Healthy Schools Campaign

“We don’t do breakdown maintenance with humans:” IAQ Experts Hosting EPA Webinar February 26

We all know the adage about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure, and in the case of air quality in schools, it may be even more than that. Dave Blake and Rich Prill, two Indoor Environmental Quality experts based in the Pacific Northwest, focus on ensuring schools have the tools they need to put that idea into action by ensuring that schools are safe and sustainable, with air free of contaminants and irritants.

Students miss about 12.8 million school days annually because of asthma and asthma-related issues, adding another layer of importance to the already vital need for clean air and proper ventilation in schools.

Blake, of the Northwest Clean Air Agency over in Mt. Vernon, Wash., and Prill, a Building Science and IEQ Specialist based in Spokane, Wash., will be leading an “Indoor Air Quality Walkthrough” Webinar on February 26 at 1:30 p.m. EST, part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Tools for Schools” educational webinar series. Prill and Blake have visited more than 1,000 schools, investigating indoor environmental issues, doing workshops and skill training and have presented their walkthrough at the EPA’s Tools for Schools symposium.

“Kids are required to go to school for the most part, but schools aren’t required to do much in terms of the indoor environment,” Prill says of the importance of this work. “There’s not much in the way of school-appropriate standards or guidelines. Schools aren’t industrial workplaces.”

On a typical day, the team will take their instruments, including CO2 particle counters, light meters, moisture meters and temperature meters, and will tour a school and monitor air quality. What gets monitored gets controlled, and they loan equipment to schools for further monitoring if need be with the intent that schools will eventually get their own. When monitoring, they look to make sure a school meets standards in these five areas:

1. Dry
2. Clean
3. Comfortable
4. Pollutants are controlled (chemicals are stored, exhaust fans are working, locker rooms are ventilated, science and art activities are properly monitored, etc.)
5. Proper ventilation

Staff training comprises a major part of Blake and Prill’s program. “We don’t want people to think the worst,” he says. “We want to let them know we’re there for education and skills training and to talk about the building inside and out.”

He says he does not want staff members at a school to feel as though the program is designed to tell people how they fall short or to regulate them. Commending staff members on positive practices and reinforcing pride in their work is an important element, as is providing a wealth of resources to share with the staff. Transparency is important, too -- measurements are shared at the end of the day so that everyone is on the same page.

Prill says the program has been successful so far. The majority of schools they visit end up adopting some kind of indoor environmental program instead of just operating the school on breakdown maintenance, or only dealing with equipment when there is a serious issue. With the focus on education and tight budgets, facility maintenance can get put on the backburner, and with limited resources, facilities are often only dealt with when something goes wrong.

“We don’t do breakdown maintenance with humans,” he says. “You don’t want to wait for people to have problems, so you do prevention.”

He attributes the success of the program to helping teachers, school administrators and facilities teams understand their buildings, adopt some prevention policies and guidelines, and guide on-site assessment.

Prill says he recommends the webinar to anyone working or regularly in contact with a school, including parents, teachers, administrators, facility managers, building operators and head custodians.

“Everybody needs to be on board,” Prill says. “We see teachers bringing in chemicals, air fresheners, furry animals in the rooms, teachers that turn off the ventilation system.  We need everyone in a school community to be on board, especially with understanding asthma and sensitivities.”

He says it’s important for everyone to know the parameters and standards for good air quality in a school to protect student health and to be aware when something is not right, so it can be fixed right away. A united front and awareness are the keys to prevention, which not only has health and environmental advantages, but will also financially benefit tight school budgets in the long run, as fixing equipment or major ventilation problems will prove more costly in the end.

Learn more and register for this informative and practical webinar.

For those who cannot attend the webinar, Prill and Blake have put together a DVD with more tools and walkthroughs for schools to use.

At Portland Public Schools, Green Cleaning is a Team Effort

Going green is nothing new to Portland Public Schools (PPS). The custodial team has been using green cleaning supplies for more than a decade after making the switch in 2001, but the district, which serves more than 47,000 students, continues to make impressive strides. With the introduction of new materials, an adopted Process Cleaning program and most of all, a staff that works as a team and cleans for health rather than for shine, we were thrilled to announce PPS as the Silver winners of the 2012 Green Cleaning Award.

Every year, the Green Cleaning Award winners demonstrate best practices around green cleaning, galvanizing their school communities around the idea that all students, faculty and staff deserve a healthy place to learn and work. The annual award, presented by American School & University magazine, Healthy Schools Campaign and the Green Cleaning Network, recognizes schools with excellent and innovative programs on cleaning for health without harming the environment. Winners are judged based on the five simple steps to green cleaning outlined in HSC's Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools.

