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Welcome
Program Description
The aim of the Healthy School Program is to treat the school as a whole, improving both its indoor and outdoor environments. Funded by Environment Canada's EcoAction program and the New Brunswick Departments of Education, and Health and Wellness, the project helps school partners identify materials and strategies that will increase their understanding and identification of actual and potential environmental health problems.
The Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action kit for Canadian Schools, produced by Health Canada , is used as the program's basic building block. The New Brunswick Lung Association (NBLA) has added simple survey forms for all staff to complete at the beginning of the program, a general walk-through checklist, a walk-through video, an online "Ask the Expert" section and several optional complementary initiatives. These include: reduction of school bus and parental vehicle idling; school grounds greening; identification, replacement and storage of hazardous materials; energy efficiency; Flight for Life; Go For Green's - Active and Safe Routes to School; and initiating recycling programs.
The New Brunswick Lung Association acts as the facilitator of the program. Interested schools are introduced to and guided through the steps to carry out the program, and they receive materials that enable them to do so, including the new Healthy School Program Walk-through Video/dvd, that provides a clear picture of what the project entails. School environmental teams are established (usually made up of an administrator, a custodian, a teacher, a parent, and in middle and high schools, a student). Through this infrastructure program the teams are trained to identify and resolve basic air quality problems.
THE HEALTHY SCHOOL PROGRAM PROCESS
- Once the school environmental team has been established, all staff should complete the appropriate NBLA survey form (Administrative Checklist, Custodian Checklist, or Teacher's Checklist). The surveys are very helpful to establish a base level of knowledge among the staff, and to possibly identify areas of concern in the school. (A floor plan of the school is also very helpful). The survey results are compiled and the team meets to discuss the findings.
- Next, the school environmental team should investigate any concerns noted in the surveys, to determine if a problem can be resolved right away, or if it is necessary to further explore options to correct the situation.
- If necessary, an Action Plan should be developed, with steps and responsibilities shared among team members. If the problem is still not resolved, the Department of Education protocol should be followed, and the School District Facilities Supervisor should be notified.
- Using the General Walk-through checklist, the school environmental team should conduct a walk-through, either systematically, or just to problem areas identified in the surveys. All areas of the school, however, should be looked at, at least once during the school year. (The New Brunswick Lung Association recommends two walk-throughs each year).
If there are any problems in carrying out the above steps, or if further information or assistance is required, please contact the New Brunswick Lung Association at 1-506-455-8961 or 1-800-565-LUNG(5864).
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