Fall 2003 E-Newsletter

Healthy Schools Campaign in Action:

Campaign Helps CPS Kick Off Green Clean Campaign
On October 16, 70 people gathered at Whitney Young Magnet High School for the Kick Off of the Chicago Public Schools' (CPS) Green Clean Pilot Projects. Earlier this year, a Taskforce was formed to explore transitioning to a cleaning program that replaces potentially dangerous cleaning products with safer alternatives. This fall, 9 schools will be participating in pilot projects. Chief Operating Officer Sean Murphy was at the Kick Off and reiterated CPS' commitment to improving the school environment. For more information on the Green Clean program, click here to view our brochure. (The file is in PDF format, so you will need Acrobat Reader to view it. If you don't have Reader, visit www.adobe.com for a free download.)

Campaign Launches Community Collaborative for School Environmental Health
On September 22, leaders of Chicago area community-based organizations met with Campaign staff to launch the Community Collaborative for Healthy School Environments. Through the Community Collaborative, community based organizations have the opportunity to learn about school environment health issues, use the school-based environmental audit program to evaluate the schools in their community, participate in the Green Flag program, and learn about district-wide efforts to make the school environment healthier. Contact Louella at louella@healthyschoolscampaign.org for information on how to join.

Campaign Participates in Community Forum on Obesity
On September 24, Rochelle Davis, Executive Director, participated on a panel, "Child and Teen Obesity Epidemic: Our Community's Response to Change This Trend" sponsored by Healthy DuPage and the Daily Herald. Rochelle spoke about the role that school food plays in this problem and strategies to make school food healthier. She will be participating in two upcoming panels at the Illinois Food Security Summit to be held November 7-9 in Bloomingdale, Illinois. Contact Mike at mike@healthyschoolscampaign.org if you are interested in having Rochelle speak at your event.

Campaign to Participate in Illinois 
Association of School Board Administrators Conference
The Campaign will be hosting a Carousel of Panels at the 71^st Joint Annual Conference of the Illinois Association of School Boards, the Illinois Association of School Administrators, and the Illinois Association of School Business Officials on November 22 in Chicago. The panel, titled "Improving School Environmental Health: Strategies for Healthy Indoor Air," will feature a superintendent, a principal, and a director of transportation and building maintenance from different school districts across the state. These panelists will speak from their experiences and present proven policies and programs that improve indoor air quality.

Quincy Farm-to-School Meeting
In October, the Campaign will be meeting with food service personnel, local farmers, and farmers organizations to discuss developing a farm-to-school program in the Quincy, Illinois area. A similar meeting is being planned for the Bloomington, Illinois area in January. Contact Rochelle by email if your school district is interested in exploring this type of program.

On the Road
>> Rochelle Davis, Executive Director, recently had the opportunity to travel to New York City to meet with school officials on their efforts to improve the school food program.

>> In addition, Louella Hung, Outreach Director, has been awarded a scholarship by the National Environmental Health Association to attend the EPA's upcoming Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Symposium in Washington, D.C.

Staffing Update:

Welcome to Mike Reeb, who recently joined our staff as Program Associate. Thanks and good luck to Sara Plachta-Elliott, our former Program Associate. Sara is continuing her graduate studies at Loyola University. We are also pleased to be working with two interns: Emily Hauer and Lara Lasky.

Laughing Matters:

Plans are underway for the Campaign’s Second Annual Fundraising event—Laughing Matters: Supporting Healthy Environments for Children.  Mark your calendars and join us on March 4, 2004 for an evening of great food and comedy.  Dinner will be prepared by the Illinois Institute of Arts – Culinary Arts Program using the freshest, healthiest ingredients available.  The evening will be topped off with the wit and humor of the Second City e.t.c. Theater. For more information, contact Cheryl Kaplan at cheryl@healthyschoolscampaign.org.

In the News:

Asthma in School Survey Released by National Association of School Nurses

The Dirt on School Bathrooms

Arbitrator Orders St. Charles School District to Pay Staff for Mold-Related Illnesses

Experts Call for Healthier School Meals

Center for Science in the Public Interest Releases Report on School Vending Machines

New Resources:

>> EPA sponsors video-cast titled “Enhancing Pollution Prevention in School and Laboratory Facilities: Lessons Learned from Mercury Reduction Programs.” Click here for more information.

>> EPA launches a new Web site to help high school students explore and learn about their environment and ways to protect it. The site can be found at www.epa.gov/highschool/.