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Ct-green-leaf-list@ctgreenschools.org
http://ctgreenschools.org/mailman/listinfo/ct-green-leaf-list_ctgreenschools.org
Greetings all!
· We will have a Green LEAF table at the 2013 Best Practices Workshop (see event attachment) for sharing. Please join us for that if you can---bring a team from you school.
· Our Green LEAF Council of administrators and teacher leaders met this morning. Minutes are attached. All are invited to join this conversation. I will be sending out a Survey Monkey survey to research the best times and delivery for a Council. Please respond when you get that information!!
Laurel
Laurel Kohl
Energy Education Specialist
Institute for Sustainable Energy
Eastern Connecticut State University
Institute for Sustainable Energy
Eastern Connecticut State University
Mailing Address: 83 Windham Street, Willimantic, CT 06226
Office: 372 High Street, Wilimantic, CT
Office: 372 High Street, Wilimantic, CT
Phone: 860-465-0256 Fax: 860-465-0261 Web: www.sustainenergy.org
Is your school a Connecticut Green LEAF School? Join us today www.ctgreenleaf.org
Sent: Monday, September 30, 2013 5:19 PM
To: Kohl, Laurel (Institute for Sustainable Energy)
Subject: EPA New England Clean, Green and Healthy Schools Monthly Update - October 2013
To: Kohl, Laurel (Institute for Sustainable Energy)
Subject: EPA New England Clean, Green and Healthy Schools Monthly Update - October 2013
EPA New England Clean, Green and Healthy Schools Monthly Update
A Note from your Clean, Green and Healthy Schools Coordinator:
Hi all,
October is Children's Health Month and there are many opportunities featured this month (and year-round!) to work together to make New England's K-12 schools cleaner, greener and healthier. If you haven't checked it out, please note the New Hampshire Partners for Healthy Schools webinar series along with all of the great resources featured in this Update. As a reminder, the monthly Clean, Green and Healthy Schools Update is not meant to be comprehensive but rather is an informal collection of electronic resources that I collect and update each month in case you might find such information helpful in your everyday work. I have bcc'ed the recipients of this Update. If you would like to inquire about the New England K-12 schools partners included on the listserv or if you have any other questions about this Update, please let me know. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Jessica
Jessica Hing, Clean, Green and Healthy Schools Coordinator
hing.jessica@epa.gov | Office (617) 918-1560 | Fax (617) 918-0560
US EPA Region 1 | 5 Post Office Sq. Suite 100 | Mail Code OEP05-2 | Boston, MA 02109-3912
Table of Contents
31. EPA Issues 2013/2014 Urban Waters Small Grants Requests for Proposals (RFP) – Deadline: 11/18/13
I. Webinars
1. New Hampshire Partners for Healthy Schools Webinar: Kick it in Gear! Successfully Launching Your Indoor Air Quality Team 10/2/13 3-4pm ET· October 2, 2013 3-4pm ET
· http://www.nhhealthyschoolenvironments.org/
· Indoor Air Quality management in schools will not just happen – it requires leadership and teamwork. In response to this era of tight budgets, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Tools for Schools (TfS) kit provides easy to understand guidance to allow your school to prevent and solve the majority of indoor air problems. New Hampshire Partners for Healthy Schools (NHPHS) continues to host our ongoing webinar series walking participants step by step on how to successfully use the EPA Tools for Schools program.
· TOPICS: In this session, NHPHS will briefly review the TfS IAQ Backgrounder and the TfS Video Collection that includes the videos Taking Action, Ventilation Basics, and Walkthrough: Four Schools Making a Difference. Then we will dive into the most common issues that schools need to address ventilation, moisture, pest management, cleaning and maintenance, and source control. Presenters will provide technical solutions on how to solve these common problems. Lastly, participants will be introduced to the TfS walkthrough checklists and over the next month will be asked to start their walkthrough at their school(s).
· PRESENTERS: Eugene Benoit, Indoor Environments Program, U.S. EPA Region I; Jeff Blaney, NH Department of Education; Todd Ledoux, Facilities Director SAU 33; and Sandra Chabot, NH Coalition for Occupational Safety & Health.
· WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE: TfS Team Leader and committee members to include Nurses, Teachers, Principals, School Board Members, Parents, Superintendents, Business Officials, Facility Managers, and Custodians.
· CONTACT HOURS AVAILABLE: Following successful completion of the webinar, NHPHS will make certificates available that qualify for one contact hour.
· HOW TO REGISTER: Register now at https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/628646975
2. EPA Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments Webinar Series
· In today's challenging financial climate, the ability to identify and take simple, affordable steps to protect the health of students and staff in our schools has never been more important. This webinar series will outline sensible, low- or no-cost steps that school communities can take to create healthier environments in their buildings. Each webinar will feature school district personnel from across the country presenting their real-life examples and solutions.
· Register at: http://www.epa.gov/schools/webinars.html To receive webinar details and registration reminders, subscribe to our mailing list: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USAEPAR10/subscriber/new?topic_id=USAEPAR10_7
o October 22, 2013, 3:00 PM Eastern (Webinar #6): Sensible Steps for Energy Efficiency and Waste Reduction in Schools
o November 19, 2013, 3:00 PM Eastern (Webinar #7): Sensible Steps for Mold and Moisture Control In Schools
o December 17, 2013, 3:00 PM Eastern (Webinar #8): Renovate Right: EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program at Schools
3. Green Strides Webinar Series 2013
· The Green Strides Webinar Series provides school communities the tools to reduce their schools' environmental impact and costs; improve health and wellness; and teach effective environmental education. It provides all schools access to the resources that help them move toward the Pillars of our U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools recognition award. More information about upcoming webinars is available at: http://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/green-strides/webinar.html. Webinars this month include:
· ED Green Ribbon Schools archives are available at: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/webinar-archived.html
· Sign up for the U.S. Department of Education Green Strides Newsletter at: http://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/green-strides/about.html
· Please check the events listed at: http://www.epa.gov/pesp/events/index.html
· AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org webinars are available at: http://www.asthmacommunitynetwork.org/webinars
· The webinar entitled, "The Role of Community Health Workers in Asthma Management," is available at: http://www.asthmacommunitynetwork.org/node/10260
6. Upcoming EPA/NIEHS Children's Centers Webinar
· Monthly series: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/childrenscenters/webinar/2013/overview.html
· Register at: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/events/#cehc-webinar
· These practical online seminars featured national leaders and on-the-ground experts on green cleaning in schools. Topics included infection control, new technology, making the financial case for green cleaning, and more. Couldn't attend the webinars? Check out the archives online at: GreenCleanSchools.org
· Facility Masters, in conjunction with SchoolDude.com, conducts a monthly Webcast Series focusing on best practices for excellence in educational operations, with emphasis on facilities maintenance, preventive maintenance, energy management and more.
· The typical webcast is a 75-minute presentation featuring an industry expert and an educational-operations professional, who are experts on the topic. Participants view the presentation via the Internet and listen to the presentation online or via a toll free phone line. Each presentation is recorded and made available at: http://www.facilitymastersonline.com/webcasts/
II. Dates & Events to Keep in Mind
9. EPA Children's Health Month – October 2013· Learn more about Children's Health month at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/chm-home.htm
10. National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week – October 21-26, 2013
· The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (HHLPPP) is recognizing National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week October 20-26, 2013. The goal of this initiative is to increase awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention.
· Join us in increasing awareness of the lead epidemic that impacts our children! Scheduled events for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week include FREE toy and blood lead testing, FREE lead test kits and screenings of a documentary feature film, MisLEAD: America™s Secret Epidemic, a documentary feature film described as an emotionally compelling exposé about a hidden epidemic that impacts 1 in 3 American children today. Join Tamara Rubin, an Oregon mother whose sons were lead poisoned, as she travels the country meeting with experts and other parents of poisoned children - looking for answers. [Flyer available]
· International Walk to School Day 10/9/13: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/about-us/newsroom/walk-school-day-2013-registration-now-open Register and see who's registered for International Walk to School Day at: http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/go/whos-walking/2013
· In addition, please check out the New England state websites for state-specific information about International Bike/Walk to School Day and other year-round activities!
o MA: http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/state/srts-in-your-state/massachusetts (Kristin Slaton)
· Register for the 42nd North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Conference! This year, the conference will be held in Baltimore, Maryland from October 9 - 12, 2013. The conference will focus on connecting students to the environment, environmental leadership and greening formal education. Notable speakers will include Ellen McCallie, Stephen Ritz, and Ovie Mughelli - just a glimpse of some of the inspirational leaders in the environmental and educational realms.
