"Parents
can't take it for granted that schools are the healthy places and safe
havens we expect them to be. Too many schools, old and new, have poor
ventilation systems, bad sanitation, and extensive safety code
violations. The US EPA estimates that nearly 33,000 middle and high
schools have outdated or improperly stored explosives and other
hazardous chemicals in maintenance closets, labs and classrooms. Yet it
is rare to find a school where anyone takes responsibility to enforce
basic health and safety standards. Healthy Schools Day reminds us to
work together for healthy high performance schools and speak up to
protect children from school conditions that threaten their health and
education." Ellie Goldberg, MEd, www.healthy-kids.info
Read more statements of support from Lisa Jackson, US EPA, Arne Duncan, US DOEd, Acadmemy of Pediatrics, US Senate and House Members, National PTA and morehere.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Be a Hero >> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Help make chemical safety part of your school's ongoing security audits and safety plan.
1) Talk with parents, educators and community leaders about making safety part of school culture.
2) Make safety part of the curriculum in science education, vocational
education, occupational health and safety, community service,
comprehensive school health and injury prevention, school security,
emergency preparedness, environmental education, civic education,
school maintenance, and operations. 3)
Promote a sense of shared responsibility and accountability for
student, employee and visitor health and safety in all school areas and
activities.