Pre-Session: Healthy Schools 101: Getting Started with the IAQ TfS Program

This hands-on, introductory session for participants new to IAQ management and the IAQ TfS Program will provide a foundation to build upon throughout the Symposium.  Participants will learn how to use the IAQ TfS Kit as the basis for developing a comprehensive IAQ management program for their schools.  Award-winning faculty school district speakers will detail the concrete steps they took to get their sustainable IAQ programs up and running.

Day 1 Welcome and Framing

Indoor Air Quality, Health, and Student Performance

At the heart of all school district activities is the desire to provide a high quality education.  One of the most important goals of any school IAQ management program is simple: to create safe, healthy, and productive learning environments for all students.  This session, focused on the important linkages between IAQ, health, and student performance will provide an overview of the latest findings in IAQ research on the linkages between maintaining indoor environments and improving student health and achievement.

Break

The IAQ Tools for Schools Approach: Providing a Framework for Success

In the 12 years of its existence, the IAQ TfS Program has been implemented in thousands of districts.  This session will introduce the approach and common elements of success that are enabling school districts to develop, enhance, and sustain healthy learning environments in schools.

Benchmarking for Success: Accelerating your IAQ Management Program's Results

Participants will run a powerful real-time program assessment exercise to benchmark their programs against best-in-class IAQ management programs. This information will help participants identify specific opportunities for accelerating their program results and developing their district-wide game plans for success throughout the Symposium.

Meeting Your Partners: A Networking Lunch

The Framework for Effective IAQ Management Programs: Putting in Place the Pieces that Work

This session will showcase faculty school districts and how the Framework for Effective Schools IAQ Programs: Six Key Drivers is in action in their districts. The IAQ in Schools Change Package, the underlying theory, and its use as a planning and implementation tool for developing successful IAQ management programs will be presented.

Faculty School District Breakouts

In these interactive sessions, participants will engage leaders from faculty school districts and gather more in-depth information about how these districts initiated and sustained their successful IAQ management programs. Faculty will build upon the previous general session by providing participants with specific examples of how the Framework for IAQ Program Success: Six Key Drivers has formed the basis for an effective system. These sessions will provide participants ample opportunity to ask questions of the faculty and learn how to incorporate successful approaches into individual action plans.

Break

Action Learning for Commitment: Engaging Program Leaders

During this session, faculty school districts and other award winning programs will be available for small group, unstructured question and answer sessions with Symposium participants.  Draw upon the wealth of experience that is available from the Symposium faculty.

Awards Ceremony and Reception

Join in a celebration to honor the 2008 winners of the prestigious IAQ TfS awards! Light hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Day 2 Opening and Framing

Moving From Theory to Practice: Taking the System and Making it Work in Your District

This session will describe the technical elements that comprise an effective IAQ management program in school districts. Learn about the key elements that are critical to any successful program and the wealth of technical resources that are available to assist you in putting in place the components for success.

Break

Concurrent Sessions

Using IAQ as a Teaching and Learning Tool in Your District

IAQ problems affect kids, and they can often play a key role in IAQ management, both at school and in their homes.   This session will describe a new educational resource for integrating IAQ issues into classroom curricula and highlight various activities for student participation.

Finding Solutions: The Virtual Walk-Through

This interactive session will describe how to conduct a facility walk-through to identify solutions to common IAQ problems. Using visual examples and case studies, the presenters will describe how to use the IAQ TfS checklists as a basis for a walk-through investigation.

New Options for Creating High Performance Schools

The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Schools program and the Collaborative for High Performing Schools (CHPS) are just a few of the growing programs targeted to creating and maintaining green, high-performing schools. This session will focus on the current state of “green” in schools and help participants understand the pros and cons of various green programs and practices. High-performance school case studies will be presented to illustrate how schools are using these programs to “go green.”

Concurrent Sessions Repeat

Regional Networking Lunch

Enjoy lunch while you network with colleagues in your EPA region.

Breakout Sessions

Mold and Moisture: Double Trouble for Schools

Mold problems in schools can lead to health problems for school occupants, significant financial costs, and loss of credibility within the community. Participants will learn the basics about mold, myths about mold, when mold testing is necessary and when it's not, and practical solutions for mold prevention and management. Bring your questions for this interactive and informative session.

Fresh Air: Optimal HVAC Management for Improved Health

This practical discussion of school heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems will highlight the importance of proper design, commissioning, maintenance, and operations of school equipment. Speakers will review the latest, innovative tools and technologies available for school facility managers and operations and maintenance staff and highlight the importance of proper ventilation as a key component in providing healthy learning environments.

Furnishing High Performance Schools

Choosing the appropriate materials is critical for designing and furnishing high performance schools. Making the right choices early will ensure that your high performance school has a healthy indoor environment. This session will provide attendees with effective strategies for choosing building materials, furnishings, and mechanical equipment that contribute to healthy IAQ in schools.

Managing Radon in Schools

This session will offer an introduction to radon health risks and their management in schools. Presenters will showcase highly effective radon-in-schools projects and discuss successful methods for addressing radon risks in schools.

Creating Asthma-Friendly Schools

Over 5 million school-age children - that’s 3 students in an average classroom of 30 - have asthma.  Asthma is a leading cause of absenteeism accounting for millions of missed school days each year.  Asthma-friendly schools are those that create safe and supportive learning environments for students with asthma and have policies and procedures that allow students to successfully manage their asthma.  Learn about new and updated resources and exciting Asthma-Friendly Schools Awards programs that help students with asthma stay healthy and ready to learn.

Green Cleaning: Products and Practices

How can you effectively clean your school without causing health problems for students and staff? Is it possible to save money and time while maintaining clean and healthy facilities? This session will highlight key aspects of a green cleaning program, including environmentally preferable cleaning products, training, policy recommendations, and public awareness initiatives.

An Integrated Approach to School Health and Safety:  HealthySEAT 2.0

This session provides detailed information and a live demonstration of the newly released Version 2.0 of HealthySEAT and how it can assist school districts in evaluating all of their facilities for key environmental, safety, and health issues. HealthySEAT integrates all of EPA's programs for schools as well as other federal mandatory requirements and voluntary programs into one easy-to-use software tool.

Accessing the Technical Information: Setting the Stage

This session will prepare attendees for participation in the following session by providing a framework for engaging with technical experts.

Accessing the Technical Information: Engaging with Experts

During this session, technical breakout speakers and experts from EPA school based programs will be available for small group, unstructured question and answer sessions with Symposium participants.  Ask the questions that are most important to you about the components of an effective IAQ management program.  Speakers will include representatives from other EPA school-based programs including: Clean School Bus USA, ENERGY STAR® for K-12 School Districts, the Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign, and Integrated Pest Management.

EPA Breakfast with Network Partners

Day 3 Opening and Framing

Developing Your Game Plan for Success

In this dynamic session, participants develop “Game Plans” and declare commitments for achieving bold improvements in your IAQ management program. Hear how your peers plan to overcome obstacles, implement effective solutions, and collaborate to improve school environments across the country. In this session, you will find the ideas, guidance, and inspiration you need to take effective action to improve IAQ and student and staff health, satisfaction, and performance in your schools.

Break

The IAQ Schools Connector in Action: A Discussion of IAQ Hot Topics

Each year, new science emerges, new products hit the market, and new techniques for addressing IAQ emerge.  This "open space" exercise will allow participants the opportunity to discuss the issues that are most pressing to them in developing and sustaining an effective IAQ management program.  These participant-generated “hot topics” will also drive IAQ Schools Connector conversations throughout the year.

Finding Our Leadership Voices: Leaving in Action

Adjourn