Incorporate a Healthy School Environment goal into your school’s Wellness Council, based on the Healthy School Environment Section of the District Wellness Policy (page 9). Topics include:
Green Cleaners
Integrated Pest Management
Trash and Recycling
Infection Prevention & Control
Tobacco Free Environmental Policy
Environmental Inspection/Audit
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
Get involved with BPS Healthy & Sustainable Schools initiatives by becoming your school’s Zero Waste Coordinator (formerly Recycling Coordinator), or serving on the district’s Healthy School Environment Subcommittee or Zero Waste Committee. Fill out the interest form.
Register your school forThe Green Team, “an interactive educational program that empowers students and teachers to help the environment through waste reduction, recycling, composting, energy conservation and pollution prevention. Participating classes receive certificates of recognition and are eligible to win awards.”Nine BPS schools are already participating. Will yours be next?
Register your school for theOnAir Campaign, “an educational initiative of Green Schools Alliance that inspires students to take actions that improve our air quality.”
Register a 2017-2018 school volunteer project as aGreen Apple Day of Service. Green Apple Day of Service unites parents, teachers, students, companies and local organizations for volunteer projects that transform our schools into safe, healthy and sustainable learning environments. If you are planning a school volunteer project, be sure to also register with PartnerBPS.
If Applicable to Your School:
Does your school have a clutter problem? Did you know clutter creates asthma triggers, attracts pests, and takes up valuable teaching and learning space? Consider launching a decluttering effort at your school. Mark items “Reuse”, “Recycle”, “Trash”, and “Keep”. Reuse items should be kept within BPS circulation (eg. curriculum, literature books, and school supplies) or donated through policy-approved methods. Work with district leadership and Facilities Management to ensure compliance.
Bring teaching outside- use your school’s outdoor classroom! The Boston Schoolyard Initiative offers a number of resources at schoolyards.org to support teachers using the outdoor classrooms. Contact BPS Sustainability & Environmental Resources Manager Katherine Walsh, kwalsh4@bostonpublicschools.org, if your school would like a hard copy of the Outdoor Classroom’s User Guide, Story Book, or Education Program Guide.
Serve as your school lead for BPS participation in USGBC’s Arc + Schools Program.
BPS Healthy & Sustainable Schools has selected 16 schools to pilot BPS participation in the Arc + Schools Program. Arc is a web-based tool that tracks a building’s performance in energy, waste, waste, transportation, and human experience. Arc will enable BPS to track and analyze these already-existing data sets in one platform, benchmark the data, and develop SMART district sustainability goals.
Pilot schools:
Alighieri Montessori
Boston Adult Technical Academy
Boston Community Leadership Academy
Boston Green Academy
Boston Latin School: Currently working with BLS YouthCAN to pre-pilot so we can provide the best participation experience possible for the other 15 pilot schools.
Haynes Early Education Center
Lee Academy Pilot School
Lyndon
Madison Park
Margarita Muniz Academy
Perkins Elementary
Quincy Upper
Warren/Prescott
Holden
Washington Irving Middle School
Young Achievers
Interested in serving as your school lead? Fill out the interest form.
Recommended Resources:
Join theGreen Schools Alliance community by creating a profile and exploring GSA resources, which includes curriculum and lesson plans, apps, best practices guides, and recommended green partners.
Barbara Louise Woodcock
November 6, 2017 @
10:40 AM
Hi, Some may or may not know that several of BPS buildings are sealed, meaning there is no ability to open the windows. Specifically, the Umana is experiencing very poor air quality as measured by individual staff and student allergic symptoms that range from migraines, scabby noses, excessive coughing and sneezing, red, watery eyes and copious nasal secretions. Symptoms are instantly alleviated upon going outdoors. Unique to our building are intake fans that have running delivery vehicles with exhaust that periodically stand in the way of the fan thus taking in exhaust into the small offices of the interior of the building. There is visual evidence of mold in certain areas and open ceilings with stained tiles where black dust falls on the heads of those in the room. There is evidence of black mold per clinical report that may be due to a roof leak that is ongoing even after repair. The previous administration has had the air ducts cleaned after the roof leak was repaired but it continues to leak thus creating increased dust mites that very likely carry mold. THe only person who is observed to test the air quality does not test for mold. Several carpets have been removed to satisfy complaints and the post test revealed no mold at that time but the air quality is no better and each and every person is affected by the poor quality of air. This year in particular, 2 teachers contracted pneumonia and at least 3 teachers have been observed haing extreme coughing fits to the point of almost vomitting. The logical solution would be to have several strategic windows opened, have the remaining carpets removed, the ducts cleaned and the ceiling tiles replaced. And an outside agency would offer the best advice.
Hi Barbara, Thank you for your comment, I will share your comment with the BPS Environmental Division. Additionally, I encourage the Umana Wellness Council to consider addressing the school’s most recent environmental audit findings as part of the Council’s 2017-2018 work plan. If support is needed for this idea, please contact me (Katherine Walsh) at kwalsh4@bostonpublicschools.org. Thank you.
November 6, 2017 @ 10:40 AM
Hi, Some may or may not know that several of BPS buildings are sealed, meaning there is no ability to open the windows. Specifically, the Umana is experiencing very poor air quality as measured by individual staff and student allergic symptoms that range from migraines, scabby noses, excessive coughing and sneezing, red, watery eyes and copious nasal secretions. Symptoms are instantly alleviated upon going outdoors. Unique to our building are intake fans that have running delivery vehicles with exhaust that periodically stand in the way of the fan thus taking in exhaust into the small offices of the interior of the building. There is visual evidence of mold in certain areas and open ceilings with stained tiles where black dust falls on the heads of those in the room. There is evidence of black mold per clinical report that may be due to a roof leak that is ongoing even after repair. The previous administration has had the air ducts cleaned after the roof leak was repaired but it continues to leak thus creating increased dust mites that very likely carry mold. THe only person who is observed to test the air quality does not test for mold. Several carpets have been removed to satisfy complaints and the post test revealed no mold at that time but the air quality is no better and each and every person is affected by the poor quality of air. This year in particular, 2 teachers contracted pneumonia and at least 3 teachers have been observed haing extreme coughing fits to the point of almost vomitting. The logical solution would be to have several strategic windows opened, have the remaining carpets removed, the ducts cleaned and the ceiling tiles replaced. And an outside agency would offer the best advice.
November 7, 2017 @ 9:09 AM
Hi Barbara, Thank you for your comment, I will share your comment with the BPS Environmental Division. Additionally, I encourage the Umana Wellness Council to consider addressing the school’s most recent environmental audit findings as part of the Council’s 2017-2018 work plan. If support is needed for this idea, please contact me (Katherine Walsh) at kwalsh4@bostonpublicschools.org. Thank you.
April 18, 2018 @ 1:57 AM
thanks for sharing this article..