip man sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping daughter

1:45
Long Island pizzerias come together to raise funds for family of slain detective

Long Island pizzerias come together to raise funds for family of slain detective

0:30
Hempstead man pleads guilty, gets 8 years for drug trafficking

Hempstead man pleads guilty, gets 8 years for drug trafficking

0:19
Nassau Legislature approves 2 new outdoor fields for Mitchel Athletic Complex

Nassau Legislature approves 2 new outdoor fields for Mitchel Athletic Complex