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.

GreenBuild Conference Recap: Building a Green Future, School By School

By Mark Bishop

At the GreenBuild International Conference and Expo this fall, I had to pause and marvel. With nearly 30,000 attendees and 1,000 vendors, the energy was overwhelmingly infectious -- and after three days, I’m pretty sure we all felt galvanized to change the world, one building at a time.

The size and scope of the conference is like this every year but GreenBuild 2012 had a new focus: schools.  Tens of thousands of people, all gathered with the belief that if we want to impact climate change, improve education and create a better future for our children, it won’t happen without healthy and sustainable schools.

This focus drove the conference from the beginning, when the Director of the Center for Green Schools, Rachel Gutter, (disclaimer, I am a member of the executive committee) extolled the growth of the green school movement, and USGBC CEO Rick Fedrizzi highlighted the changes students themselves are making in their schools across the country, from participating in the national green school day of service, to the promotion of green policy at colleges and universities in every state.

The excitement around schools kept rolling with workshops, a press conference and a report on the impact of green building on educational outcomes.The message was clear: through green schools, we can save money, improve the environment and create school buildings that support health and learning.

It’s not all rosy, of course. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported in 1996 that schools needed $400 billion just to bring them up to basic building codes -- forget about green, we’re just talking basic health and safety. And because there has been no coordinated national effort to provide capital improvement dollars for our schools, no one believes that there is a positive trend here, especially given the GAO’s lack of authorization to do a follow-up report.

But inspiration matters. Unity around green schools from 30,000 architects and engineers? It adds up. It builds, you might say. We’re on our way, one school at a time.

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.

 

Speak Up for Healthy, Sustainable School Renovation in Illinois

Update! On April 25, this bill (SB 639) was passed by the House Education Committee and is expected to go to the full House in early May. Thanks to all the advocates who spoke up in support of this common-sense legislation! Now is the perfect time to encourage all members of the Illinois House to support this bill. If you have not already done so, we urge you to send a letter here.

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In Illinois, our average school is well over forty years old. Yet the current state school construction law only provides funding for “replacing aging schools,” not rehabilitating them. We know that when properly renovated and maintained, historic buildings can provide excellent learning environments that support student health and model sustainability in the community. 

Our schools need funding for rehabilitation -- not just new construction. Please join Healthy Schools Campaign, AIA-IL and Landmarks IL in speaking up for a sensible change to the law that would make rehabilitation funding a reality for Illinois schools.

Without this change, we will continue to lose centrally-located schools that could otherwise have been repaired. Demolition and new construction can cost more, create more environmental waste, and often result in the loss of a historic building that is a community asset. Many school districts facing this dilemma opt to build in new locations that require busing, which contributes to increased transportation costs and takes away the healthy option of walking or biking to school.

Student photo of school rehabilitation submitted in Through Your Lens photo contest

State Senators William Delgado (D-97, Chicago) and Pam Althoff (R-32, Crystal Lake) are sponsoring SB 639 to help encourage rehabilitation of aging school buildings. The bill will allow school districts to equally evaluate the option of renovating older school buildings rather than only considering replacement.

This bill does not require new or additional state funds. It merely allows school districts to consider rehabilitation as an option rather than only considering replacing an older school building.

Send a letter to your State Representative here.

The bill passed the State Senate and is now at the State House.  A hearing is scheduled for 9:00 a. m. on April 25. Please contact your state representative to support this bill.

Thank you for raising your voice for healthy and sustainable schools!

http://healthyschoolscampaign.org/getinvolved/action/SB639.php

Promoting Health and Learning with Green Schools: Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Speaks at the Green Schools National Conference

By Mark Bishop, vice president of policy and communications

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to attend the second annual Green Schools National Conference and speak about HSC’s work developing a guide to greening school food service. This conference offered a wonderful opportunity to connect with advocates from across the nation and learn about the wealth of new resources and exciting progress these advocates are bringing to schools. These connections invigorate our work and consistently reinforce my belief that the green schools movement is growing in breadth and bringing increasing value to schools and students across the nation. 

