Physical Environment

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* 1. Thank you for taking the time to participate in the Panther Valley Healthy Schools survey.  Please select the answer that best describes you.

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* 2. Does the school provide a safe physical environment, inside and outside school buildings, by following all of these practices?
*  Flooring surfaces are slip-resistant and stairways have sturdy guardrails
*  Poisons and chemical hazards are labeled and are stored in locked cabinets
*  First-aid equipment and notices describing safety procedures are available
*  First-aid/school nurse office is equipped with running water
*  All areas of the school have sufficient lighting, and secluded areas are sealed off or supervised
*  Smoke alarms, sprinklers, and fire extinguishers are installed and operational
*  Pedestrians are offered special protection, including crossing guards, escorts, crosswalks, and safe bus and car loading
*  A variety of methods are used to keep weapons out of the school environment
*  School buses do not idle while loading or unloading students, to reduce emission of diesel exhaust and fine particles
*  Spaces and facilities for physical activity (including playgrounds and sports fields) meet or exceed recommended safety standards
*  The campus and buildings are pleasant and welcoming (e.g., uncluttered, uncrowded, well-lit, graffiti-free)

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* 3.
Does your school have a school environmental health program that addresses each of the following components to maintain a healthy physical environment?
*  Effective cleaning and maintenance
*  Mold and moisture prevention
*  Chemical and environmental contaminant hazard reduction
*  Ventilation maintenance
*  Pest prevention and pesticide exposure reduction

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* 4. Does your school take steps to effectively manage an environmental health and/or safety program in each of the following ways?
*  Organize key school staff to develop, implement, and monitor the environmental health and safety program, based on an established action plan and tracking system
*  Communicate the goals of the program to school staff, teachers, students and/or families
*  Regularly assess the school environment for potential health risks
*  Train staff on how to use Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
*  Develop plans to address potential environmental health and safety risks
*  Evaluate the implementation policies and practices developed as part of the program

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* 5. Does your school provide professional development and training for key staff (e.g., facility manager, maintenance staff, custodian, teachers, etc.) on managing school environmental health and safety?

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* 6. Does your school encourage student involvement in promoting school environmental health in each of the following ways?
*  Incorporates environmental health curricula and lesson plans in classroom learning
*  Encourages students to complete school projects related to environmental health
*  Engages students in extracurricular activities related to environment or environmental health
*  Gives students opportunities to volunteer to contribute to maintaining school environmental health

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* 7. Does your school consistently implement all of the following school cleaning and maintenance practices?
*  Schedule routine cleaning when students are not in the building
*  Use cleaning products as instructed on the product label
*  Store cleaning products in locations that are not accessible to students
*  Maintain and up-to-date inventory of all cleaning products used
*  Regularly clean and remove dust from hard, impermeable surfaces with a water-dampened cloth
*  Wipe up paint chips with a wet sponge or rag
*  Vacuum using high-efficiency vacuums and filters (e.g., high efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA))
*  Ensure garbage is store in appropriate containers and disposed of properly at the end of each day
*  Use floor mats at building entrances to reduce the amount of dust and soil tracked into school buildings
*  Thoroughly clean kitchens, cafeterias, and other food use areas
*  Monitor the interior of the roof for water damage
*  Inspect windows and doors for physical damage and improper seals
*  Ensure all windows and doors are functioning properly
*  Cut back overgrown vegetation near exterior walls
*  Inspect ceiling and duct work for deteriorating tiles and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) lining, as well as loose insulation

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* 8. Does your school consistently use the safest and lowest risk approach to controlling problems with pests by implementing the following integrated pest managements practices?
*  Monitor potential pest infestations with regular and detailed inspections
*  Use adequate sanitation practices (e.g., cover trash cans, place dumpsters away from buildings and entryways) and structural modifications (sealing holes and openings and repair screening, door sweeps) to minimize pests
*  Use proper food handling, preparation, and storage techniques
*  Use pest removal strategies first before using pesticides, such as sticky traps, pheromone traps, vacuuming and insect light traps
*  Use low risk pesticides (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides) after all other non-pesticide removal strategies have been tried and when no alternative measures are practical
*  Be sure no students and staff members are in the area
*  Refrain from calendar based pesticide applications; use baits when possible
*  Notify parents, employees, and students of all pesticide applications

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* 9. Thanks again for participating.  Please provide any comments or feedback regarding any of the survey questions and/or suggestions on how to improve the health and wellness of Panther Valley.

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