Healthy Schools Network has always relied upon generous donations from individuals and groups like you to encourage and support our work on behalf of children and schools, and to provide NewsSlice and other resources free of charge.
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Our goal is providing every child an opportunity to thrive in safe and healthy school environments. You’ve seen our efforts in NewsSlice and on our website—from advocating in Congress for stronger support for schools to growing our coalition and communication networks to keep school environmental health in the national spotlight. Your support has helped us build a strong foundation on which the movement for healthier schools continues to grow.
We are facing stronger headwinds than ever before. The Trump administration’s proposed cuts to EPA, CDC, and the Department of Education have put all children at risk—but together with partners, we’re pushing back. We’ve met with members of Congress, built new alliances, and pressed the President’s MAHA commission to recognize that any successful strategy to make our children healthy again must prioritize school environmental health.
Our influential advocacy for healthy schools complements our longstanding reputation for providing trusted resources and information for schools and their communities. Our National Healthy Schools Day webinars convened leaders across the country to discuss how schools can prepare for extreme weather, strengthen indoor air quality, stay open safely and longer, and support children coping with trauma. In our biweekly NewsSlice we’ve highlighted successes from state initiatives on indoor air, community action on PFAS contamination, PCBs, and parent–teacher leadership in making schools healthier.
Please see our summary of Annual Highlights for a snapshot of our activities and plans.
Your support—whether through your time, voice, or contributions—means the world to us and to the 55 million school children who deserve healthful learning spaces. Together, we must and we will keep fighting for healthy learning environments for every child.
News
Great News! Representatives Tonko and Fitzpatrick Champion Indoor Air Quality in Schools
Healthy Schools Network enthusiastically applauds Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) for introducing the Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act. Their bipartisan bill addresses one of the most important priorities for protecting kids’ health: the quality of the indoor air inside schools and childcare facilities. Healthy Schools Network is pleased to have provided early input into drafting the legislation.
The bill directs EPA to assess indoor air quality nationwide, update science-based guidelines, and support schools and childcare centers with tools and best practices to reduce harmful exposures. It also codifies and expands the work of EPA’s Indoor Environments Division.
“No one should have to suffer the consequences of poor indoor air quality, least of all our kids,” Congressman Tonko said in announcing the bill. Congressman Fitzpatrick underscored the urgency: “Clean air isn’t optional—it’s essential for every student and educator.”
The bill already has the support of leading medical, education, labor, environmental, and building science organizations—including Healthy Schools Network, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Federation of Teachers, ASHRAE, the American Lung Association, the National Education Association, U.S. Green Building Council, and many other leading advocates for children and healthy schools.
We strongly support passage of the Tonko-Fitzpatrick bill and will provide updates and timely opportunities for you to show your support as the bill moves forward.
You can read Congressman Tonko’s full announcement HERE, and download the bill’s fact sheet HERE.
Guest Article
Does your child need help at school due to long COVID symptoms? As students return to classrooms this fall, families and schools are still grappling with the lingering impacts of COVID-19.
In this guest article, Kathy L. Reiner, MPH, BA, BSN, RN, AE-C, FNASN, a Healthy Schools Network board member, explains how long COVID can affect children’s learning and what rights and accommodations may be available under federal law. Her timely article urges parents, nurses, and educators to plan ahead and ensure that every child has the support needed to succeed.