For me, the highlight of this conference was an excellent keynote speech by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. You can check out his full remarks online here. What stood out to me most about these remarks is how clearly Secretary Duncan, in his role as our nation’s education leader, articulated the connection between green schools and students’ learning. He said:  

In the past, skeptics of both green schools and the value of environmental literacy have claimed that reducing our ecological footprint and increasing understanding of the environment was somehow a zero-sum game.

The skeptics said, 'sure, those are nice-sounding goals.' But they warned that green schools would have to come at the expense of reading and math, of repairing broken-down schools, and offering arts and sports. I want to state unequivocally that the green schools movement is not a zero-sum game. It's really a win-win game. . . . 

When I was CEO in the Chicago schools, I saw first-hand how changes in school construction and renovation affected students' ability to learn. When children and teachers no longer had to go to school in stuffy buildings, in classrooms that were noisy and poorly lit, they felt they could do a better job of teaching and learning. Just as importantly, they felt we cared about them to create a better learning environment. In devastated and neglected inner-city neighborhoods, the symbolic impact of this work cannot be overstated.

It is no surprise that improving the quality of our school environments can have a powerful effect on productivity and student achievement. . . .

What was common sense in Chicago then still makes sense to me in Washington today: Healthier school environments and healthier habits of nutrition and exercise make for happier, healthier, more attentive, and more productive students. And that common sense notion is now being borne out by a growing body of academic research linking high-quality physical activity and nutrition to better student performance.

What also stood out to in these remarks is how Secretary Duncan brought many concepts that we talk about as “school wellness” -- healthy eating, opportunities for physical activity -- into his discussion of green schools. We know that student health goes hand-in-hand with environmental responsibility, and I am happy to see this connection growing stronger in our nation’s dialogue about green schools. 

Thanks to Secretary Duncan and to the organizers of the Green Schools Conference for their efforts to promote green, healthy learning environments that are good for students, good for school budgets and good for our earth.

Wellness, Sustainability and Learning at the Second Annual Green Schools National Conference

By Mark Bishop, HSC vice president of policy and communications

Next week, the HSC team is packing our bags and heading to Denver for the Green Schools National Conference. From February 27-29, sustainability and education supporters from across the country will come together at this second annual conference. 

The conference has more than 100 breakout sessions and panel discussions to share important information that shapes healthy school environments. Keynote speaker U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will discuss the development of the Green Ribbon Schools Award Program, an awards program recognizing schools that are creating healthy and sustainable learning environments and teaching environmental literacy. We recently shared our excitement about the vision for this program.

Healthy Schools Campaign joins more than 30 organizations in spreading the word about the event. During Wednesday’s breakout session "Greening Your School Food Service," I will share milestones in our work to promote green cleaning programs in schools. Additionally, I’ll discuss the development of our new healthy food service guide, a handbook to put sustainable practices in place. This work further demonstrates how integral a healthy school environment is to wellness and learning.

I anticipate that participants will take these shared ideas to amplify the green school movement from coast to coast.

To learn more about the Green Schools National Conference, visit www.greenschoolsnationalconference.org. 

Students Envisioning the Schools of the Future

By Mark Bishop, HSC vice president of policy and communications

At HSC, we love talking about students changing the future of school food. Each year at Cooking up Change, I’m just left speechless by the remarkable work of students engaged in creating healthy and great-tasting school lunches that meet real-life budgets and constraints. The winning meals these students create go on to be served in school cafeterias and influence the way school leaders (and our elected representatives) think about healthy eating in schools.

Each year I’m reminded: it’s true that students will change the world.

That’s why I was so honored last year to be at another competition that puts student creativity and vision front and center, one where students design the school of the future. In this competition, I saw students design a school that is green, healthy, and safe, one that promotes community and becomes an integral part of the learning experience.

So rather than inadequately describing the School of the Future Design Competition presented by our friends at the Council for Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI), I’ll invite you to see for yourself and check out the impressive results of the 2011 competition.