Portland had many challenges to face at the start of the year, as many districts do in these trying economic times. According to Director of Facilities Operations Thomas Adams, the district had to cut the number of custodial staff in half, meaning more work and more space to cover in less time. Adams and his team made cleaning for health their priority, and adopted the trademarked, standardized Process Cleaning for Healthy Schools method to increase productivity without compromising cleanliness or student health. They have incorporated certain items into the process, including a spray-and-wash vacuum cleaner for bathrooms, and microfiber, which Adams says has been a much better fit for a common task like window-cleaning than the traditional rag-and-water job.

But it’s more than about the process. It’s about the people. Adams said a cornerstone of his green cleaning program is the training and team building, and in particular cultivating the mindset of his custodial staff. Custodians are often the most underappreciated employees of a school system, and Adams has empowered his team to recognize and see the value in their work. And for good reason: as the people in charge of cleaning, they play an essential role in a healthy and successful school environment. He said employees see themselves as part of a team who care deeply about what they do. Cleaning the school is not merely seen as sanitation duty, but as customer service. And that attitude and sense of validation and commitment leads to better results, a healthier, greener school and a stronger team.

And for the team, the commitment to a healthy school doesn’t end with the clean-up. Adams said he and his staff are planning on rolling out an initiative to encourage more diligent handwashing throughout Portland Public Schools, including signs in the bathrooms and coordinating efforts with teachers and school nurses. 

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We at HSC congratulate Portland Public Schools on the well-deserved recognition of its achievements! Learn more about green cleaning with our Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools.

Congratulations to the 2012 Green Cleaning Award Winners!

The winning team from Howard County Public Schools, which earned a Grand Award.

Today we're thrilled to congratulate the Green Cleaning Award winners for 2012! In the school district category, winners were:

• Grand Award: Howard County (Md.) Public Schools
• Silver Award: Portland Public Schools, Portland, Ore.
• Honorable Mentions:
  • Catoosa County Schools, Ringgold, Ga.
  • Lower Merion (Pa.) Public Schools

Every year, the Green Cleaning Award winners demonstrate best practices around green cleaning, galvanizing their school communities around the idea that all students, faculty and staff deserve a healthy place to learn and work. 

This annual award, presented by American School & University magazine, Healthy Schools Campaign and the Green Cleaning Network, recognizes schools with excellent and innovative programs on cleaning for health without harming the environment. Winners are judged based on the five simple steps to green cleaning outlined in HSC's Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools.

Congratulations to all award winners from everyone here at HSC!

Plus: Ready to go green at your school? Check out HSC's updated Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools!

Help Make 2013 the Year of Green Cleaning!

Last year, we were thrilled to watch and support growth in our nationwide family of schools committed to green cleaning. Plus, momentum around this initiative was recognized at both the state and federal levels. So, let's make 2013 an even bigger year for green cleaning. 

Here are some ideas and tips for a green start to 2013: 

1) Check out our expanded, updated guide to green cleaning in schools. It's packed with ways (big and small) to move your school towards excellence in green cleaning. Read up, and get inspired!

2) Begin where you are. Do you need to gather your team to engage them in the idea of green cleaning? Or are you already on your way? Think about your progress, and then start envisioning next steps. We love the idea of using Post-It notes or a dry-erase board to create a "vision board" in a common area where all stakeholders can add their ideas.  

3) Try a green cleaning webinar. HSC's webinars are designed to help you learn best practices from leaders in the field nationwide. Additional webinars on green schools have been created by the U.S. Department of Education. They're archived and free to access. No plane ticket required!

4) Stay the course. Making change takes time and dedication. Remember the words of activist Margaret Mead, who said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Our five simple steps provide a basic roadmap to green your school's cleaning program.

5) Keep reading our blog's green cleaning posts. The months ahead will bring spotlights on more inspiring individuals taking steps to green their schools. We'll keep posting tips and ideas throughout the year. 

Best wishes from HSC for a greener 2013! 

Because Every Child Deserves Clean Air

As 2012 comes to a close, we are taking a moment to reflect on HSC's work this year and on the reasons we believe this effort is so important. Thank you for being part of this movement!

When children and teachers step into school each morning, the air they breathe and the materials they’re exposed to have a direct impact on their health—that day and years in the future. Unhealthy indoor air, polluted from toxic chemicals or materials or even the school’s location, can exacerbate asthma and contribute to problems such as headaches and fatigue that detract from learning. Healthy Schools Campaign advocates for clean air and healthy environments in schools, because we believe all children and teachers should be able to breathe easy in buildings that truly support their health.

 

Learn more and get involved in supporting environmental health at schools! For practical tips and comprehensive resources on green cleaning, check out HSC’s Quick + Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools. To hear stories from advocates and school leaders who are making green schools a priority, visit the green cleaning or environment sections of HSC’s blog.

