MEDIA ADVISORY: National Healthy Schools Day Event

April 6, 2011 - PRLog -- WASHINGTON, DC – For the 9th Annual National Healthy Schools Day, coordinated by the Healthy Schools Network in cooperation with US EPA and the Council of Educational Facility Planners, a policy event to highlight the nationwide problem of poor indoor air quality in schools and the simple steps parents, teachers and administrators can take to improve children’s health and learning outcomes will be held on April 11, 2011 at 10 a.m. in Rosemont Elementary School, 16400 Alden Ave., Gaithersburg, Md., 20877.

“Today is about making sure our kids are breathing clean air in the places they go to learn each day,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Asthma and other respiratory illnesses threaten children's health and cause them to miss important school time. There are simple ways to ensure clean air in our classrooms, and National Healthy Schools Day is about bringing people together to make that happen.”

More than 40 local jurisdictions have also planned events around this year’s National Healthy Schools Day (click here for a complete list). A media kit with more background information will be available online beginning Friday, April 8, 2011.

The GAO has declared nearly 15,000 schools across the country as having air that is unfit to breathe. Recent medical studies indicate that schools with high incidences of leaks, molds, pests and other indoor environmental problems can have higher rates of asthma hospitalizations, especially among elementary school children. However, even in these times of budgetary crises, there are cost-effective, easy solutions to issues that, untended, can otherwise lead to lost productivity, absenteeism, high medical bills for families and costly repair jobs for schools.  


WHAT:   National Healthy Schools Day Event

WHERE:   Rosemont Elementary School
16400 Alden Avenue
Gaithersburg, MD 20877

WHO:   Hans Riemer, Montgomery County Council
Jimmy Sweeney, Rosemont Principal
Claire Barnett, Executive Director, Healthy Schools Network
Lisa Jackson, US EPA Administrator (confirmed)

WHEN:   Monday, April 11, 2011
10:00 AM

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Healthy Schools Network, Inc., is the leading national voice for children's environmental health at school and a national-award-winning 501(c) 3 not-for-profit environmental health organization. Founded in 1995, it launched the national healthy schools movement with comprehensive state policies and a model coalition that have been shared and replicated widely since 1997. The Network coordinates the 1,000 member strong national Coalition for Healthier Schools that has won federal funds and laws to improve the conditions of schools. The Network can be reached at 518-462-0632 or on the web at www.HealthySchools.org.