For 2012, registration is open so please take a look. CEFPI is looking for a few good students and mentors to take on the challenge. Do you have a vision for the school of the future? Do you know a student or a designer ready to help transform the future of school facilities? Consider being part of the 2012 School of the Future competition: 

The annual competition, open to middle school students, challenges student teams to design their schools to enhance learning, conserve resources, be environmentally responsive and engage the surrounding community. The multi-disciplinary solution requires students to follow a planning process from the concept phase to completion of the project, with thorough documentation. The students will present their project to a jury for review.

Words don’t really capture the energy of this competition or the experience of seeing students present their ideas, the pride they show and the creativity that will guide us to a new, greener and healthier future for school design.

Act Now to Bring the New Green Ribbon Schools Program to Your State

A new recognition program from the U.S. Department of Education will mean more schools across the country saving energy, more students learning how to make environmentally responsible choices, and more school leaders providing healthy food and opportunities to be active at school.

Modeled on the prestigious Blue Ribbon awards, Green Ribbon Schools is a new award program that will encourage schools and communities to promote healthy and sustainable environments and educate students to become environmentally literate citizens.

This is the first comprehensive green school initiative to come out of the Department of Education. It lays out a comprehensive vision for green and healthy schools, sets a high benchmark for success, and will significantly raise the profile of individual schools and the green school movement as a whole.

In order for schools in your state to be eligible for this award, your state’s department of education must agree to participate in the program by next Tuesday, Nov. 22. Please raise your voice and urge your state education leaders to be part of this program so that states in your school can receive recognition and incentives for green, healthy policies.

We encourage you to send a letter to your state’s education leader by November 22. Time is short; if your education leader doesn't begin the application process soon, it may not be possible to get nominations for this first year to the Department of Education in time. Click here to send a letter and tell your friends and colleagues. With your help, Green Ribbon Schools can help bring green, healthy practices to schools across the country.

Creating a Vision for the Green Ribbon Schools Program: Join the Effort!

by Mark Bishop, Vice President of Policy and Communications

Yesterday, Healthy Schools Campaign along with 15 other non-profit organizations and 10 representatives from four federal agencies met to create a framework for the new Green Ribbon Schools (GRS) program. It seems that a new day is dawning for green schools.

Last month, the Department of Education (ED) announced the establishment of a new awards program to recognize excellence in school environmental programs: Green Ribbon Schools. Kudos to the advocates at the US Green Building Council, National Wildlife Foundation, the Campaign for Environmental Literacy and the Earth Day Network for taking the lead on this.

So with the early legwork done, what is the Green Ribbon Schools program going to look like? Well, we’re not sure yet. . . but here’s what we do know:

• The Green Ribbon Schools program is modeled after the successful Blue Ribbon Schools program – ED’s award program for recognizing excellence in education. This program will most likely be similar in the sense that it will be a highly competitive program that is a partnership between state agencies and the federal government.
• The program will have three main areas: environmental education, energy efficiency and healthy environments. Under these three areas will be more specific categories of criteria, each of which will need to have some form of measurable metric.
• The goal is to finalize and release the criteria in the fall of 2011 and be ready to announce the first round of winning schools by Earth Day 2012 – an ambitious but achievable goal.

While nothing seems to be set in stone, there did emerge some common visions for the program. One was the desire for the Green Ribbon Schools program to be an aspirational program, one through which model healthy and sustainable schools could inspire advocates and school stakeholders to create creative solutions to current problems. Such a common definition could become a powerful force for change.

My hope is that we can create a program that is not only aspirational, but also recognizes health in a broad way. I’d want to not only include environmental education, good air quality, energy and water efficiency, but also talk about issues such as locally sourced healthy food, adequate outdoor space for play and educational programming. . .  and how about adequate numbers of school nurses to support environmental health?

Fortunately, I’m not alone in this work. Not only does the team include 15 passionate advocates and content experts from four federal agencies, but now ED is reaching out to a broader audience for engagement.

This Friday, May 20, 2011 at 2:00 pm EST, ED is hosting a webinar to outline their vision of a Green Ribbon School program and to seek input from interested partners. You are invited to join the discussion. I ask you to listen in and share your thoughts. Should we include food, outdoor space, school nurses? Should we have a narrow definition of green schools, or should we use this opportunity to expand our vision? Let ED know. Let us know. If you would like to join this conference call, let ED know by emailing green.ribbon.schools(at)ed.gov with your name and affiliation. They will provide you with additional information for the call.

