In This Issue

• HSC News: Healthy, High-Performing Schools; HSC's Boston Marathon Team
• Program Updates: HSC Launches School Nurse Resource Center; Parents United Commended by CPS
• Recent Blog Entries: New Year's Resolutions; Green Cleaning Awards; Thirty Years After Love Canal

HSC News

High Performance Green Buildings Act Includes Good News for Schools

The federal High Performance Green Building Act of 2007, which the U.S. Senate and House attached to the 800-page energy bill signed into law in Dec. 2007, includes good news for healthy, high-performance schools.

The act recognizes the importance of healthy school buildings and specifically calls for guidelines that states may use in developing programs to address the impact of school environments on students and staff.

The guidelines should take into account factors affecting school buildings that range from fundamental problems such as lead and asbestos to high-performing factors such as natural daylighting and what the bill refers to as "other issues relating to the health, comfort, productivity, and performance of occupants of the school facilities."

We’re pleased to see federal leaders recognizing the value and incredible potential of healthy, energy-efficient school design, and are equally happy to see that cleaning practices and pest control – two areas of high-performing schools that are sometimes overlooked – are identified in the bill as important factors for a school environment.

Plus: Check out HSC's Resource Guide for Healthy High Performing School Buildings »

HSC Runner Emily Jones after the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon

Only Two Spaces Remaining on HSC’s Boston Marathon Team

HSC is expanding our marathon program to include the Boston Marathon, one of the most prestigious and difficult-to-enter races in the world. Running as a member of our team guarantees you entry into this elite athletic event without a qualifying time!

The Boston Marathon will be held on April 21, 2008, and registration for the HSC team closes on Jan. 25 or when all spaces have been filled. Currently, only two spaces remain available on HSC’s Boston Marathon team.

Runners agree to raise $2,500, which includes entry to the race. Runners who receive race bibs on their own by qualifying can also join our team at a suggested $1,500 or more fundraising level.

To learn more about joining the team, contact Cheryl Kaplan or call (312) 419-1810.

Program Updates

CPS Commends Parents United for Healthy Schools

Parents demonstrate in-class physical activities at a PUHS training.

Parents United for Healthy Schools/Padres Unidos Para Escuelas Saludables (PUHS), a coalition led by Healthy Schools Campaign, has received commendation from the Chicago Public Schools Office of Specialized Services for the group’s work to support the district’s school wellness policy.

Renee Grant-Mitchell of the Office of Specialized Services wrote that she appreciates the work of PUHS and wishes to "support their participation on the school-based teams required under the policy." PUHS has trained parents to establish and maintain school wellness teams in public schools throughout the city, and supports parent leaders as they use the wellness teams as venues through which to create healthy change in schools.

HSC Launches School Nurse Resource Center

HSC has launched a new School Nurse Resource Center to help school nurses in the ongoing effort to make schools healthier places to learn and work. HSC, together with our School Nurse Advisory Committee, works to improve student and staff health by providing professional development, advocacy and resource sharing opportunities for school nurses. The resource center includes relevant articles, blog entries, guides, training information and other resources.

Check out the School Nurse Resource Center »

Recent Blog Entries

HSC's staff experts discuss news stories and new developments every week at the HSC Blog. Stop by and leave a question or comment. And while you're there, enter your email address for automatic delivery on days when a new blog entry has been posted. Here's a look at some of our recent posts:

Happy New Year! Resolving to Bring Fun Physical Activity to Kids | by Jean Saunders
Happy New Year! With the beginning of a new year come New Years Resolutions! Fitness goals or resolutions showed up on every list of popular resolutions that I’ve seen. With no shortage of information about the benefits of exercise to our children’s health and their ability to learn – and with thousands (no, millions!) of us setting activity goals and resolving to get more exercise – still less than half of us get the amount of exercise recommended by the American Heart Association and the American College of Sports Medicine. ... Read more

Green Cleaning Awards: More than Cleaning Products | by Claris Olson
One of the most exciting things we did in 2007 in the world of green cleaning was working with American School & University magazine and the Green Cleaning Network to launch the first Green Cleaning Awards programs. One thing that was clear in the applications -- and what we emphasize in The Quick and Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools -- is that green cleaning is about more than just using environmentally preferable cleaning chemicals. So, here is a test question: What exactly are the other four steps to green cleaning in schools? ... Read more

Thirty Years after Love Canal: First National Guidelines on School Siting | guest blog by Stacey Gonzalez
Wow. We did it.After six years of pressure on the government to create school siting guidelines that would prevent a school from being built on contaminated land, they have finally moved. This is the first time the federal government has given state legislatures direction when it comes to laws protecting where schools may be physically sited in relationship to toxic contamination sites. Prior to this legislation, no such federal instruction existed. Forty-five states do not have laws that prevent schools from being located next to toxic contamination sites. ... Read more

"Just as we are looking out for our students, we also need to look out for our teachers. They need to be in the best health possible so they can do their best job for the students."
- School Nurse Pam Clark on staff wellness initiatives in Scott County, MS, as quoted in the Scott County Times

Charity Athletics Project Manager
HSC is seeking a part-time Project Manager to oversee and grow our charity athletics program | More

Chicago Tribune
Putting the Heat on School Menus | More

Support Healthy Schools
You have the power to help make healthy schools a reality through a gift to HSC or a donation in honor of a friend, family member or a child in your life! | More

School Nurse Leadership Training: Improving Your School’s Environmental Health
Feb. 5
The Healthy Schools Campaign, in partnership with National-Louis University and the University of Illinois at Chicago, is sponsoring a 3-part training series for school nurses | More

View all events »

A+ for Energy Grants
Deadline: Mar. 7, 2008
Grants of $5,000 or $10,000 available to classroom teachers for creative, innovative programs | More

Champions for Healthy Kids Grants
Deadline: January 15
For community-based groups that develop creative ways to help youth adopt a balanced diet and active lifestyle | More

Healthy Sustainable Schools: Guide & Assessment Tool
Free on-line and printed resource with a goal of helping schools reduce operating costs, reduce environmental impacts and promote a healthy
environment for students | More

Zero Waste Schools Composting Grants
Deadline: Feb. 15, 2008
Grants to begin food waste composting and waste reduction initiatives at school | More

School Chemistry Lab Safety Guide CD-ROM
This NIOSH tool includes safety guide and other chemical management resources for schools. Place order online.
| More