All News Releases By Date

BENSALEM SCHOOLS PROVE THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS!

Release Date: 12/16/1998
Contact Information: Carol Febbo (215) 814-2076 & David Sternberg (215) 814-5548

BENSALEM, Pa. - Today the Bensalem School District was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for combating indoor air pollution.  During a recognition ceremony at Shafer Middle School, three pilot schools -- Cornwells Elementary School, Belmont Hills Elementary School and Shafer Middle School were awarded the "Tools for Schools" certificate.

The certificates were given to the pilot schools for using EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools kit.  The kit shows schools how to carry out a  plan of action to prevent and resolve indoor air problems at little or no cost.  

"We’re extremely pleased with Bensalem School District’s support for Tools for Schools, especially its involvement with the pilot schools program.  Bensalem is showing how much it cares about protecting our children’s health by participating in this program," said EPA Regional Administrator W. Michael McCabe.

Each school day, one in five Americans occupies a school building.  For these people, Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools offers sound guidance on how to improve air quality and create a healthier environment for children and staff.  Good indoor air quality  contributes to a favorable learning environment for children and better productivity for teachers.  Schools in the U.S. are spending increasing amounts of their limited resources -- time and money -- attempting to fix indoor air quality problems.

A recent report by the U.S. Government Accounting Office, the Condition of America’s Schools, notes that over half of the schools surveyed reported at least one environmental problem which affects indoor air quality.  The voluntary guidance in Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools can save schools time and money so that attention can be directed to educating children.

"I’m proud to be part of a program that not only makes environmental sense for the school district, but protects the health of the children, teachers, and staff as well," said Tom Vasek, indoor air quality coordinator for the Bensalem School District.

Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools is co-sponsored by the National PTA, National Education Association, Council for American Private Education, Association of School Business Officials, American Federation of Teachers, and the American Lung Association.  For more information about the Tools for Schools program, and how to improve indoor air quality, call the U.S. EPA at 215-814-2704.


#


99-73