IAQ in Schools

School air quality is a serious issue that is best brought up by concerned parents to principals. My recommendation would be to work through volunteer parent groups to see if there is widespread concern about the quality of air in the school, then set up a meeting to talk with the principals, and ask them to advocate to the district. Concerned parents may also be able to present to the School Board directly, if that space is allowed in their regular meetings.

To engage schools to focus on asthma and indoor air quality, we have convened meetings with key school stakeholders in our state including school districts, school nurse teachers, health centers, RI's pediatric hospital, and the RI Department of Education. We also partner with the RI Department of Health's Center for Healthy Homes and Environment to conduct IAQ assessments of schools. Hasbro Children's Hospital provides education asthma workshops for students, staff, and parents in schools which is also a helpful tool for getting into schools.

There is an upcoming IAQ Tools for Schools webinar entitled, "Indights From the Experts: Managing Asthma in Schools With IAQ Preventive Maintenance." This webinar will feature a live discussion will recap the strategies outlined in the Throwback Thursday Webinars re-released in May. You will hear how these asthma management practices are integrated into IAQ preventive maintenance and learn how to utilize EPA guidance to reduce asthma triggers and potentially reduce absenteeism. You also will have an opportunity to have your questions answered by school district representatives who successfully have reduced asthma attacks, increased attendance and improved academic performance.

The webinar will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EDT. You can register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1023707294929698307

I'm glad that the information can potentially help you.

There are also three webinars from May 2019 that are available on-demand that also may provide useful information.

IAQ and Health: Managing Asthma for Improved Health and Academic Outcomes
https://www.epa.gov/iaq-schools/forms/master-class-webinar-managing-asthma-improved-health-and-academic-outcomes
This webinar will teach you how to identify, recognize and address indoor environmental asthma triggers, such as dust and mold, and implement the essential actions for effective asthma management in schools. You also will gain the knowledge to integrate these actions into a comprehensive asthma management plan to institutionalize policies that create a healthier indoor environment.

Using Data to Drive Buy-In and Funding to Reduce Asthma Triggers: The Value Proposition of School IAQ Management
https://www.epa.gov/iaq-schools/forms/webinar-using-data-drive-buy-and-funding-reduce-asthma-triggers-value-proposition
This webinar will teach you how to design and successfully implement a strategy to identify, collect and use data with low-cost, easy-to-use tools (e.g., the School IAQ Assessment Mobile App) to start, improve or sustain a comprehensive IAQ and asthma management program. Through harnessing the power of evaluation, you will be equipped to make the case using a value proposition and a communications strategy that generate broader acceptance of, compliance with and funding for IAQ management, with a specific focus on reducing asthma triggers.