Envision Program: Best Practices and Resources for Schools

Poor indoor air quality in schools has been linked to decreased student and teacher performance and increased absenteeism. The Envision Program best practices are intended to provide school administrators, nurses, maintenance and building services staff with tools to use when planning for renovations, preventative maintenance, pest management and control, monitoring of drinking water, and other building activities. These best practices may reduce the scope of potential environmental health problems identified by the Legislature under Act 125.

Learn about the Envision Program

Green Cleaning

Green cleaning programs rely on the use of environmentally sensitive chemical products and high performance cleaning equipment. Green cleaning products and equipment clean as effectively as traditional products, while lessening harmful impacts on people’s health and the environment.

In 2012, the Vermont General Assembly passed Act 68, requiring commercial vendors to sell only third-party certified environmentally preferable cleaning products to schools. An effective green cleaning program requires specialized cleaning products, equipment and procedures.

Resources

Below are resources to support you in incorporating best practices into your school's Environmental Health Management Plan.

TopicTitleDescription
Indoor Air QualityIndoor Air Quality in SchoolsResources from the EPA including indoor air quality best practices, understanding benefits, healthy school renovations, managing indoor air quality, and more.
Indoor Air QualityTools for Schools Action KitThis kit from the EPA shows schools how to carry out a practical plan to improve indoor air problems at little- or no-cost using straightforward activities and in-house staff.
AsthmaVermont Asthma ProgramLearn about what causes asthma, how it can be managed, and how to create an Asthma Action Plan.
AsthmaVermont School Health ProgramFind out about collaborations with school personnel and statewide education leadership and the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model.
Green CleaningThe Basics of Green CleaningThis manual outlines products and equipment in green cleaning, disinfectants/sanitizers, cleaning methods/practices, worker safety, and more.
Green CleaningGreen Cleaning Products Law SummaryReview the requirements of Act 68, which relates to the protection of students’ health by requiring the use of safe cleaning product.
Green CleaningEnvironmentally Preferable Cleaning Contractors ListSearch the State’s list of contractors to purchase environmentally preferable cleaning products.
Green CleaningGreen Cleaning Myths VideoThis video from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection educates school employees and parents about the hazards of common cleaning products while showing the benefit and effectiveness of using green cleaners.
Green CleaningGreen Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting ToolkitThis toolkit is from Informed Green Solutions with lots of resources, posters and fact sheets.
Green CleaningCleaning Safely in SchoolsInfographic about choosing safer products and using them correctly to keep school environments healthy.
Integrated Pest Management and ControlPesticidesInformation on pesticides from the EPA.
Integrated Pest Management and ControlIntegrated Pest ManagementThe EPA’s introduction to integrated pest management principles and benefits.
Integrated Pest Management and ControlIntegrated Pest Management PrinciplesThe EPA’s description of integrated pest management principles and how integrated pest management programs work.
Integrated Pest Management and ControlManaging Pests in SchoolsLearn from the EPA about why effective pest management in routine cleaning and maintenance is important for a healthy school environment and what you can do.
Integrated Pest Management and ControlPesticides: Use, Effects and Alternatives to Pesticides in SchoolsRead the report from the Government Accountability Office.
Integrated Pest Management and ControlIntegrated Pest Management for Vermont SchoolsInformation from the UVM Extension about tools for implementing an integrated pest management program for your school.
Preventative MaintenanceIndoor Air Quality in Offices and Other Large BuildingsAccess indoor air quality information on school (large) buildings from the EPA and download and Indoor Air Quality Design Guide.
Preventative MaintenanceCreating Healthy Indoor Air Quality in SchoolsFind tools and on-demand training webinars from the EPA to help promote a healthy learning environment at your school.
Indoor Air QualityImprove Indoor Air QualityFind out what actions you can take to improve your school's indoor air quality.
Preventative MaintenanceNational Air Duct Cleaners AssociationAccess resources for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Indoor Air QualityVermont's "Be Idle Free" Law and ResourcesLearn about Vermont’s anti-idling law.
Chemical ManagementToxic Substances Portal (ToxFAQs)Search the Agency of Toxic Substances & Disease Registry's (ATSDR) Portal for information on chemicals.
MoldGuidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi (Mold) in Indoor EnvironmentsFollow these guidelines from the New York City Department of Mental Health and Hygiene to help provide an approach to address potential and observed mold growth on structural materials in school buildings.
MoldMold in School and Commercial BuildingsInformation from the EPA on mold and air quality in school buildings, mold remediation, and resources about mold and large buildings.
Food in SchoolsSharing TablesUse these guidelines to help your school start a sharing table program.
Food in SchoolsGuidance for Food DonationsFollow these guidelines when creating a food donation program for your school.
Food in SchoolsVermont’s Universal Recycling LawLearn about what to do with your school's solid waste.
Green CleaningSafer Cleaning Choices for SchoolsClick on the school in the interactive graphic to find EPA’s Safer Choice cleaning products.
Indoor Air QualityCreating Safer and Healthier Classrooms Without Disinfecting WipesLearn about the health effects of using disinfecting wipes and what to use instead for general classroom cleaning.
Preventative MaintenanceInspection, Repair and Cleaning (IRC) Practices and Lead-Based Paint in SchoolsLearn about how about how to reduce lead-based paint hazards and inspect buildings for chipping or peeling lead-based paint.
Chemical ManagementHazardous Waste Management for SchoolsLearn about how to notify DEC of your school's hazardous waste.
Drinking WaterTesting for Lead in Drinking Water at SchoolsLearn about how and when to test for lead in drinking water.
Preventative MaintenanceEnergy Savings Plus Health GuidelinesLearn how to integrate indoor air quality protections into school energy efficiency retrofits and other building upgrade projects by optimizing the energy efficiency without compromising occupant health.
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