 

Give the gift of clean air. You have the power to make sure every child and teacher can go to school in a safe, healthy building with clean air. Your tax-deductible gift supports Healthy Schools Campaign’s ongoing advocacy for green cleaning, indoor air quality, and environmental health in schools. This brings great benefits not only for kids’ health, but for their learning as well. Make a gift »

 

Going Green for the Health of Students and Staff

When Bill Thompson noticed the custodians at Lockport Township High School feeling sick when they stripped the wax off a tile floor, he knew something had to change. "I saw firsthand that some of the products my custodians were using were obviously affecting their health in a negative way," he said. "I decided it was my duty at least to investigate and see if there was a better way." Thompson attended an HSC workshop and picked up a copy of our Quick + Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools. Armed with knowledge and resources from the guide, he set about making change. Three years later, he said, "I can tell you with one hundred percent certainty that there is a better way." Today, Thompson implements a full green cleaning program at Lockport Township High School. Since the green cleaning program began, the school has seen a noticeable drop in student absenteeism and Thompson has seen savings in his cleaning budget. "It’s a process," he explained. "If you try to do a little bit every year, you can really make a difference."

 

Students miss more than 14 million school days each year because of asthma, which is often exacerbated by poor indoor air quality.
(Trends in asthma morbidity and mortality. Washington (DC): American Lung Association; 2010.)

 

At Healthy Schools Campaign, we work to ensure that all children have access to school environments that support their health and learning.To learn more, visit us online or contact us. Next week, we will share more about our impact. Thank you for being part of the movement for healthy schools.

Apply Now for the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Award Nomination in Illinois!

Update: The deadline for Illinois school applications has been extended to January 4. Apply now!

 

We're thrilled to spread the word about the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) recognition award, which recognizes schools for best practices in energy, water and waste management, healthy school environments and practices and environmental education.  Is your school working hard to be green? Apply by December 17 January 4 to be selected by Illinois as one of four state nominees and help inspire even more green schools.

It's especially exciting to see this program launch because HSC was part of the initial brainstorming surrounding the need for this award, and we're also going to be amongst the reviewers in Illinois. We recently spoke with Andrea Falken, director of the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools program. 

In addition to recognizing schools, Falken said the program coordinates federal agencies that share common goals. Plus, the application itself has galvanized schools to strive toward greener practices and encouraged them to reflect on their achievements.

"Schools weren't always hearing about resources from the Department of Education, Environmental Protection Agency, or Department of the Interior. . . and we had other agencies working on indoor air quality and reducing energy use. All of these agencies have a ton of programs, but they were disconnected. We launched this award along with our Green Strides Webinar Series, and we decided on 'three pillars' of achievement around green schools."

These pillars, Falken said, proved to be critical for bringing a uniform set of goals to the green schools movement: "Now you hear school leaders talking about which pillars they're meeting, and they're all on the same page."

The pillar areas are:

• Pillar I: Reduce environmental impact and costs;
• Pillar II: Improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff; and
• Pillar III: Provide effective environmental and sustainability literacy, incorporating STEM, civic skills, and green career pathways.

"The idea for it and the structure truly came from the public," Falken said. The department listened to community members and non-profit organizations such as HSC and worked together to create a plan that was feasible and inexpensive to implement but still highly effective at maximizing resources and creating change.

Falken said that, in addition, the award promotes equity. "We had schools winning that were disadvantaged, serving large numbers of free and reduced lunch eligible and other underserved communities. What that told us is that these good school health and sustainability practices and environmental education are being used as a springboard to promote equity and achievement. Learning about the environment can be used to get kids hooked on math, science, engineering."

In the end, she stresses, the award is not just about the honorees. "It's making new connections that are doing good things for schools. We're using existing federal resources and finding new ways to use them, and then helping more and more schools emulate the best practices of the honorees."

More:

• Learn about free webinars to help schools increase health, wellness and environmental education.
• Start the application for the Green Ribbon Schools award in Illinois.  For other states' schools, see the Department’s contact page to connect with your state education agency about the nomination process in your jurisdiction.
• Read highlights from the 2012 ED-GRS honorees.

HSC Releases Fourth Edition of Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools, Celebrates Impact of Green Clean Schools Movement

Today, we are releasing the fourth edition of our Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools!

HSC is pleased to announce the release of this updated edition of the highly-regarded guide and recognize the team whose support has made the impact of this guide and the related Green Clean Schools initiative so significant.

Since HSC launched the Green Clean Schools initiative in 2006, the movement for green cleaning in schools has grown significantly, with state-level legislation requiring green cleaning in schools, federal recognition of the importance of green cleaning, recognition from national education stakeholders, marketplace change and much more.

The fourth edition was developed with the support of 25 national education stakeholder organizations and 22 cleaning industry corporate sponsors following the distribution of nearly 125,000 copies of the popular previous editions.

“It’s incredible to see how much the movement for green cleaning in schools has grown since we launched the first guide in 2006,” said Rochelle Davis, executive editor of the guide and President and CEO of HSC. “We’ve seen huge strides in policy, in the marketplace and on the ground in schools as more and more leaders embrace cleaning for health while protecting the environment. We are proud to be part of making this change and are proud of the team that has come together to support it.”

