Healthy School Environment

BPS is committed to providing high-performing school buildings and grounds that are clean, in good repair, have healthy indoor air quality and water quality, have sanitary and accessible bathrooms, and use resources efficiently.

Healthy School Environment Toolkit Cover

KIDS LEARN BEST IN HEALTHY SCHOOLS

The Healthy School Environment Resource Toolkit was developed to assist Boston Public School Principals/ Headmasters and their Wellness Councils implement the Healthy School Environment Policy, a component of the District’s Comprehensive Health & Wellness Policy. The Toolkit is a guide for assessing, taking action, communicating, and monitoring & evaluating environmental, health, and safety issues in our schools. It provides definitions of environmental factors to consider, links to current policies, procedures, and best practices to address specific environmental factors identified in their building’s annual Environmental Audit (Audit).

Incorporate Healthy School Environment into your School Wellness Council Action Plan, based on the Healthy School Environment Section of the District Wellness Policy (page 9). Topics include:

– Green Cleaners
– Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
– Trash and Recycling
– Infection Prevention & Control
– Tobacco Free Environmental Policy
– School Environmental Inspections/Audits
– Student Safety/Health in School Shops
– BPS Water Policy
– Laboratories and Chemical Inventory “Right to Know” Law
– Idling of buses and other motor vehicles on school property

WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

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GETTING STARTED
The following BPS policies promote a healthy school environment:
Use the Healthy School Environments Toolkit to promote healthy and sustainable Boston Public Schools.

Use the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Clearing the Air: An Asthma Toolkit for Healthy Schools

If you’d like to join the BPS Healthy School Environment Committee, a subcommittee of the District Wellness Council, please contact Maryka Lier at mlier@bostonpublicschools.org.
SCHOOL WELLNESS COUNCILS & WELLNESS CHAMPION PROGRAM

SCHOOL WELLNESS COUNCILS
Boston Public Schools understands that physical, social and emotional well-being, and positive development are inextricably linked with academic success. School-based wellness councils are the primary engines for creating safe, healthy, and sustaining learning environments at each school. School Wellness Councils act as a shared leadership team to implement the District Wellness Policy and wellness-related policies at each school. All Boston Public Schools are required to establish and maintain a school-based Wellness Council. Learn more on the BPS Health & Wellness website.

WELLNESS CHAMPION PROGRAM
The Wellness Champion Program aims to promote the implementation of the District Wellness Policy by building the capacity of schools to sustain active Wellness Councils and to implement wellness initiatives in schools. School-based staff will receive professional development in their chosen domain, one-on-one technical assistance, and the opportunity to build a peer network of support.

A Wellness Champion is an active member of a school community with a commitment to creating a healthier school environment. Each school is eligible to have two Wellness Champions in separate domains. Healthy School Environment is one domain. Learn more on the BPS Health & Wellness website.
ANTI-IDLING VEHICLES & SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS

To help support idling reduction efforts in Massachusetts schools, MassDEP makes Idling Reduction signs and materials available to Green Team schools.

Schools must be registered Green Team schools (free, easy registration) and submit a completed Idling Reduction Signs and Materials Application Form to be considered for this assistance. The completed application form must be signed by the principal and submitted by fax to THE GREEN TEAM at the fax number on the form or scanned and emailed to recycle@thegreenteam.org.

BPS Schools are also encouraged to use the resources available on our Transportation page, including Safe Routes to Schools and the On Air Anti-Idling Campaign materials.
CLUTTER CLEAN-OUTS
Does your school have clutter?

Consider launching a decluttering effort at your school. Use the BPS Declutter and Green Out Guide to assist you.

Decluttering Benefits:
- Decrease in pest incidents
- Decrease in asthma triggers such as dust
- Improved air quality
- Increase in available school space for academics, enrichment, and organized storage
- Improved access for daily custodial work
- Improved cleanliness and “look” of the school for school community and visitors
GREEN CLEANERS

Promote the use of green cleaners in schools by following the BPS Green Cleaners Policy.

