Resources for Educators
Physical Environment
Building, grounds, custodial staff, grounds workers, administration, teachers, other staff
CDC Resources Include:
Increasing Access to Drinking Water in Schools -This detailed CDC guide is an outline on creating a school environment with easy access to healthy water. It includes financial commitments and how to address student views on drinking water.
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/npao/pdf/water_access_in_schools_508.pdf
Water Access -This is the CDC’s resource for educators on the importance of water access within schools and how they can implement more water drinking for students.
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/npao/wateraccess.htm
Committee for Children: Safer Playgrounds: Assessing Layout, Supervision, and Staff Training -This is a Public Playground Safety Handbook describing in detail how to create a safe playground and what different equipment is necessary.
https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/325.pdf
Consumer Product Safety Commission: Playground Safety -To ensure the least amount of injuries possible, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has created instructions on what a safe playground includes and how to do safety checks.
https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/safety-topics/child-safety/playgrounds
EPA Resources Include:
Creating Healthy Indoor Air Quality in Schools -Air quality in schools is incredibly important for learning and cognitive development, so the EPA has created a resource to analyze and promote safe air within schools. It includes webinars and actions to take for healthy air quality.
http://www.epa.gov/iaq-schools
Your Drinking Water -To ensure the water provided within your school is at a safe level, this link describes what is a safe water source and important regulations. It includes many resources on how to ensure safe drinking water accessibility.
http://www.epa.gov/your-drinking-water
Harvard School of Public Health Prevention Research Center: Keep it Flowing: A Practical Guide to School Drinking Water Planning, Maintenance & Repair -The Harvard Prevention Research Center put together a guide on maintaining healthy drinking water and how to repair so that it stays safe to drink.
https://cdn1.sph.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/84/2014/09/Keep-It-Flowing.pdf
National Program for Playground Safety: Online Training -This online training is made for those working with children outside on the playground. It includes certifications and training for playground instructors.
http://playgroundsafety.org/training/online-training/available-courses
RMC Health Resources Include:
Physical Environment -RMC Health wrote a guideline on the importance of keeping a school’s physical environment a safe and healthy place for youth.
https://www.rmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/7-physical-environment-smart-guide.pdf
School Climate -RMC Health wrote guidance for instructors on keeping a school climate healthy for youth. They address all areas that are important to keep an eye on while their schools develop.
https://www.rmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IssueBrief_School-Climate.pdf
SHAPE America: Strategies for Recess in Schools -Following the recommendation for kids of 60 minutes of physical activity each day, SHAPE America put together instructions on how recess can be developed to ensure that minimum is reached by all students.