Ten states now require green cleaning in schools and the federal government now recognizes green cleaning as a priority with programs such as Green Ribbon Schools and the recently-released EPA state school environmental health guidelines. The marketplace for green cleaning has also shifted, with industry leaders offering an ever-increasing range of effective and cost-comparable green options.

As more schools seek to go green, The Quick & Easy Guide offers an authoritative, easy-to-use resource for getting started or moving forward with a healthy, effective, affordable and environmentally responsible cleaning program.

The updated fourth edition, which includes practical advice for addressing today’s cleaning challenges, builds on the success of time-tested earlier editions. The guide outlines five steps for starting or enhancing a green cleaning program, such as using green products and equipment, adopting new cleaning procedures and involving all school stakeholders in the process. The guide also includes an enhanced purchasing directory with hundreds of products that meet HSC’s environmental standards for schools.

With the launch of this fourth edition, HSC is specially recognizing the sponsors who have supported the guide since its release in 2006:

• Green Team Leaders:  Ecolab; EnvirOx, LLC; ProTeam; SCA Tissue North America
• Green Team Members:  Georgia-Pacific  Professional; GOJO Industries, Inc.; PortionPac Chemical Corporation; Staples Advantage
• Green Team Supporters:  Betco Corporation; Rochester Midland Corporation; Spartan Chemical Company, Inc.;Unisource Worldwide, Inc.
• Green Team Affiliates:  Enviro-Solutions, Ltd.; Unger Enterprises, Inc.

Steve Ashkin, author of the guide and president of The Ashkin Group LLC, explained that the guide’s strength comes from the diverse coalition involved in its development and distribution.

“What sets the guide apart is the broad involvement it has garnered from both education leaders and corporate leaders in the cleaning industry,” said Ashkin. “The information is practical for schools and practical for the companies providing products to schools. It illustrates how green cleaning is a win-win for education and for industry, and how much sense it makes to take steps toward protecting health and our environment with a green cleaning program.”

To learn more and access the full guide, visit www.greencleanschools.org.

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Corporate Green Team Sponsors

Green Team Leaders

• Ecolab, Inc.  *
• EnvirOx, LLC  *
• P&G Professional
• ProTeam *
• SCA Tissue North America *

Green Team Members

• Georgia-Pacific Professional *
• GOJO Industries, Inc.  *
• PortionPac Chemical Corporation  *
• Staples Advantage *

 Green Team Supporters

• Betco Corporation  *
• Buckeye International, Inc.  
• Chase Products Co. 
• Multi-Clean, Inc.  
• Rochester Midland Corporation *
• Spartan Chemical Company, Inc. *
• Unisource Worldwide, Inc. *

Green Team Affiliates

• Anderson Chemical Company
• Enviro-Solutions, Ltd.  *
• National Chemical Laboratories, Inc.  
• Pro-Link, Inc.
• Sunburst Chemicals
• Unger Enterprises, Inc. *

* Indicates that this sponsor has supported the guide in each edition since its launch in 2006.

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Participating Organizations

• American Association of School Administrators
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
• American Federation of Teachers
• American School & University
• Association of School Business Officials International
• Children’s Environmental Health Network
• Coalition for Community Schools
• Council of Educational Facility Planners International
• International Brotherhood of Teamsters – Public Services Division
• International Executive Housekeepers Association
• ISSA, The Experts on Cleaning and Maintenance
• National Association of Charter School Authorizers
• National Association of Elementary School Principals
• National Association of School Nurses
• National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities
• National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education
• National Association of State Boards of Education
• National Education Association Health Information Network
• National Parent Teacher Association
• National School Plant Management Association
• Parents for Public Schools
• Public Education Network
• School Nutrition Association
• Service Employees International Union
• U.S. Green Building Council

Green Cleaning Matters

Tomorrow, HSC will launch the updated fourth edition of our Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools! The fourth edition, which includes practical advice for addressing today’s cleaning challenges, builds on the success of time-tested earlier editions and follows the distribution of nearly 125,000 copies of the guide!

Why are so many schools making the effort to green their cleaning programs?

The answer is simply that green cleaning matters for kids' health, for the health of teachers and staff who work in schools, and the health of our environment.

As we put together the updated fourth edition of the guide, we've been reflecting on the words of a few of the on-the-ground experts who have been involved in this initiative over the years.

Today, we're happy to share their perspectives on why green cleaning matters:

 

“I saw firsthand that some of the products my custodians were using were obviously affecting their health in a negative way. Who knows what it was doing to them, being exposed to these products day in and day out during their entire careers?

It finally occurred to me that the decisions I make concerning what cleaning products I purchase might negatively affect the custodians—along with the 4,000 students who go through my school’s doors every day. Having small children myself, I decided it was my duty at least to investigate and see if there was a better way.