· Register before September 20, 2013 at: http://www.naaee.net/conference/registration
· Food Day on October 24 is a nationwide celebration and a movement for healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. Food Day inspires events, big and small, with individuals and organizations coming together on and around October 24 to learn, debate, and mobilize to improve American food system. By teaching children new life skills related to food, Food Day's national partnerships will help youth acquire the knowledge and skills they need, and build a more food literate society. New resources and information for eating real year-round are available through the campaign at: http://www.foodday.org/
· November 1-3 at Salve Regina University in Newport, RI
· The joint 2013 New England Environmental Education Alliance (NEEEA) conference and Sustainable Schools Summit (SSS) will create connections across environmental and educational fields and increase the ability of students, citizens, and our environment to sustain and thrive in the 21st century. This regional conference will provide a unique opportunity for cross-sector networking and collaboration to increase environmental literacy and help create and maintain effective, safe and healthy green schools throughout New England.
· Brochure: http://www.neeea.org/conference/2013-NEEEA-Conference-Brochure.pdf
· Registration: https://neeeaconf.wufoo.com/forms/2013-conference-registration-form/
· Get all of your up-to-date conference information at www.neeea.org. We can't wait to see you in November!
15. ENERGY STAR Day – 11/5/13
· https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=globalwarming.showESDay
· America Recycles Day, a national initiative of Keep America Beautiful (KAB). Takes place annually on November 15, recognizes the benefits of recycling while providing an educational platform that helps raise awareness about the value of reducing, reusing and recycling - every day - all throughout the year.
· Online event registration is now open at Americarecyclesday.org for local organizers to schedule events in their communities and gain access to valuable resources to plan, promote and host events. This year we have switched our registration process over to Re-TRAC Connect. A complete step by step how- to- registration guide can be found on the Host An Event page of the ARD website.
· To support event organizers, there are best practices guides for hosting events, activity ideas, downloadable posters and banners, media outreach tools, sample proclamations, and much more. Events can be scheduled any time during the fall, but should be held as close to November 15 as possible. For more information, log on to www.americarecyclesday.org
· March 27-29, 2014 Sacramento, CA: http://conference.greenschoolsnationalnetwork.org/
· The Request for Proposals is now open for the 2014 Green Schools National Conference to be held in Sacramento, California from March 26-29, 2014. The theme for this year's conference is "Working Together for Healthy, Sustainable Schools." You may find the description of the conference strands and the on-line RFP at the following link: http://greenschoolsnationalnetwork.org/conference/programming/request-for-proposals/ The RFP will be open through August 31, 2013 at midnight.
· http://www.ipmcenters.org/IPMSymposium15/
III. EPA in the News
19. The Breathe Easies (9/17/13)· EPA and the Ad Council are excited to launch public service announcements (PSAs) featuring a new band of puppets who star in online music videos for kids and caregivers about asthma triggers and how to prevent attacks. Get familiar with the Breathe Easies PSAs (click here to watch them in Spanish!) and visit www.noattacks.org!
· http://yosemite.epa.gov/OPA/ADMPRESS.NSF/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/54935b18625834c885257be1006c2f6a!OpenDocument
· EPA Region 7's Healthy Schools Toolkit is available online at www.epa.gov/region7/citizens/schools/toolkit.htm The toolkit is part of EPA Region 7's Healthy Schools Initiative, which provides one-stop online access to programs and resources that can help prevent and resolve environmental issues in schools: www.epa.gov/region7/citizens/schools.
