EPA introduces School Site Guidelines
SMART thinking! The draft version of the EPA’s new School Site Guidelines are now out for review at
http://www.epa.gov/schools/siting/criteria.html.
According to the website:
State and local policies should support school sites that facilitate physical activity, healthy behaviors, and healthy communities. School siting decisions both influence growth and development patterns and are influenced by these patterns. Many communities across the country are increasingly interested in ensuring that growth and development meet multiple community goals, including revitalization efforts, fiscal responsibility, increasing transportation choices, providing opportunities to live, work, play, and attend school in convenient locations, and, importantly, limiting greenhouse gas emissions, criteria air pollutants (nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide), and air toxics. Locating schools in the neighborhoods of the students they serve encourages students to walk and bicycle between home, school, and centers of community activity. In addition, the family’s access to school playgrounds and facilities encourages physical activity outside of school time. The location of schools in neighborhoods may allow more children to participate in after school activities sponsored by the school such as clubs, intramural sports, or interscholastic athletics, or activities sponsored by the community by local libraries, parks, and community centers. These are important factors for the community. Schools located within neighborhoods will also increase the likelihood of access using public transportation for students, faculty, and staff located both in the neighborhood as well as in surrounding communities.
Finally – we are seeing some great advice about school siting that involves the health and well-being of the WHOLE community. Thanks EPA!
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What do YOU think? Comment above left.
About The Author
admin
Molly Smith is an educational planner, facilitator, writer, researcher, speaker and community member. She is a nationally-recognized authority on all aspects of K-12 planning as well as career/technical facilities and adaptive reuse for schools with over 17 years of experience. Molly has addressed number practioner-based audiences at national educational conventions. Her skill as a facilitator allows her to generate discussion, separate extraneous information, and build upon collective input to create consensus.
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