After using this guide and starting a green cleaning program, I can tell you with 100 percent certainty that there is a better way.”
~ Bill Thompson, Director of Facilities Management, Lockport Township High School, Lockport, IL

 

“A little-known fact is that school employees have high rates of work-related asthma and other respiratory disorders. Many of these conditions are due in part to routine exposure to conventional cleaners. Green cleaning products and practices are designed to minimize troubling exposures and reduce respiratory problems among the workforce. Green cleaning is truly a winning strategy for promoting worker and occupant health.”
~ Darryl Alexander, Director of Health and Safety, American Federation of Teachers, Washington, DC

 

“We have saved money by testing and comparing multiple green cleaning products. All products and procedures we implement are required to meet our standards for efficacy, efficiency and renewability at a cost effective price. New procedures and methods have achieved material and labor savings as well.”
~ Pat Pizzo, Director, School Facilities and Operations, East Meadow School District, Long Island, NY

 

 

“A green cleaning program is critical to support the health and well-being of students, teachers and staff. For a school to achieve LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations + Maintenance certification, it must have a green cleaning policy in place. New buildings that achieve LEED for Schools certification should have green cleaning programs, too. After all, a building is only as green as the way it is operated and maintained.”
~ Rachel Gutter, Director of the Center for Green Schools, U.S. Green Building Council, Washington, DC

 

 

As more schools seek to go green, The Quick & Easy Guide is a practical, easy-to-use resource for getting started or moving forward with a healthy and environmentally responsible cleaning program.

You can learn more online at www.greencleanschools.org. Stay posted for the launch of the new edition of the guide!

Green Apple Day of Service: September 29th!

We're counting down the days until the first annual Green Apple Day of Service, run by our friends at the U.S. Green Building Council's Center for Green Schools. On September 29, thousands of volunteers across the country will be helping schools get greener and healthier. Projects include planting a garden, hosting a gathering to talk about making schools safer, organizing a green-themed scavenger hunt, and more. Some projects can be done in less than 60 minutes. 

Here's a short video on the importance of Green Apple's mission:

 

"We Learn Here and Where We Learn Matters" (:60 Spot) from Center for Green Schools on Vimeo.

We at HSC are excited that thousands of new volunteers, educators and students are set to become involved in advocating for healthier learning places. Learn more about projects in your area and sign up here.

 

Tomorrow, “Making the Financial Case for Green Cleaning” Concludes Green Cleaning Webinar Series

We’ve been happy to host the second annual Green Cleaning Webinar Series. These practical online seminars featured national leaders and on-the-ground experts on green cleaning in schools. Each webinar, offered free of charge, shared strategies to help you start or enhance a current green cleaning program.

On Wednesday, “Making the Financial Case for Green Cleaning” speakers will discuss the financial benefits of green cleaning and share strategies they have identified for saving in product and labor costs. Speakers will share their own stories of implementing cost-effective green cleaning programs.

Speakers include Andi Lee-Marnicio of Blackhawk Intermediate School, Mark Bishop of Healthy Schools Campaign, and Patrick Pizzo of East Meadow Union Free School District.

This webinar is sponsored by

Bonus: Missed one of our green cleaning webinars? Check out the archived sessions here.

Be sure to join the conversation on Twitter! Follow @healthyschools and use #greenclean2012 to send in your questions and comments during the session.

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Plus: Sign up for our green cleaning newsletter for the latest updates in the green cleaning industry.

Do you have an extraordinary green cleaning program? Apply for the Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities.

New Technology and Green Cleaning Webinar Tomorrow

We’re so excited to kick off our second annual Green Cleaning Webinar Series. These practical online seminars feature national leaders and on-the-ground experts on green cleaning in schools. Each webinar, offered free of charge, will offer strategies to help you start or enhance a current green cleaning program.

Tomorrow's webinar, "New Technology and Green Cleaning," will feature building engineers and content experts discussing the latest technology in green cleaning and review new products they are using in the schools they serve. In addition, speakers will discuss strategies for creating buy-in among cleaning staff for new green cleaning technology and building support for green cleaning programs throughout the school community.

Speakers include Steve Ashkin of Green Cleaning Network, Mervin Brewer of Salt Lake City School District, and Michael Smith of Western Washington University.

We're really excited about this webinar!

Be sure to join the conversation on Twitter, follow @healthyschools and use #greenclean2012 to send in your questions and comment during the session.

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Plus: Sign up for our green cleaning newsletter for the latest updates in the green cleaning industry. 

Do you have an extraordinary green cleaning program? Apply for the Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities.

Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities Webinar Tomorrow

We’re so excited to kick off our second annual Green Cleaning Webinar Series. These practical online seminars feature national leaders and on-the-ground experts on green cleaning in schools. Each webinar, offered free of charge, will offer strategies to help you start or enhance a current green cleaning program.