· School representatives with questions or comments about the new Healthy Schools Toolkit are urged to contact Kathleen Fenton, EPA Region 7's Healthy Schools Coordinator, at 913-551-7874, or fenton.kathleen@epa.gov.
o Below is a collection of links to training for Healthy Homes, Schools, and Child Care Facilities.
o National Healthy Homes Training: http://www.nchh.org/Training/National-Healthy-Homes-Training-Center.aspx.
o Healthy Child Care Information for Child Care Providers: http://www2.epa.gov/childcare/healthy-child-care-information-child-care-providers.
o Healthy School Webinars: http://www.epa.gov/schools/webinars.html. Please note recordings from previous webinars are located on a few of these sites too.
o EPA Childcare website: http://www2.epa.gov/childcare. For more information, contact the EPA Regional Children's Health Coordinators: http://www2.epa.gov/childcare/key-epa-contacts
· http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/3E7AEA67187B17E485257BD0004D1600
23. EPA Grant Helps Youth Learn Environmental Skills at Lowell, Mass. Water Treatment Plant (8/13/13)
· http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/C77BCA5E48592F5185257BC6006A1903
24. EPA Has Made Substantial Progress but Could Improve Processes for Considering Children's Health (8/12/13)
· http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-25425. Visit EPA's Schools Web Portal (Ongoing)
· The Portal is a searchable database of on-line resources to help facility managers, school administrators, architects, design engineers, school nurses, parents, teachers, and staff address environmental health issues in schools. Visitors can browse resources by topic or by geographic area, or search all resources by entering specific keywords into the search box at the top of each page. Find web resources. (http://cfpub.epa.gov/schools/index.cfm)
· Resources on the IAQ Tools for Schools Connector: Use the Connector to access technical expertise and resources to learn how to start or improve your IAQ management program. Some of the available resources include:
o IAQ Champions. Learn from individuals who have been recognized by EPA for their achievements in improving IAQ. You can request guidance or mentorship from an IAQ Champion in your area.
o Calendar of Events. Discover and share learning opportunities in your region and across the country.
o Connect with EPA Regional Representatives. EPA Regions provide on-the-ground technical assistance to school districts to develop healthier school indoor environments.
o Monthly E-newsletter and Weekly Emails. Hear the latest scientific information on creating healthy school indoor environments and stay alert to news and events in the school IAQ community. Invite your colleagues to subscribe. They can sign-up by sending a message to IAQTfSConnector@cadmusgroup.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.
o Email Discussion List. Connect directly to healthy school environment professionals. Join this email discussion list by sending a blank email message to schools_iaq_connector-subscribe@lists.epa.gov with "subscribe" in the subject line.
· Check out EPA's Students for the Environment blog for K-12 Students, Educators and Parents at: http://www.epa.gov/students/ Students, teachers and staff are welcome to post ideas and to blog about what they know students are doing to help the environment. Please submit an entry of 400 words or less.
IV. Grants & Awards
28. U.S. Funding for Healthy Schools: Environmental Factors, Children's Health and Performance, and Sustainable Building Practices – Deadline: 10/8/13· http://www.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2013/2013_star_healthy_schools.html
· Summary: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications proposing research that will inform school (K-12 educational facilities) building design, construction and operation practices in order to foster safe and healthy school environments and maximize student achievement and teacher and staff effectiveness. Specifically, the goal is to understand the relationship between environmental factors defined broadly and the health, safety and performance of students, teachers and staff. In addition to health-related concerns, the school environment may similarly impact the performance of students, teachers and staff, including lowering student achievement outcomes, and reducing teacher effectiveness.
Accordingly, research is needed to better understand the negative impacts of the school environment on students' health, safety, and achievement, and to measure the positive potential benefits of effectively managing environmental factors and applying sustainable building practices. The results of this research will help ensure that the risks of environmentally-induced illness and injury to America's students, teachers and other school staff are diminished or avoided and that students, teachers and staff are provided with optimal learning environments in their schools.
