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The Problem --
too many Unhealthy Schools!
New York City has over 1,100 public schools enrolling 1 million children, all of whom are more vulnerable than adults to environmental hazards, and increasing numbers of whom are already at risk due to poverty or disabilities. Poor facility conditions can impair children's health and ability to learn.
State surveys show that one-third of all schools statewide need new roofs, 37% have ventilation problems, 24% have indoor air pollution, and one-fifth have outdated wiring or heating systems. Unfortunately, NYC schools are not alone in their problems.
You have right to know about school facility conditions and management practices. Try the Healthy Schools Checklist to see just how healthy your school is.
New York Healthy Schools Network can
- Help you get started locally by putting you in touch with the resources you need,
and
- Work for change so that all schools are healthier for all our children, their teachers, and other school personnel.
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The Solution --
The Environmental Bill of Rights
and better practices endorsed by the
New York State Board of Regents.
• Every child and school employee has the right to an environmentally safe and healthy learning place which is clean and in good repair;
The protection of the health and safety of all children and the protection of the environment our children will inherit are our paramount responsibilities as adults;
The capacity of children to learn may be impeded if school environments are not clean and in good repair and/or contain elements hazardous to their health.
• Every child, parent and school employee has a "right to know" about environmental hazards in the school environment:
When environmental threats are present, the costs to schools, to students, to teachers, and to other building occupants can be enormous.
• Schools should serve as role models for environmentally responsible behavior:
Schools are major institutional purchasers, users, and disposers of many types of equipment, materials, and supplies.
Schools serve daily as powerful role models for students and for other members of their communities;
Schools can be both environmentally and fiscally responsible in how buildings are built and maintained and in their purchasing and disposal policies and practices.
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