Last month, we launched our Green Cleaning Webinar Series with “Learn from the Leaders.” Tomorrow’s session, “Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities,” will focus on the what, why and how-to of the Green Cleaning Award for Schools and Universities. Presenters will highlight best practices and practical tips for easily completing the application and will provide background and history on the award. The goal of the webinar is to make it easy for schools and their partners to apply for the award. 

Speakers include Joe Agron of American School & University magazine, Steve Ashkin of Green Cleaning Network, and Mark Bishop of Healthy Schools Campaign.

This webinar is sponsored by

We are looking forward to another informative webinar!

Be sure to join the conversation on Twitter, follow @healthyschools and use #greenclean2012 to send in your questions and comment during the session.

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Plus: Sign up for our green cleaning newsletter for the latest updates in the green cleaning industry. 

Do you have an extraordinary green cleaning program? Apply for the Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities.

Green Cleaning and Infection Control Webinar Tomorrow

We’re so excited to kick off our second annual Green Cleaning Webinar Series. These practical online seminars feature national leaders and on-the-ground experts on green cleaning in schools. Each webinar, offered free of charge, will offer strategies to help you start or enhance a current green cleaning program.



Earlier this month, we kicked off our Green Cleaning Webinar Series with “Learn from the Leaders.” In the next session, “Green Cleaning and Infection Control,” building engineers and content experts will discuss strategies for controlling the spread of infections while maintaining healthy school environments. Tomorrow, speakers will discuss the challenges and solutions involved in making infection control a regular part of your green cleaning program.

Speakers include Mervin Brewer of Salt Lake City School District, Deborah Stafford of Green Chimneys School, and Mark Bishop of Healthy Schools Campaign.

We are looking forward to another informative webinar!

Be sure to join the conversation on Twitter, follow @healthyschools and use #greenclean2012 to send in your questions and comment during the session.

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Plus: Sign up for our green cleaning newsletter for the latest updates in the green cleaning industry.

Do you have an extraordinary green cleaning program? Apply for the Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities.

New Study Finds that the Silver Sprayed on Your Socks Ends Up in the Soil

by Ashley Hofmann, HSC public policy intern

Ashley Hofmann is completing the final practicum to earn her Masters of Social Work from the University of Missouri. Her academic research and passion focuses on disparities in access to healthcare and how policy can act as a catalyst for social justice. As a summer intern at HSC, Ashley is researching best-practices for student health and wellness and advocating for support of healthy foods in the 2012 Farm Bill.  

Did you know the ancient Greeks used silver pots to keep their drinking water clean and safe? While they may not have been aware of the spread of microscopic bacteria, they did recognize the important role silver plays in disease prevention.

That same strategy is now being applied (literally) to hundreds of everyday consumer goods. Silver nanoparticles, an emerging form of antibacterial protection, are being included in the production of items such as athletic wear, toothbrushes, and washing machines. But what happens when the nanoparticles are washed down the drain?  

THE STUDY ON SILVER

To find out, a group of researchers set up a test site in North Carolina. They added silver nanoparticles to the soil and water, then took samples over an 18-month period. The final analysis found that silver accumulated in plants growing in the soil, as well as in animals living in the water. This was even the case for plants that started growing six months after the silver was applied.  

Also of note in this study is how the nanoparticles changed over time. In samples from both the soil and water, over half of the silver reacted with sulfur to form silver sulfide (the chemical name for the tarnish on your silver jewelry).

This is one of the first long-term studies of its kind. It hasn’t been determined if the silver accumulation is good or bad for our health or the environment. Past research has shown that silver can be harmful to fish by causing reproductive problems, but more information is needed about how the high levels of silver affect other species and the ecosystem as a whole. 

USING SILVER IN SCHOOLS

Schools may be thinking about whether or not products that contain silver are an optimal choice for disinfecting their facilities. When it comes to controlling the spread of germs and bacteria in a sustainable manner, HSC encourages school administrators to follow three steps for healthy students:

1. prevent infection through hygiene education
2. develop a green cleaning program
3. disinfect only when necessary 

In the third step of disinfecting, HSC recommends using the least toxic product for the job, and while silver nanotechnology can be an appropriate disinfectant for some situations, there are a few things to consider. First, we believe more research needs to be performed on the long-term risks associated with increased silver concentrations in the environment before this new technology can be endorsed for all situations. Second, schools should try to purchase concentrated products over Ready-to-Use (RTU) formulas -- which silver disinfectant sprays tend to come in -- to minimize the environmental footprint of transportation and packaging in RTU products. And third, the cost of silver nanotechnology is still significantly higher than other methods, which may make them impractical for schools.

HSC looks forward to further research on the issues of silver nanoparticles in the hopes that we will be able to fully benefit from this new application of an old technology. Until then, we’ll focus our recommendations on promoting hygiene, good cleaning practices, and minimizing exposures to any disinfectant product.

The abstract of the study in North Carolina is available here. 