We’re planning on staying engaged on this topic and hope you will join the effort. I look forward to seeing the first Green Ribbon School winners next spring.

Heroes for Healthy Schools Spotlight On: Principal Nicole Feinberg

Healthy Schools Campaign is pleased to announce Heroes for Healthy Schools: Coming together for
student wellness and achievement, a series celebrating Minority Health Month and focusing attention on programs and policies in Chicago that support student wellness and achievement. This exciting series is presented as a partnership of Healthy Schools Campaign, Chicago Public Schools Nutrition Support Services and the Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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Student at Passages School

Today's spotlight is on Nicole Feinberg, principal of Passages Charter School, a public school that focuses on meeting the needs of refugee and immigrant students as well as students from Chicago. Nicole and her colleagues focus on making wellness a priority for students at Passages, with recess every day and a number of health-promoting initiatives. Passages teachers took part in Fit to Learn and now the whole school is getting involved in Go for the Gold. Thanks to Nicole for sharing her perspective!

As a principal, Feinberg has faced some challenges in bringing health and wellness to each of her students.

“One of the biggest challenges is changing the mindset of people that healthy food has to be expensive. There are lots of inexpensive healthy foods. The challenge becomes sharing information on how to cook and use these foods, and secondly, finding a way to introduce new foods to students in a manner that they will like them,” said Feinberg.

As principal at a school serving many immigrant and refugee students, Feinberg sees the impact of health disparities but is still learning about all the issues involved.

“I think as a principal I am still in the process of learning the various issues that face minority students in terms of health. However, as I become better educated, I want to share what I've learned with our school community so that they can benefit from the knowledge,” said Feinberg.

Making wellness a priority is a team effort.

“I think one of the most valuable lessons I've learned as a principal is that you can accomplish anything if you collaborate with those around you and have a genuine passion for the cause,” said Feinberg.

Every Hero for Healthy Schools needs a personal health hero to look up to. Feinberg shares hers.

“My personal health heroes are my parents. They were first generation children of Greek parents who struggled with weight issues during their adolescence and young adulthood. Determined for my brother and I not to share the same fate, they made a conscious effort to promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle from a young age and it worked!” said Feinberg. “Now as a parent I understand the value of their efforts and want to mirror their lessons with my own children.”

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Plus! Read more about Passages' efforts to make health and wellness part of the school culture here. 

Heroes for Healthy Schools Week: Chef in the Classroom Day!

Today was day two of Heroes for Healthy Schools week, a series that HSC is presenting with Chicago Public Schools and the Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to highlight  the role everyone can play in ensuring that all children are able to succeed in school and live healthy lives. After getting the week of to an active start yesterday, we continued the energy today with Chef in the Classroom!

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At Mark Sheridan Math and Science Academy this morning, eager and excited third grade students in chef hats were “fist pumping for chefs in training” under the direction of their Chef in the Classroom representative, Chef Lovely.  Chef Lovely shared her recipe for chicken lettuce wraps and fruit kabobs with orange yogurt and granola. She dazzled the class with her jewel encrusted knife set while telling them about healthier ways to prepare their food.

“Sometimes you can use different flavors in your chicken instead of salt. We call them aromatics. Can you say aromatics?” said Chef Lovely. The class loudly repeated: “Aromatics!”

After teaching the students how to make her wraps and kabobs, which she explained are healthier for you than other desserts because they contain natural fruit sugars as opposed to refined ones, she sent the students back to their desks so they could taste-test the healthy treats.

Two of the peer health educators with the Office of Minority Health who traveled to Chicago this week to support Heroes for Healthy Schools  were on site to help Chef Lovely prepare the students’ taste portions.

Jackie, a sophomore from UCLA, is a nursing and pre-med major. She is excited to get out and start helping in schools this week.

“I’m learning a lot being in a different place,” said Jackie. “It’s different reading in your books and actually going somewhere and seeing first-hand.”

Callie, a junior from UNC, is majoring in health policy and management and got involved with the peer health educator program through a friend who knew she was interested in health.