· The Lowe's Foundation is accepting applications for its Toolbox for Education Grant Program. The purpose of this program is to support school improvement projects at K-12 public schools in the United States. For the 2013-14 school year, the foundation will give priority to basic necessities, with a preference for funding requests that have a permanent impact, such as facility enhancement (both indoor and outdoor) as well as landscaping/cleanup projects. Projects that encourage parent involvement and help build stronger community spirit are encouraged. Grants ranging between $2,000 and $5,000 will be awarded to select applicants. Any public K-12 school or nonprofit parent group associated with a public K-12 school is eligible to apply. Deadline is October 15, 2013. Please contact the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation for more information and to apply for this funding: http://www.toolboxforeducation.com/index.html
· $5,000 is available to provide much-needed access to health care for underserved populations; wellness and prevention programs that are aimed at helping people achieve their best health, including programs in public schools. Eligibility: All nonprofit organizations applying for a Community Grant for this type of program ARE REQUIRED to provide their EIN number as part of the eligibility quiz. To apply, go to http://info.cvscaremark.com/community/our-impact/community-grants.
Environmental Justice Mailing List
31. EPA Issues 2013/2014 Urban Waters Small Grants Requests for Proposals (RFP) – Deadline: 11/18/13· The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expects to award up to $1.6 million in funding for projects taking place in 18 Eligible Geographic Areas that protect and restore urban waters by improving water quality through activities that also support community revitalization and other local priorities. Small grant awards under this competition will range in the amount of approximately $40,000 to $60,000 in federal funding. The funding is part of EPA's Urban Waters program, and is one element of support EPA is providing to the goals of the multiagency Urban Waters Federal Partnership. This announcement provides support to the Partnership's place-based work, currently underway in 18 locations. The Eligible Geographic Areas are listed below, and illustrated in maps found at the Urban Waters Small Grants program mapping website http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaters/urban-waters-small-grants-mapping.
The goal of the Urban Waters Small Grants program is to fund research, investigations, experiments, training, surveys, studies, and demonstrations that will advance the restoration of urban waters by improving water quality in urban areas through activities that also support community revitalization and other local priorities. This program recognizes that healthy and accessible urban waters can help grow local businesses and enhance educational, recreational, social, and employment opportunities in nearby communities.
This is the second grant cycle for the Urban Waters Small Grants. Eligibility requirements and project types are newly defined for this cycle. The intent of this 2013/2014 RFP is to strengthen and diversify the work taking place in Eligible Geographic Areas to improve water quality and support community revitalization, with an emphasis on underserved communities. Information about Urban Waters Small Grants including the Request for Proposal (RFP) and registration links for the webinar is available at http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaters/urban-waters-small-grants. EPA expects to award the grants in July 2014.
· Questions must be submitted in writing via e-mail to urbanwaters@epa.gov and must be received by the Agency Contact, Ji-Sun Yi, by November 18, 2013. Written responses will be posted on EPA's website at http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaters/urban-waters-small-grants-questions.
· Related Links:
o For more information on EPA's Urban Waters program, visit http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters.
o For information about the Urban Waters Federal Partnership, visit http://urbanwaters.gov.
· The Northeastern IPM Center has released its RFA for the 2014 Partnership Grants Program! Up to $300,000 is available, with a maximum of $50,000 per award. Projects should foster the development and adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) methods in three areas: IPM Working Groups, IPM Issues, and Regional IPM Communications. We especially encourage proposals on pollinators, synergizing IPM and organic efforts, expanding urban agriculture, and training the next generation of IPM researchers and practitioners.
· Please see http://www.northeastipm.org/rfa/partnership for details and a link to the complete RFA. Applications must be submitted online by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 5, 2013. Public and private institutions, organizations, businesses, commodity groups, and individuals may apply. Project Directors must reside in the Northeast or provide sufficient justification for seeking funds from outside their own region. Co-PDs may be from outside the region.
· $25,000-$250,000 is allocated to support health and wellness in communities. Organizations with a current tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible to apply. For more information and to apply, go to http://foundation.walmart.com/apply-for-grants/state-giving.
