A healthy school environment enhances a student's ability to learn.

   Safe Physical Space

A learning environment within a classroom that contributes to a safe, clean environment can promote positive learning surroundings for the students. According to Groark (2012), a space for young children needs to be inviting to children, the child's parents or guardians, and staff.

Smoking is Prohibited on School Campus

Smoking tobacco pollutes the air and it is very dangerous to students. Children are at risk due to secondhand smoke. EPA (2011a) stated that children are not fully developed physically and they breathe more times per minute than adults.

Resources for Families

Facts About Smoking

1.    Causes lung cancer

2.    Breathing problems

3.    Heart Disease

4.    Diabetes

5.    Death

 WATER POLLUTION

Contaminated water and poor sanitation leads to spreading of diseases. Inappropriate managed of water can place children's health at risk.  The AAP and The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences recommend well water be tested annually, if there is any reason to think the structure of the well has been compromised, or when a new child is brought into a home or child care center (Groark, 2012).

Resources for Families

WATER POLLUTION ACTIVITIES

1. Add all the things that belong in the water (use

   container)...ocean animals etc.

2. Add water in container. Have kids move their

    ocean animals around in the container.

3. Now add food coloring in the water and stir it.

4. Have students add objects that doesn't belong

    in the water inside the bin.

5. Have students observe what pollution looks

     like.

Washing Hands

Germs can make you sick when they get onto your hands. One of the most important defense against germs to stop from spreading, and to prevent illness, is by washing hands properly.

Resources for Families

WASHING HANDS:

SING-A-LONG 

Sing to Row, Row, Row Your Boat, which takes the right amount of time for proper hand washing -15-20 seconds. 

LEARNING CENTERS

Learning Centers are engaged with activities to extend students thinking abilities. Students can work in pairs, groups, or individually.

References

COLUMBUS PUBLIC HEALTH 240 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43215 614.645.3111 / www.publichealth.columbus.gov 7/2012: Retrieved from: https://www.columbus.gov/uploadedFiles/Columbus/Departments/Public_Health/New_Programs/Communicable_Disease_Prevention/TeachingHandwashing_1.8.16.pdf

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2011a). Mold remediation in schools and commercial buildings. Retrieved November 16, 2011, from http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html.

Groark, C. J., & Song, L. A. (2012). Health and nutrition of children. Retrieved from https://content.uagc.edu/