Classrooms

Classrooms

PHOTO © MONKEY BUSINESS IMAGES

While most efforts to make students healthier have gone to nutritional and physical education (PE) programs, protecting the health of the classroom and understanding the financial benefits of healthful spaces are too often missing elements.

Protecting Classroom Health

Healthy classrooms are the bedrock on which we help build minds to be at their best, physically, mentally and emotionally.

Like personal health, classroom health involves many factors. The Healthy and Safe Facility Handbook provides foundational guidance on indoor air quality, water quality, desired ambient sound level, lighting, cleaning, disinfecting, ergonomics and more; as part of an ecosystem.

Promoting Movement

CDC reports that one third of adults are obese, and childhood and adolescent obesity have increased dramatically in recent years.

Promoting movement in classrooms is among the newest and most promising steps to help combat obesity, sluggish bodies and minds.

One example is adjustable standing desks, as the act of standing burns more calories and improves blood flow to the brain, and an adjustment allows for sitting as desired. Evidence shows that a 170-pound person burns only 139 calories sitting vs 186 calories an hour standing.

Chairs that swivel and provide flexible back support enable motion for a healthy amount of fidgeting, plus allow rotating the chair in the direction of the instructor or instruction.

Since standing desks and new seating may not be practical in the short term, take regular stretching and standing breaks.

Protect the Air

Check carbon dioxide (CO2) levels (from exhalation), temperature and humidity using a portable meter (less than a $130 expense), and work with the HVAC department to adjust the ambient environment and increase ventilation as needed.

Promote Mental, Emotional Health

Depression and anxiety are all too common. A 2015 National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) report said that 12.5 percent of the U.S. population aged 12 to 17 had a major depressive episode, and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) said anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the U.S. age 18 and older, or 18 percent of the population. ADAA also reports that major depressive disorders are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15 to 44.

Be Easy to Talk To

Look for signs of problems, seek out students that are withdrawn or sullen and be approachable. Talk about mental/emotional health in a matter-of-fact way. Get familiar with, suggest and post local mental health resources.

Financial Benefits

Since making schools healthy in order to produce healthy students is a focus of the Healthy and Safe Facility Handbook, be assured that producing healthy classrooms does not cost, it pays, when measured in student outcomes.

Per the CDC: “Healthy students are better learners. Healthy students are better on all levels of academic achievement, academic performance (class grades, standardized tests and graduation rates), education behavior (attendance, behavior) and cognitive skills and attitudes (concentration, memory and mood).

“Healthy, successful students help build strong communities. Investing in the health of students contributes to healthy communities in the future.”

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Fellowes Launches New 3D Modular, Product Configurators

    Contract interiors and architectural solutions provider Fellowes recently announced the launch of new 3D modular and product configurators for several of its product lines, according to a news release. The new products offer SIF file integration and pricing for the Volo, Markerboards, Sena, and Rising product lines in connection with 3D Cloud, which provides 3D product visualization and 3D digital asset management.

  • Austin International School Library Renovation

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Austin International School has been recognized with an EDS 2025 Grand Prize award in the category of Renovation.

  • Springfield Breaks Ground on $53.7M Pipkin Middle School Rebuild

    Construction is underway on a new, state-of-the-art Pipkin Middle School in Springfield, Mo., a major step in Springfield Public Schools’ (SPS) long-term facility improvement plan, according to local news. The $53.7-million project officially broke ground in early June, following years of planning and community input aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure and addressing student capacity concerns.

  • New Jersey PreK–12 School Breaks Ground on New STEM Building

    Saddle River Day School (SRDS) in Saddle River, N.J., recently announced that it has broken ground on the new Dr. Kristen Walsh Hall of Science & Entrepreneurship, according to a news release. The school partnered with DIGroup Architecture for the design of the new facility, which will provide the school with space to expand its STEM and business education classes.

Digital Edition