Learn from the Leaders of Green Cleaning Tomorrow

We’re so excited to kick off our second annual Green Cleaning Webinar Series. These practical online seminars feature national leaders and on-the-ground experts on green cleaning in schools. Each webinar, offered free of charge, will offer strategies to help you start or enhance a current green cleaning program.

Tomorrow marks this year’s first webinar in the series, Learn from the Leaders. In this session, winners of the most recent Green Cleaning Award for Schools and Universities will discuss the highlights of their programs and share tips and strategies for starting and sustaining a green cleaning program. A Q&A session will follow the webinar and will give participants the chance to interact with and learn from the Green Clean Award winners.

Speakers include Michael Jones of Columbia Public School District, Jeff Hawkins of Dixon Middle School and Jay Kahn of Central Michigan University.

We are grateful to have these insightful leaders participate in this session and look forward to sharing this exciting webinar with you!

We hope you’ll join us to learn from these leaders in green cleaning for schools!
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Do you have an extraordinary green cleaning program? Apply for the Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities.

Green Cleaning: Everyone Is a Winner

Last month, Steve Ashkin of The Ashkin Group (also known as the “Father of Green Cleaning") discussed the Green Cleaning Awards in American School & University magazine. In the article, he points out that assessment of the type involved in the award application is an essential part of improving any cleaning program. The award application process encourages schools to assess and reflect on their own programs. The process is twofold. Not only does it create collaboration and build buy-in from program managers and partners, but it also helps applicants track progress and define program objectives. Ashkin notes:

Beyond the history, it is important to assess what has taken place over the past school year. This includes:

• Procedures and strategies. This typically includes how disinfectants are used, strategies to encourage handwashing, timing of vacuuming or carpet cleaning, and other topics that focus on health protection.
• Training. This helps assess training for cleaning personnel, who attended, at what frequency and if anything was really accomplished.
• Innovations. This creates the opportunity to identify innovative strategies, products or equipment—or the lack thereof.
• Evaluation methods and results.This typically includes what is measured and how often, including reduced absenteeism, changes in test scores, etc., and what has been documented.

Another important part of an annual assessment is what efforts were made to engage others in the responsibility of green cleaning and maintaining a healthy facility. This assessment can be done by addressing the following topics:

• Policies or processes. This includes policies, training materials and communications pieces.
• Communications/Community engagement. This addresses efforts to engage the community such as meetings, discussions, posters and other efforts explaining the importance of green cleaning and what community members can do to make a difference.
• Recognition.Consideration of other awards and recognition can identify additional improvement opportunities and differing ways to think about and solve problems.

Presented in collaboration with American School & University magazine and the Green Cleaning Network, the Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities recognizes exemplary green cleaning programs in school facilities. 

The judging criteria for the award are based on the Five Simple Steps to Green Cleaning outlined in HSC's Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools. Award recipients will be spotlighted in the December issue of American School & University.

Don't miss the chance to highlight your school's green cleaning program! Applications must be received by Sept. 10, 2012. Learn more and apply here.

Plus: Be sure to check out our Green Cleaning Webinar Series to learn about best practices for your green cleaning program. The online conference begins July 17. On August 7, our Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities session will focus on the what, why and how-to of the Green Cleaning Award. Learn more here.

Announcing the 2012 Green Cleaning Webinar Series!

Healthy Schools Campaign is excited to announce our Green Cleaning Webinars this summer! The series of online seminars will feature national leaders and on-the-ground experts on creating and maintaining a green cleaning program for your schools. These helpful sessions are free of charge to all participants!

Learn about each webinar session below.

 

Learn from the Leaders
Tuesday, July 17 (1-2 p.m. Central)

Winners of the most recent Green Cleaning Award for Schools and Universities will discuss the highlights of their programs and share tips and strategies for starting and sustaining a green cleaning program. A question and answer session will follow the webinar and will give participants the chance to interact with and learn from the Green Clean Award winners.

 

Green Cleaning and Infection Control
Tuesday, July 31 (1-2 p.m. Central)

Building engineers and content experts will discuss strategies for controlling the spread of infections while maintaining healthy school environments. Speakers will discuss the challenges and solutions involved in making infection control a regular part of your green cleaning program.

 

Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities
Tuesday, August 7 (1-2 p.m. Central)
This webinar will focus on the what, why and how-to of the Green Cleaning Award for Schools and Universities. Presenters will highlight best practices and practical tips for easily completing the application and will provide background and history on the award. The goal of the webinar is to make it easy for schools and their partners to apply for the award.

 

New Technology and Green Cleaning
Wednesday, August 15 (1-2 p.m. Central)

Building engineers and content experts will discuss the latest technology in green cleaning and review new products they are using in the schools they serve. In addition, speakers will discuss strategies for creating buy-in among cleaning staff for new green cleaning technology and building support for green cleaning programs throughout the school community.

