Prominent speaker series features members of Congress, top researchers, and advocates discussing the future of healthy learning environments
The 2026 celebration of National Healthy Schools Day lasts all week! It’s organized around the theme Healthy Schools at 30: The Path Forward.
These virtual events are free and open to the public and will include opportunities for audience questions.
Healthy Schools Network and the Coalition for Healthier Schools will mark the 30th anniversary of the healthy schools movement by featuring a national speaker series and expert panels on April 13–17, 2026. These free, virtual events will convene policymakers, federal health officials, scientists, educators, and advocates to reflect on three decades of progress and explore the path forward for improving environmental health in America’s schools.
Launched three decades ago, the healthy schools movement has helped transform how schools address indoor air quality, toxic exposures, climate risks, and other environmental hazards affecting children and school staff. Today, as schools face growing challenges—from aging infrastructure to climate-driven disasters—leaders across sectors are advancing solutions that ensure every child can learn in a safe and healthy environment.
National Healthy Schools Day 2026 is an opportunity to take stock of progress, highlight emerging challenges, and bring together leaders to help shape the future of the movement for healthy schools.
Key Events
Monday, April 13 | 2:00 – 3:00 pm EDT
Congressional Leadership and School Funding: Outlook for Federal Action, a conversation with Congressman Bobby Scott (VA).
Tuesday, April 14 | 11:00 am – 12:00 noon EDT
Federal Research & Children’s Environmental Health Outlook,featuring NIOSH Director John Howard, MD, and EPA Deputy Associate Administrator for Science Maureen Gwinn, PhD, DABT.
Wednesday, April 15 | 1:00 – 2:30 pm EDT
Climate Resilience for Schools: Why Act Now?, featuring climate resilience experts Joel Smith, MPP, climate change impacts and adaptation researcher (retired), and Joel Scheraga, PhD, EPA senior executive (retired) and Senior Advisor, Healthy Schools Network.
Thursday, April 16 | 1:00 – 2:30 pm EDT
Indoor Air Quality and Schools: State Policy Pathways and Implementation Strategies, featuring Representative Megan Cotter, Rhode Island House of Representatives, Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, International WELL Building Institute, Georgia Lagoudas, PhD, Senior Fellow, Brown University School of Public Health, and Rebecca Padilla, MS, Senior Manager, Nationwide Health Promotions, American Lung Association.
Friday, April 17 | 11:30 am – 12:30 pm EDT
Game-Changing Federal Legislation for Healthy Schools, remarks by Congressman Paul Tonko (NY) focusing on the bipartisan Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act (H.R. 5123).
Friday, April 17 | 1:00 – 2:30 pm EDT
The Movement at 30: Reflections & the Road Ahead
Capstone event celebrating National Healthy Schools Day with a conversation reflecting on the evolution of the healthy schools movement and identifying priorities for the next decade. Featured panelists include Lynn Goldman, MD, MPH, MS, Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health and Dean Emeritus, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, and former Assistant Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and William Datema, DrPH, MS, MCHES, Chief Executive Officer, Society for Public Health Education and President-Elect, National PTA.