“I’m looking forward to experiencing all of the events in a big city. Chapel Hill is small!” said Callie.

As the students tasted their snacks, positive exclamations could be heard from many students’ mouths.

“Mama mia! This is delicious!” said one student. “Can we have seconds?” said another.

One student even asked Chef Lovely a personal request.

“Can you come to my house and make me a fabulous meal?” he asked.

As Chef Lovely started wrapping up her presentation, she asked the students to give her one last thought about what they had learned today.

“On the count of three, tell me how your food tastes,” said Chef Lovely.

After a count of one, two, three, the students answered with a resounding, “Delicious!”

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After a morning in the classroom, chefs and the principals of the schools they visited all gathered for a special luncheon to talk about ways to stay connected and help their schools meet the high standards for nutrition education set by the HealthierUS School Challenge, the program that First Lady Michelle Obama is urging schools to take on.

Stay posted for more updates on Heroes for Healthy Schools!

Photo Credits: John McMullen Photography

Fit to Learn: Making an Immediate Impact

Teachers practice ways to integrate physical activity into classroom lessons at the second Fit to Learn training.

With HSC's Fit to Learn training well underway, we are beginning to see teachers put the training into practice in their own schools! Fit to Learn was developed to help train educators from Chicago Public Schools to bring nutrition, health and wellness into their curriculum and provide the skills to pass on what they have learned to other teachers.

Day 1 of training began with an introduction of healthy lesson plans for grades K-2 and 3-5, overviews of childhood obesity, the connection between health and academic achievement in school and the wellness efforts such as Go for the Gold that are already underway in CPS. This initial session was so well received by the attendees that HSC added a repeat session  for new teachers who were interested in getting involved!

Day 2 got right to work with a focus on physical activity and non-food based rewards. This day of training aimed to introduce teachers to ways of rewarding good behavior that did not include pizza parties or sweet treats. This training day also encouraged teachers to begin putting what they learned on Day 1 into practice by writing their own lesson plans and learning how to introduce their schools to the Fit to Learn concepts.

Perhaps most exciting, teachers reported that they are already putting what they've learned into practice to make healthy changes at their schools! Teachers said:

“This is so functional and very informative. Best PD I’ve been to in years!”

“I gained ideas I can apply in my classroom tomorrow.”

“I enjoyed the hands on activities and websites I can use in my class.  I learned how to integrate wellness into reading, math and language arts.”

Several teachers also reported that their participation in Fit to Learn helped them support their schools in the effort to Go for the Gold and meet the high standards of the HealthierUS School Challenge. Stay posted for spotlights on Fit to Learn teachers and their efforts to make wellness a regular part of the school experience.

To learn more about Fit to Learn, visit www.healthyschoolscampaign.org/FitToLearn.

FoodCorps Recruiting First Class of Service Members: Learn More!

 
FoodCorps, a brand new and much anticipated national service program, opens applications for its first class of service members this week!  Those selected will dedicate one year of full-time public service in school food systems: sourcing healthful local food for school cafeterias, expanding nutrition education programs, and building and tending school gardens.

FoodCorps is a scalable solution to the national obesity epidemic. Since 1980, the percentage of American children who are overweight or obese has doubled. With one in four U.S. children struggling with hunger and one in three obese or overweight, FoodCorps addresses the root cause of both: access to healthy food.

FoodCorps seeks up to 80 young men and women with a passion for serving their country by building healthy communities.  Beginning in August 2011, service members will get their hands dirty in one of 10 states: Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina or Oregon. 

 

Applications and more information can be found at www.foodcorps.org.

The Best Solution for Students & the Economy: Healthy, Safe School Buildings

"A Normal Classroom at Douglass" by Dominic from Baltimore

By Mark Bishop, Deputy Director

I constantly read and hear stories about schools cutting services, teacher and staff layoffs, deferred maintenance, reduced investment in after-school programs. A recent report by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) encapsulated much of what I've been hearing and reading, and it made the case for the dire economic conditions of our schools, with a particular note about the deteriorating condition of school buildings.

