our mission

The mission of the greenschools program is to create healthier/"greener" learning environments in schools.

By stating healthier & "greener" learning environments we are looking at the individual's body as an environment, as well as the physical space of the school.

We will specifically address issues relating to:

1. Indoor Air Quality
2. Healthy Food and Habits/Nutrition
3. The 3Rs: Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling

We aim to protect the health of every individual in our schools and our planet by teaching how to make more environmentally respectful and responsible decisions.

Why GREEN our Schools?

There is a lot of talk these days about "The Greening of our Schools". Some schools are jumping in headfirst and see the need for change. Other schools are not quite there yet, and are waiting for things like funding, parent buy in, and community support. The truth of the matter is that we can wait no longer! Our students, our teachers, our staff, and our planet are not as healthy as they could be, and it is our job to do something about it!

Did you know the average American spends 90% of their time indoors? Did you know The World Health Organization estimates that the environment significantly affects more than 80% of major diseases? That includes childhood cancer, diabetes, and asthma. In addition, more than 1/3 of diseases in children under the age of 5 are caused by environmental exposures. Did you know that 1 in 3 people are affected by allergies? Did you know 1 out of 13 people have asthma, and that asthma is the number one cause of school absenteeism?

According to The EPA, more than 53 million children and 6 million adults in the united States spend their days inside our elementary and secondary schools. How can we turn our backs and not address important issues like Indoor Air Quality, Nutrition, and Global Warming? How can we expect our students to learn, and our teachers to teach in environments that are not up to par?

It is impossible to solve a problem until we understand the complexities and the root of what are dealing with. All of these important issues fall under the GREEN umbrella. These are the issues that green schools, a non-profit organization whose mission is to create Greener & Healthier learning environments, addresses. We believe in order to bring about positive change; the first step is always education.

greenschools offers a variety of educational programs for those involved with the school community. The greenschools organization trains administrators, staff, students and community members on topics that matter! greenschools offers practical advice, projects, student assemblies, alternative fundraisers to selling junk food, wrapping paper, and magazines, and more...

Executive Director and Founder, Robin Organ, knows all too well the dangers of environmental exposures and their effects on human health. Just a few years ago, Robin Organ nearly died from repeated anaphylaxis and toxic overload. Robin had always suffered from allergies and a weakened immune system. Little did she know that one day, her immune system would overflow to the point where she became ALLERGIC TO EVERYTHING [chemicals, foods, fabric, cleaning supplies, vitamins, etc.]! Robin and her 2 young daughters have suffered immensely due to environmental illnesses, but please read on because this story has a HAPPY ENDING. Due to the work of numerous doctors [holistic + traditional] and authors, Robin was able to learn the tools to choose health for herself and for her girls. All three girls are living a much healthier lifestyle and were able to get off much medication that was repeatedly prescribed. Like many other families, the Organ family became educated in practicing environmental controls and in reading labels. They were able to implement simple strategies around their home that made a difference.

Robin was inspired. After teaching for nearly a decade, Robin saw greenschools as her way to give back this learned education to those involved with the school community. greenschools has helped numerous schools get rid of toxic products and GO GREEN with non-toxic cleaning products. greenschools has also helped schools implement safer practices and policies when it comes to the health of our children and our planet.

To find out more information, and/or how to bring greenschools to your community go to: www.projectgreenschools.org

Sincerely,
Robin Organ-Executive Director & Founder of greenschools

A HEALTHY CHILD

A healthy child does not get cold after cold, or chronic infections. A healthy child does not need to stop and worry about allergic exposures, chemicals, dietary restrictions, taking medicine, inhalers, shots, or even having surgeries. The trouble is, when we look around us, we see that our health and our children's health is not what it should/could be. Our schools have the opportunity to help students and staff for the 8+ hours they spend inside. Together, we can make The Green Difference!

Healthy Schools

In the US, there are approximately 54 million children and seven million adults (75% female) in the nation's 120,000 public and private schools.

Recent peer-reviewed, published reports have found that healthy indoor environments can reduce asthma and upper respiratory infections among school children, as well as promote personnel health, safety and productivity, and improve achievement. Asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism due to chronic illness and a leading occupational disease of custodians and teachers. Healthy indoor environments are also associated with improvements in children's learning and behavior, and therefore can yield even greater benefits and savings than energy efficiencies alone.

EPA has estimated that up to half of all schools may have problems with indoor air quality; the GAO has reported that 25% of schools are structurally unsound. greenschools aims at improving indoor air quality with educational programs such as Air Quality Audits, National Healthy Schools Day, and other Training Sessions available for Teachers, Administrators, Parents and Community Members.