© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. A Healthful and Safe School Environment: Protecting the Health and Safety of Students, Faculty, and Staff Chapter 3

© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. Need for Supportive Environmental Conditions in Schools Effective action to create and maintain a healthful and safe school environment requires cooperation from the following: –Teachers as advocates, including school staff members –Students’ involvement –Parent and community Involvement

© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. Temperature and Ventilation Temperatures that are too high deplete energy from students Temperatures that are too low can make students restless and inattentive Optimal classroom temperature should range between degrees Fahrenheit During humid and/or hot days, make sure students are hydrating on a regular basis

© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. Sanitation and Cleanliness Sanitation is the protection of health and prevention of disease by removing filth and infectious materials Personal hand-washing procedures should be stressed among all students and school personnel All schools should have a standard policy promoting this important concept

© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. Other Physical Conditions Here are some possible conditions that could impact a student’s well-being –Optimal space for physical activity –Hidden spaces –Storage of chemicals –Sun exposure –Animals in the classrooms

© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. Providing a Safe School Environment The important concepts are as follows: –Teacher responsibilities –Safe school transportation –Safe playgrounds –Disaster and emergency preparedness

© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. Teacher’s Responsibilities Proper reporting of accidents/injuries Assessing/correcting potential safety hazards Providing proper first aid when needed Establishing safety procedures in the classroom Providing appropriate supervision of students at all times

© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. Liability Protection and Safety Guidelines The major aspect of safety liability is negligence Negligence is the failure to conduct oneself in conformity with standards established by law for the protection of others against risk of injury When an injury occurs, a teacher may be held liable as the cause due to carelessness Complete and report all accidents following any injury

© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. Safe Transportation All schools should have a safe drop-off and pick-up zone Adequate adult supervision should be provided at all times All vehicles should be driven in a safe manner while on school premises If public transportation is involved, precautions should be taken to promote safety of each individual

© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. Safe Playgrounds More injuries occur to elementary students on the playground than in any other place Schools are responsible for providing safe equipment Injuries usually involve falling or jumping from playground equipment Maintaining high safety standards will reduce injuries

© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Schools must be ready to deal with a variety of emergencies Planning is of the utmost importance Emergency planning committees develop and implement school emergency plans After a plan is developed, students and staff should be trained on an annual basis

© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. Characteristics of a Secure Physical Environment (U.S Dept. of Education, 1998) Supervise access to facilities/grounds Reduce class/school size Adjust time to minimize traffic in hallways Conduct a building safety audit with safety experts Close school campuses during lunch Adopt a school uniform policy Arrange supervision during critical time periods Prohibit students from meeting in critical areas Have adults visible throughout the school Stagger dismissal times/lunch periods Monitor surrounding school grounds Coordinate with local police regarding safe routes to/from campus

© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. Zero Tolerance Policies School or district policy that mandates predetermined consequences or punishments for specific offenses Most schools have “zero tolerance” for firearms and other weapons Drugs, tobacco, and violence are others that have been included

© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. Sexual Harassment Unwanted and unwelcome sexual behavior Children and adolescents are also victimized Conduct and/or words that sexually offend or demean are examples Title IX prohibits harassment and sexual discrimination in all public/private educational institutions

© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. Supporting a Drug-Free School Environment Research shows that protective schools can be effective for decreasing drug use The following are considered important to create a physical and psychological atmosphere for youth development –Clear policies on drug possession –Positive peer programs –Drug-free activities –Drug-free school zones –Tobacco-free school environments

© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. Protecting Against Bloodborne Pathogens Pathogenic microorganisms in blood that cause disease Can result in HIV, Hepatitis B and C Universal precautions are steps all schools should adopt Avoid exposure, especially direct contact with bodily fluids

© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. Supporting Healthy Eating and Nutrition Information given during class on proper nutrition should be reinforced with food served in schools Policies and practices should be consistent Teamwork is needed among teachers, parents, etc., as a shared responsibility Schools are urged to implement the “Ten Keys to Promote Healthy Eating in Schools,” (USDA, 2000)

© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. School Food Services Reinforcement of healthful eating behaviors should reflect the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Nutrition education needs to be offered to food service personnel regularly School meals that are federally funded must meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans This includes: –School Lunch programs –School Breakfast programs –Special Milk programs

© 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved. Chapter 3 A Healthful and Safe School Environment: Protecting the Health and Safety of Students, Faculty, and Staff