Their report [pdf], “A Cliff Hanger: How America’s Public Schools Continue to Feel the Impact of the Economic Downturn,” is based on a survey of school administrators conducted this spring. Administrators from 45 states participated in the survey.

What stood out to me most was that, although the need is acknowledged, the neglect continues:

A widely understood but seldom discussed issue by state policymakers, superintendents, boards and their communities is the deferral of maintenance, as well as infrastructure costs (including transportation) and programmatic decisions. These deferrals often begin as economic necessities but evolve into safety and adequacy issues. While some stimulus funding to schools has been provided to primarily increase employment, the state of the physical facilities of many schools has never been worse and promises to decline further. Poorly maintained school facilities invite difficult decision making that promises to erode the quality of schooling.

The details? Schools are increasing deferred maintenance (more than 55 percent of schools reported this), outsourcing maintenance programs (20 percent), reducing custodial services (46 percent), and it goes on and on.

How far will this go?

My concern that that we've cut school funding so greatly that there is nowhere left to cut. And from the perspective of our facilities, how much longer can an aging building stock survive? In 2009, our nation's schools were given a "D" rating by the American Society of Civil Engineers. And how many roof collapses or emergency maintenance delays can we accept before a real crisis happens? I'm concerned that our inability to invest in the most basic structures of our education systems may lead to either a major crisis, or a series of smaller (and very expensive) issues in the not-too-distant future.

It's worth noting that this reality stands in direct contrast with the highly-publicized promise of efforts to build green school buildings. These green, healthy initiatives have in many cases been very successful in providing a great learning environment that promotes health and education while conserving resources.  But the truth is that these green "school buildings of the future" are the exception rather than the rule. As we consider their promise, it's important to remember that we're barely maintaining the schools of today. (In many districts, new construction dollars and maintenance dollars come from completely different budgets; so when education budgets are tight, it's deferred maintenance that is put up as an option to avoid cutting teachers or staff. It's not a winning equation.)

But the news is not all bleak. AASA also recognizes that investing in our school system can be a vital part of an economic recovery:

One of the engines to economic recovery is schooling. A strong system of schools fuels the workforce development and economic diversity essential to a recovering economy. Reducing investment in schools when capacity is needed to sustain recovery only prolongs the economic downturn. Therefore, it is critical that Congress and the U.S. Department of Education work to ensure schools have the resources they need to fuel economic recovery and growth, along with the flexibility to make the dollars go as far as possible.

Investing in our schools can be part of the solution for problems we're facing in education, workforce development, health and safety. There is great promise in transforming this bleak picture into one of community investment in our schools, in kids' health and education.

As part of our advocacy for healthy and safe school buildings, HSC recently presented the Through Your Lens photo contest and exhibit with our partners at Critical Exposure and the 21st Century School Fund to raise awareness about the condition of school buildings across the country. The slides below show some of these images -- illustrating both the problems and the promise of our school buildings. Visit www.throughyourlens.org for a closer look at how schools really appear to those who learn and work in them every day.

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

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Plus: Here are a few more good resources on building new schools or maintaining old buildings:

• Why Johnny Can't Walk to School [PDF] , a report from the National Trust for Historic Preservation

• Build or Renovate School Facilities?, a list of references from the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities

• New Construction Vs. Renovation for Older School Facilities, a guide to analyzing the costs/benefits of each path

"School climate can be measured with the same rigor as academic achievement:" Coalition Comes Together for School Environment

By Laura Fillenwarth

On June 15, the National Collaboration for Youth will host a briefing on Capitol Hill on School Climate and Academic Achievement: using data to improve conditions for learning and youth outcomes.

The briefing will show that school climate can be measured with the same rigor as academic achievement and will reinforce the idea that school climate is an issue that is not limited to one model, approach or framework.  In connection with the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, ESEA, the briefing will discuss how school climate data can be measured and utilized to improve student performance.

 

On a similar note, the National Collaboration for Youth is also advocating for a minimum of $410 million for the Successful, Safe and Healthy Students program to be included in the FY 2011 Labor/HHS/Ed Appropriations bill. HSC is also supportive of this initiative.

