News & Reminders
May 8, 2018
Can't You Just Flip A Switch?
It's that time of the year when the days are growing warmer, but the buildings have not yet switched over to air conditioning. Students often ask, "Can't you just press a button or flip a switch?" Actually, "No". Please see our Director of Facilities' explanation below.
The district has 21 large chiller plants and soon to be 23, some have two pipe systems and others have 4 pipe, which dictate how quickly a system can be switched from heating to cooling and back.
It takes a week if no issues arise to switch over that many systems with all the pumps, valves and controls involved in the operations. We do this twice per year with our controls specialist, our contracted chiller service, and a JCI ATC technician. To schedule such a team takes considerable coordination and we must do it months in advance to have all parties available.
When we first began adding centralized air conditioning to buildings, it was agreed to by the school board after considerable discussion to use May 15th and Oct 15th as the target dates for switching over. These were not just arbitrarily chosen, they were basically the industry standards at the time due to two pipe restrictions. We have been following this time line ever since and unfortunately weather does not always cooperate and remain seasonal.
Very basic but far from all inclusive.
- Heating systems need to be shut down to allow water to chill in the pipes, to avoid hot water damaging the inside of the chiller tube bundles. This takes several days.
- Cooling tower needs to be filled, chemically treated and put into service.
- Hot water pumps need to be shut down and chilled water pumps activated.
- All valves to divert systems need to be changed over.
- Control systems are activated to switch over to cooling and turn off heating.
This is only to start making the chilled water for the central systems. Every single field unit (a/c terminal fan coil, etc.) has their own controls and potential issues. And to simplify this you can imagine an average of one unit for every single room in the district to get a true understanding of how much is involved.
- In good years we get this done in a week, most years are not that good. That is why we begin the week before the 15th to try and have most issues resolved.
- Hope this is clear enough to understand. Not an easy process and far from turning a thermostat to a colder setting.
Rita's Night to Support 6th Grade Promotion Party (Tonight)
Giovanni's Night (Tomorrow)
Fun Fair Volunteers Still Needed (Friday)
Field Day Fun
Dear French Creek Parents/Guardians,
French Creek will have Field Day this year for all students (K-6) on Friday, June 1 (Rain date: Monday, June 4). Like last year, the Kindergarten PM students will have their Field Day in the morning with the Kindergarten AM students (more details to follow as we get closer to Field Day). In order for us to have a successful Field Day, we must have enough parent volunteers to help run stations and donate snacks and supplies. For most stations, I need at least 2-3 parent volunteers.
Click here for a link that will provide you with all the volunteer information that you need in order to make sure you are eligible to sign-up to volunteer at French Creek's Field Day. If you have any questions regarding any of this, please call the main office at 610-469-5104.
Please click here to sign-up to volunteer or donate items by Monday, May 21.
After signing up, you will receive a Field Day packet (which you'll receive 1 week prior to Field Day), which will give you information about everything you need to know. Please contact Becky Malcolm at beckymalcom28@aol.com with any additional questions you have in regard to signing up online. Thank you so much for your help and support in making the 2018 French Creek Field Day a success!
Sincerely,
Jeff Troyan
K-6 Health and Physical Education
French Creek Elementary
Becky Malcolm
Field Day Volunteer Coordinator