· Launched in partnership with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, the Champions for Healthy Kids program, the General Mills Foundation will award 50 grants to nonprofit organizations working to improve nutrition and physical fitness behaviors for youth. Applications will be available November, 2013. For more information, go to www.generalmills.com/Responsibility/Community_Engagement/Grants/Champions_for_healthy_kids.aspx.
· Are you working to start a community action project or program with your friends? Do you need money to put your ideas into action? A $500 Do Something Seed Grant is given out every week to help young people just like YOU! These grants can be used towards project ideas and programs that are just getting started, or to jump-start your program and realize your ideas for the first time. These grants can also be used towards projects that are already developed and sustainable, towards the next steps of your project and organization to help you as you look to expand your project and grow your impact. For more information, please see: http://www.dosomething.org/grants/seed-grants
· This grant has no submission deadlines. Applications can be submitted any time of the year. Funding is offered to those who aspire to make progress in ensuring all children grow and reach optimal well-being by living in secure families, having access to fresh, local healthy food, physical activity, and access to quality health care. For more information about this program, and to access an application, go to www.wkkf.org/grants/for-grantseekers.aspx.
· The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF) is an award-winning international nonprofit charity dedicated to planting fruitful trees and plants to alleviate world hunger, combat global warming, strengthen communities, and improve the surrounding air, soil, and water. FTPF programs strategically donate orchards where the harvest will best serve communities for generations, at places such as community gardens, public schools, city/state parks, low-income neighborhoods, Native American reservations, international hunger relief sites, and animal sanctuaries
Recipients must be nonprofits, public schools, or government entities that 1) own the planting site (or have long-term arrangements to remain at the planting site), 2) are committed to caring for the trees in perpetuity, 3) have a source of irrigation nearby, 4) and can help coordinate local volunteers to join on the day of planting.
In addition, the "Fruit Tree 101" program creates outdoor edible orchard classrooms at public schools of all levels, across the country, to provide generations of students with environmental education opportunities and a source of organic fruit for improved school lunch nutrition.
· Please contact The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation for more information and to apply for this funding: http://www.ftpf.org/resources.htm
38. More Grant Information
· Information on over 30 grant opportunities can be found at www.peacefulplaygrounds.com/playground-and-garden-grants/Play+Nice+News%2FGrants+Mid+August++2013.
39. EPA Awards 2013 Environmental Justice Small Grants (9/11/13)
· EPA's 2013 Environmental Justice Small Grants support activities that address a range of community concerns such as reducing exposure to indoor environmental asthma triggers, restoring and protecting waterways, educating child care professionals on ways to prevent lead poisoning, and reducing pesticide use in child care facilities.
· In the fall of 2013, EPA will issue a Request for Proposals for the FY 2014 Collaborative Problem Solving Grants. A schedule of pre-application community stakeholder teleconference calls will be announced at that time. 2013 EJ Small Grant recipients and project descriptions:http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/resources/publications/grants/ej-smgrants-recipients-2013.pdf More information about EPA's Environmental Justice Small Grants program:http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html
· Sources:
o Region 7 Communities Information Digest (Contact Vaughn.Tegan@epa.gov)
o Region 9 Children's Health and School e-newsletter (Contact Campopiano.Jorine@epa.gov)
o Region 10 Healthy School News (Available at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/ecocomm.nsf/programs/healthyschoolnews)
V. Other Schools News in New England and Nationwide
40. Survey on NESIWG Priorities (DUE 10/14/13)· The Northeast School IPM Working Group (NESIWG), a voluntary group of people representing a wide range of school IPM interests needs your help in identifying needs and opportunities that will enable schools to more readily adopt IPM.
· Please take the very brief survey to provide input on what you need to help you keep your school IPM program running smoothly and effectively. We need to hear from you!
Go ahead and take the brief survey now (it will only take a few minutes!) or no later than OCTOBER 14th. You can take the survey anonymously if you choose to. All responses will be kept confidential. A summary of the results will be used by agencies, organizations and funders to guide planning for programs and projects supporting school IPM in the 11 northeastern states.