 

As outlined in the President’s FY 2011 budget, the Successful, Safe and Healthy Students program at the U.S. Department of Education will increase the capacity of states and local education agencies to create safe, supportive, healthy, and drug‐free school environments. With it, schools would improve school climate by:

• reducing drug use, violence, bullying, or harassment
• increasing students' physical health and well‐being through nutrition, physical activity, and fitness
• and strengthening students' mental health and well‐being through the use of counseling, health and mental health services, and social services.

As the National Collaboration for Youth writes in its letter to Senators Harkin and Cochran:

A positive school climate is essential to student academic achievement, health and well-being. By establishing school climate standards and measuring school climate with the same scientific rigor used to measure academic achievement, schools can identify problem areas and promote concrete changes in curriculum and instruction, co-curricular programs, support services, and community partnerships that are essential to great teaching and learning.

Speakers at the June 15 hearing will include Dr. Peter Benson, President of Search Institute; Dr. Shane Lopez, Senior Scientist at Gallup and architect of the Gallup Student Poll; Dr. Jonathan Cohen, President of Center for Social and Emotional Education (CSEE) and Co-Chair of the National School Climate Council; among others.

In the DC area? Learn more or RSVP for the briefing here. 

Ten Reasons to Show Historic Schools Some Love

Today we're reposting a great blog from our friends at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, originally posted on April 27, 2010. Kudos to Renee and the National Trust for their great work for community schools!

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By Renee Kuhlman

Today is Historic Schools Day, which is part of School Building Week, an annual program organized by the Council of Educational Facility Planners. To celebrate, I thought I’d start a conversation about the many reasons why we love our older and historic schools.   Here’s my top ten (in no particular order).  

Reason #1 – They’re old. Yes, that’s right – we love them because they have served and continue to educate our students. From the worn grooves on their staircases to their old-fashioned lockers, these buildings simply exude history.  

Reason #2 – We like how they look. We love admiring their architecture, which has been enjoyed by generations before us.  

Reason #3 – We like where they’re located. We think being able to walk and bike to school is pretty cool, not to mention the fact that it’s great for the environment. 

Reason #4 – We like their “compact build” (small footprint, multiple stories, etc.), which allow them to be nestled in our neighborhoods.  

Reason #5 – We appreciate the workmanship and long-lasting materials that went into them. We like walking on their gleaming terrazzo floors and appreciate the longevity of their slate roofs.  

Reason #6 – We think the schools’ civic design and prominent placement shows how much education was – and is – valued by community members. 

Reason #7 – We like wondering about the generations who came before us. Did the folks in those old class photos have as much trouble in high school as I did? Did we take math in the same classroom? Did I use their locker?  

Reason #8 – We enjoy seeing our neighbors there – whether it’s to vote, to enjoy a potluck supper, or to walk around the track after hours.  

Reason # 9 – We appreciate the care that has gone into maintaining the building…even more so now that we’re older ourselves.  

Reason #10 – We like that they are true centers of community.  

I know these aren’t all of the reasons. Take a moment to celebrate Historic Schools Day by telling us what you appreciate about the older and historic schools in your town. Need some inspiration? We hear dusting off those old yearbooks really helps to get the wheels turning.  

The three-story Albemarle High School Building has been a part of the small community of Albemarle, North Carolina since 1924, and is conveniently located in a residential neighborhood just one block from the central business district. Despite initial opposition from the school board, the community rallied support to save this building from demolition and to renovate it as the Central Elementary School in 2002. Local residents believe the renovation has contributed to the continued vitality of this rural community. (Photo: Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation)

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Renee Kuhlman is the director of special projects for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Center for State and Local Policy. The National Trust undertook the “Helping Johnny Walk to School: Sustaining Communities Through Smart Policy” project through a cooperative agreement with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.   

Want to learn more? Click here to download the recently-released “Helping Johnny Walk to School: Policy Recommendations for Community-Centered Schools.”