 

Making the Financial Case for Green Cleaning
Wednesday, August 29 (1-2 p.m. Central)

Speakers will discuss the financial benefits of green cleaning and share strategies they have identified for saving in product and labor costs. Speakers will share their own stories of implementing cost-effective green cleaning programs.

 

 

Plus: Be sure to check out HSC's Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools! Click here to learn more and order your free copy of the guide.

Green Ribbon Schools and You: A Healthy School Includes IAQ

By Tracy Enger, U.S. EPA IAQ Tools for Schools

You may know that your kids have healthy food options at school, but do you know how healthy the air is that they breathe? Ensuring a healthy school environment involves more than just nutritious lunches, gym class and recycling programs. Indoor air quality (IAQ) and a proactive IAQ management program are critical to children’s health, wellbeing and productivity.

The U.S. Department of Education’s new Green Ribbon Schools initiative gives green and healthy schools the recognition that they deserve. Green Ribbon Schools is the first federal recognition program to showcase schools from across the country that save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable learning spaces, and protect the health of their students and staff.

To be considered a Green Ribbon School, schools must be taking specific actions to ensure a green and healthy environment. We at EPA are proud that the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance is prominently featured as a recommended resource for improving the health and performance of students and staff, and can be used to meet “Pillar Two” of the Green Ribbon Schools application.

The IAQ Tools for Schools guidance is widely used throughout the country and provides school districts with the framework and tools to create and maintain an integrated IAQ management program. Implementing the low- to no-cost solutions in IAQ Tools for Schools guidance can have a measurable and profound impact on the health, productivity and attendance rate of our teachers and students.

In fact, 11 Green Ribbon Schools winners are previous IAQ Tools for Schools National Award winners as well!

To learn more on how to create a green and healthy school by proactively managing indoor air quality, I invite you to participate in the U.S. Department of Education’s first Green Strides Webinar: Discover Why Good IAQ is Essential for Green and Healthy Schools on Thursday, June 21, 2012, from 1 – 2 p.m. EDT.  

During this webinar, Omaha Public Schools, NE and Montgomery County Public Schools, MD ─ both Green Ribbon Schools and IAQ Tools for Schools National Award winners ─ will discuss why IAQ is an essential component of their school environmental health management programs. These two school districts will also share specifically how IAQ Tools for Schools guidance helped them create a comprehensive and effective IAQ management plan.

With so much happening in the green and healthy schools movement, I encourage you to sign up for this free webinar and learn how IAQ Tools for Schools can help you create healthier learning environments and become a 2013 Green Ribbon Schools awardee.

Calling All Green Clean Schools! Announcing the 2012 Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities

Does your school have a successful green cleaning program? Now you can spotlight this great work with the 2012 Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities!

This award, presented in collaboration with American School & University magazine and the Green Cleaning Network, recognizes the efforts of schools around the nation with outstanding green cleaning programs. Through national recognition, it honors schools and their partners that embrace green principles and practices in their maintenance operations.

The judging criteria for the award are based on the Five Simple Steps to Green Cleaning outlined in HSC's Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools.

Winners will be profiled in a special supplement in the December issue of American School & University.

You can learn more or download an application here. Applications must be received by September 10, 2012.

Don't miss this opportunity to spotlight your school's green cleaning program!

Plus: Check out great stories about past winners of this prestigious award in the Green Clean Schools section of HSC's blog! You can also hear from past winners in HSC's Green Cleaning Webinars.

Spotlight on Sustainability Advocate: Enviro-Solutions

We recently spoke with Enviro-Solutions, a leader in green cleaning and a sponsor of HSC’s Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools, about their new video contest. Vice president and general manager Mike Samchuk said, “Our belief is that having schools in the healthiest possible condition is the right thing to do.”

Enviro-Solutions provides resources to help school facilities convert to a green cleaning system. “We have the opportunity to provide every product that is certified green,” said the vice president. “We can convert all of [a school’s] cleaning chemicals to green certified products and give them a healthier school environment.”

Providing environmentally-friendly products provides an intrinsic value for Samchuk and Enviro-Solutions employees. 

“It’s a wholesome feeling. You feel good like you’ve done something wonderful,” he said. “People come back to us and tell us that since we started using your products, I don't have headaches.” 

He adds, “it's the right thing to do for the health and safety of the users, occupants and visitors, and for the earth: to use products that can do the same job for the same price that are proven safe for people and the environment.”

Samchuk forecasts a new trend in efforts to maintain our environment. “Years ago it was green and green cleaning. Now we’re evolving to sustainability, we’re going to give the Earth to the next generation the way in which we found it. That’s not good enough,” he said. “The next movement will be restorability. We should be looking at restoration to get more forest, get more wetlands reducing pollution so the Earth can be in a better position. It will be a key initiative in engaging youth.”

We couldn’t agree more! 

For more information about Enviro-Solutions please visit their website. To learn more about their “Going Enviral” contest, please visit their Facebook page.