41. Revised Operations and Maintenance Guide (9/12/13)
· NEEP's is pleased to announce the release of the "Regional Operations & Maintenance Guide for High Performance Schools and Public Buildings in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic: Strategies for creating green, healthy & energy efficient existing buildings in your state or local government." The guide is an updated version of the NE-CHPS Operations and Maintenance Guide, which focuses on guidance for school buildings, to include strategies for all public buildings. It contains operations and maintenance (O&M) procedures that will help buildings reduce their operating costs, as well as lead to healthier indoor air, improved student and staff comfort, reduced water consumption, improved environmental stewardship, and overall improvements in the learning environment.
· Stay tuned for details on webinar this October where we will provide an overview of the OMG include highlighting some of the resources and "See it in Actions" that are featured.
· http://www.nola.com/family/index.ssf/2013/09/most_states_lack_disaster_plan.html#incart_river
· Save the Children report on which news blurb is based can be found at http://www.savethechildrenweb.org/getready/report/Disaster-Report-2013.pdf
· http://www.huffingtonpost.com/claire-l-barnett/are-our-school-buildings-harming_b_3796930.html
· School districts show positive trends - School districts nationwide are showing improvements in measures related to nutritional policies, physical education and tobacco policies, according to the 2012 School Health Policies and Practices Study (SHPPS). SHPPS is the largest and most comprehensive survey to assess school health policies. " Schools play a critical role in the health and well-being of our youth," said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. "Good news for students and parents – more students have access to healthy food, better physical fitness activities through initiatives such as 'Let's Move,' and campuses that are completely tobacco free." http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2013/p0826-school-health.html
· http://www.publichealthnewswire.org/?p=8383
· More at http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/shpps/index.htm
· Every day, 49 million children attend school in the United States, served by nearly seven million teachers and staff. But they're not alone. Schools are also frequented by a number of pests including cockroaches, mice, dust mites and more. Asthma is epidemic among children, impacting nearly 6% of school children nationally with rates as high as 25% in urban centers. Cockroaches are potent asthma triggers.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a prevention-based, highly effective approach proven to reduce pest complaints and pesticide use by up to 90% in schools and other public buildings. IPM practices such as sanitation and exclusion also improve food safety, fire safety and energy conservation. Our newsletter highlights real-life examples of IPM in practice and can help you start an IPM program in your school district. For more information, visit www.schoolipm2015.com.
47. New Report Released Comparing State-Based Asthma Policies that Affect Kids & Workers Who Spend Days in America's Schools (July 2013)
· The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has issued a new report which shows that most states still don't have core policies in place to protect kids and adults in schools nationwide. View the report at www.StateHonorRoll.org, is an annual look at how states compare on 18 core policy issues that affect kids and adults with asthma and allergies while they spend the day learning or working in America's schools.
· The 2013 State Honor Roll list includes (in alphabetical order): Connecticut; District of Columbia; Indiana; Massachusetts; New Jersey; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington
48. Information on How To Advocate For School Nurses (July 2013)
· Information provided from National Association of School Nurses (NASN) at http://www.nasn.org/PolicyAdvocacy
· Making the case for School Nurses - http://www.nasn.org/portals/0/about/2012_The_Case_for_School_Nursing.pdf
· Information on health conditions for US Students (2011) http://www.nasn.org/portals/0/membersonly/Health_Conditions_chart_2011.pdf
· Schools + School Nurses = Safe and Healthy Students
o Helpful presentation to "make the case" for providing funding for school nursing.
o Download the Presenter's Guide http://www.nasn.org/portals/0/membersonly/schools_plus_school_nurses_guide.pdf
o Download Handouts
· During the 2013 National Conference of State Legislatures, the Center for Green Schools at USGBC released a report highlighting green schools activity in state legislatures around the country. At the encouragement of state lawmakers, the Center for Green Schools has reorganized its Green Schools Menu of Options for State Legislators (http://www.usgbc.org/resources/green-schools-menu-options-state-legislators) to align with the three Pillars of U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools.
50. Safe Routes Matters (July/August 2013)
· Safes Routes Matters newsletter is available at: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/about-us/news-room/our-newsletter
· Safe Routes Matters is a free, bi-monthly online publication of the National Center for Safe Routes to School that features resources, news and articles pertaining to Safe Routes to School. To submit article ideas to Safe Routes Matters, please email news@saferoutesinfo.org. For past issues, visit the Newsletter page of saferoutesinfo.org.