HSC Recognizes Innovations for Wellness & Environment

Healthy Schools Campaign is pleased to recognize three innovators in the 2009-2010 Innovation Showcase! Congratulations to:


HSC conducted a nationwide search for new and innovative products and services that help create healthier school environments. The search focused specifically on two areas: the environmental impact of a school, and the way that a school supports healthy eating and physical activity for students. Companies from all corners of the marketplace were invited to share their unique inventions and innovations. We are pleased to recognize three innovators:

Activeion Pro is a hand-held spray bottle that converts tap water into a powerful cleaner and sanitizer. This enables facility management teams to clean surfaces in schools without using chemicals. ActiveIon "gives true meaning to 'innovation,'" said showcase judge Joe Agron of American School & University. "It's especially applicable in the education environment -- a fascinating product." Learn more »

Canteen Waterwerkz vending delivers healthy chilled beverages in an environmentally friendly way using a machine that mixes water-based drinks in re-sealable pouches, chills and serves them in seconds. It serves good-for-you drinks with less packaging and more energy efficiency than a conventional vending machine. "It's exciting to see a product design that takes into account both kids' health and the health of our environment" said showcase judge Mark Bishop of HSC.

Peaceful Playgrounds is a do-it-yourself kit that allows schools to transform their playground or schoolyard with colorful, active games. The kit helps teachers create play environments that reduce bullying and injuries while increasing physical activity. Peaceful Playgrounds is "an excellent innovative idea on a number of levels," said showcase judge Jay Snyder of the Association of School Business Officials International. "It makes recess more of a learning and creative experience for the students. It's safe for the students and the environment. And it's easy to clean, which is very important to the custodians, directors of facilities, and to the school and school districts in general." Learn more »

The products spotlighted in the Innovation Showcase were selected by a judging panel with representatives of HSC, American School & University and the Association of School Business Officials International. The judges selected products based on the creativity of the innovation and the potential positive impact. Learn more at www.healthyschoolscampaign.org/?innovation.

Through Your Lens Student Photo Spotlight: "Can You See Me Now?"

In honor of the Through Your Lens book release, HSC is proud to spotlight student and teacher photos of the school buildings where they learn and work every day. Over the next several weeks, we'll spotlight different images and stories from the book and exhibit. You can view or download the full book at www.ThroughYourLens.org.

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Can You See Me Now?

By: Jada from New Orleans

"This is a classroom in Colton Academy. It is a storm ravaged school nearly four years after Katrina. It has not reopened as a school yet."

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Take action! To raise your voice for safe, healthy school facilities that support learning for all students, click here.

Through Your Lens Student Photo Spotlight: "A Normal Classroom at Douglass"

In honor of the Through Your Lens book release, HSC is proud to spotlight student and teacher photos of the school buildings where they learn and work every day. Over the next several weeks, we'll spotlight different images and stories from the book and exhibit. You can view or download the full book at www.ThroughYourLens.org.

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A Normal Classroom at Douglass

By: Dominic from Baltimore

 

"The historic Frederick Douglass High School has seen its ups and its downs during the hundred years it has served its predominantly African- American Baltimore students. Right now Frederick Douglass is experiencing a renaissance with enthusiastic teachers and students who are excited to learn. However, the outdated facilities are an obstacle to learning. Every time it rains, this basement classroom will flood, adding to existing water damage from a fire three years ago."

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Take action! To raise your voice for safe, healthy school facilities, click here.

Through Your Lens Student Photo Spotlight: "Snapshot"

In honor of the Through Your Lens book release, HSC is proud to spotlight student and teacher photos of the school buildings where they learn and work every day. Over the next several weeks, we'll spotlight different images and stories from the book and exhibit. You can view or download the full book at www.ThroughYourLens.org.

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Snapshot

By: Amanda from Fort Lauderdale

"I took a picture of my friend in our photography class, and I really liked the shot because it gives the viewer a peek into our classroom. Our classroom is really neat, we have a variety of things that help us express our creativity, like our computers, the software on them, the books our teacher collects, etc. Another thing I tried to highlight in the photo is the colors of the books and posters in the room. I think this picture shows a positive view of my school, because not many schools around the country have access to a classroom quite like ours."

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Take action! To raise your voice for safe, healthy school facilities that support all students' creativity and opportunity to learn, click here.