BPS is committed to providing and maintaining high-performing buildings and grounds in an environmentally-friendly and sustainable manner. The Green Cleaners Policy applies to all Boston Public School buildings and grounds, including offices, classrooms, restrooms, cafeterias, gymnasiums, hallways, pathways, kitchenettes, stairwells, etc.

TIP: Every school has a chemical dispensing system managed by the school custodial staff. Collaborate with custodial staff to set up a “Green Cleaner Station” where teachers can leave reusable spray bottles to be filled with the general green cleaner. Use the green cleaner with paper towels instead of any pre-soaked wipes. Discourage any use of pre-soaked wipes.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM)
What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
IPM is a comprehensive strategy to manage pests using multiple control tactics with the least cost and environmental impact. IPM includes increased monitoring, improving sanitation, eliminating pest harborage sites, and using lowest impact pesticides as necessary. Use and share the BPS IPM Guide to understand the district IPM policy and tips for a successful program.

Requirements
- All schools must have an IPM Plan (Indoor & Outdoor) and Logbook and designated IPM Coordinator.
- Plans must be registered with the State.
- Copy of the school plan and logbook must be in the main office.
- State regulation requires all Boston Public Schools to use less toxic pesticides found on the State’s approved list.
- Pesticides only be applied by a licensed pest control contractor on school property.
- No School Staff (including Custodial Staff) may apply any pesticides (i.e. weed killer, rodenticide, etc.) on school property.
Top Five Pests
1. Mice
2. Cockroaches
3. Rats
4. Bed Bugs
5. Fruit Flies

How to Control Pests
1. Keep them out: Use door sweeps, fill rodent holes, and eliminate rodent pathway areas.
2. Starve them: Avoid keeping food stored in classrooms. If you must store food, use plastic containers with sealed-tight lids.
3. Don’t give them a home: Avoid having clutter, clutter provides shelters for pests to hide in or materials for pests to build nests.
SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITS
WATER

Per the BPS Water Access Policy. BPS Facilities Management Environmental Division annually tests all online water units used for drinking and food preparation for lead and copper concentrations.

Results of the 2019 BPS Water Testing can be found here.

BPS annual testing adheres to Mass DEP’s guidance for Sample Collection Procedures for schools and early education childcare facilities, available at the following link: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/water/drinking/how-to-collect-a-drinking-water-sample-for-lead-and-coppe.html. This testing protocol does not include any sinks used for facility cleaning or hand-washing, including but not limited to those found in utility rooms, bathrooms, science labs, prep rooms, and classrooms. These sinks are not to be used for drinking or any other consumptive purpose such as food preparation and shall be posted as such.

BPS Facilities Management provides water testing results and any recent water-related information to BPS Communications for the BPS water webpage and annual notices to the BPS community.

For more information on water at Boston Public Schools, visit https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/water and review the BPS Drinking Water Fact Sheet.
ZERO WASTE

Review the Boston Public Schools Recycling and Zero Waste Policy.

Use the BPS Zero Waste Guide to establish and operate your school recycling program. The guide outlines zero waste best practices and offers tips, contacts, and equipment to run a successful recycling program at your school.

Per the BPS Recycling and Zero Waste Policy, every school must have a Zero Waste Coordinator. Interested in serving as your school’s Zero Waste Coordinator? Fill out the BPS Healthy & Sustainable Schools Interest Form.

Visit our Zero Waste page for additional resources and details.

CONTACT US

Facilities Management
1216 Dorchester Ave.
Boston, MA 02125
617-635-9576

BPS is committed to providing high-performing school buildings and grounds that are clean, in good repair, have healthy indoor air quality and water quality, have sanitary and accessible bathrooms, and use resources efficiently.

KIDS LEARN BEST IN HEALTHY SCHOOLS

WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

TAKE ACTION

CONTACT US

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