· Please check out the New England state websites for state-specific information about International Bike/Walk to School Day and other year-round activities!
o MA: http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/state/srts-in-your-state/massachusetts (Kristin Slaton)
· Sign up for the monthly digest of Center for Green Schools articles at usgbc.org
52. U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (Ongoing)
· The Green Ribbon Schools recognition award honors schools that are exemplary in reducing environmental impact and costs; improving the health and wellness of students and staff; and providing effective environmental and sustainability education, which incorporates STEM, civic skills and green career pathways. The Green Ribbon Schools program is implemented at a state level. Further information about the U.S. Department of Education (ED) Green Ribbon Schools program in New England is available on the following websites. More information about the Green Ribbon Schools program nationwide is available at: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.html
o Connecticut Green Leaf at: www.ctgreenschools.org/ctgreenleaf.htm
o Massachusetts Green Ribbon Schools at: http://www.doe.mass.edu/finance/sbuilding/GreenRibbon/
o New Hampshire Green Ribbon Schools at: http://www.education.nh.gov/program/school_approval/g_ribbion_info.htm\
o Rhode Island Green Ribbon Schools at: http://www.ride.ri.gov/Finance/Funding/construction/schoolconstruction.aspx
o Vermont Green Ribbon Schools at: http://education.vermont.gov/new/html/green_ribbon.html
· US Department of Education (ED) Green Strides Newsletter: To access and sign up, please go to: http://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/green-strides/about.html· U.S. Department of Education (ED) bulletin: To access and sign up, please go to: http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USED-5b70b8
53. USDA eXtension (Ongoing)
· The U.S. Department of Agriculture's eXtension is an interactive learning environment delivering the best, most researched knowledge from the best land-grant university minds across America. eXtension connects knowledge consumers with knowledge providers - experts who know their subject matter inside out. For more information, please see: http://www.extension.org/ Of note, School IPM Action Plans are available at: http://www.extension.org/pages/20295/school-integrated-pest-management-action-plans
· Don't Bug Me Webinar Series 2013: Please see the information at http://www.extension.org/pages/66408/dont-bug-me-webinar-series-2013 for upcoming webinar dates or webinars recordings.
· The RI DataHUB is a central resource for anyone interested in using data to understand the well-being of people in Rhode Island. The DataHUB brings together data sets from multiple federal, state and local sources. The site allows you to select the data of your choice and visualize it in charts, graphs, maps and more. The ability to see relationships between data sets sheds light on important details and allows for new insights into policy or programmatic questions about the well-being of Rhode Islanders. Policymakers, program planners and grants writers can use the DataHUB to demonstrate where to target scarce public resources and explain the data-driven rationale behind policy decisions. Please see: http://ridatahub.org/datastories/keyword/education/
· The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) has just finalized and posted their new school policy resource – Topics in School Environmental Health: Overview of State Laws. This resource provides summaries of state laws and regulations on several important school environmental health topics including – mold, radon, carbon monoxide, vehicle idling, green cleaning, IAQ and renovations, and IAQ management plans. The materials are designed to give policy makers, advocates, and others a picture of the different ways in which state policy currently addresses important school indoor environmental issues. The materials are available through ELI's Indoor Environments and Green Buildings Policy Resource Center: www.eli.org/buildings/tseh.cfm
56. National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) database (Ongoing)
· Do You Know Your State's School Health Policies? With the increased media attention on student health issues, it is more important than ever to stay up on the latest school health and safety policies in place where you live. Since 1998, whole child partner National Association of State Boards of Education has tracked state laws and policies on more than 40 school health topics. You can find what policies are in place in Texas by consulting the State School Health Policy Database at www.nasbe.org/healthy_schools/hs
Disclaimer: Some of the events, articles and websites listed in this email are not sponsored by EPA. EPA is listing them for your information only. EPA is not responsible for their content and does not endorse any commercial product, service, enterprise, or policy that may be included.
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