Say goodbye to wasteful bag lunches, plastic water bottles, unhealthy fundraisers, and unhealthy cleaning chemicals that make people sick!  There is so much we can do to make our schools and our planet more green and healthy.

greenschools knows schools and communities can be extremely successful implementing sustainable practices.  A few things to keep in mind:

1. Your school’s Recycling Program — If there isn’t one, it’s time to put that in place.  If you have a program, come up with a plan to reduce even more.
2. Your school’s Cleaning Program — Be sure safer products are in place and don’t forget to reduce the amount of paper products being used.
3. Your school’s Cafeteria Program – Of course the food should be healthy and work to reduce as much waste as possible.  Also, try to buy products that are biodegradable.
4. Does your school have an Outdoor Classroom or Community Garden?  — Beautify, get inspired, and use resources that are readily available in your community.
5. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!  — That goes for energy, water, materials, etc.
6. Use caution with Fundraisers — Many fundraiser waste paper, water, resources, and are completely unhealthy for your children and to all who participate.  For great fundraising resources, contact greenschools.  We partner or consult with green companies that can help.

Please contact me, Robin Organ, Executive Director of greenschools, at info@projectgreenschools.org

Together, we can make The Green Difference!

If your children suffer from allergies, asthma, ADHD, hypersensitivity, cancer, diabetes, or a compromised immune system, then feel empowered and know that there are organization like greenschools, who can help you protect you children and others children while at school.

We have helped numerous schools move to green cleaning programs, reduce toxins at school, and improve wellness policies.

Quick Tips:

• Contact a non-profit organization or government agency that can help.
• Organize a team of key individuals that can affect school policy and change.
• Implement a green cleaning program
• Train all staff and custodial crews on environmental health, products, policies, and best practices.
• Get the word out!
• Involve students, teachers, administration, parents, community members, local politicians, local businesses, and anyone with a vested interest in the school and the greater community.

Please let us know how we can help you, and your school, provide a greener and healthier learning environment.

Your voice is important to us.

Let us know what some of the biggest issues you are running into in your school regarding environmental health. Also, please let us know what grade level is concerned and what state you are from so we can better serve your needs.

Please contact me, Robin Organ, Executive Director of greeneshcools, at info@projectgreenschools.org

Website: http://www.projectgreenschools.org/

Together, we can make The Green Difference!

Classrooms across America are often packed with toxic chemicals, chemicals that have been linked to asthma, allergic reactions, chemical sensitivity, ADHD, autism, and other illnesses.

Additionally, chemicals found in cleaning products, white board markers, carpeting, perfumes, and other products containing harsh chemicals and fragrances contribute to poor indoor air quality. These conditions make our kids sick and increase school absenteeism.

• Did you know 30 million people have suffered from asthma– including 9 million children under the age of 18?
• Did you know over 15 million school days are missed each year due to asthma?

There is a definite correlation to poor air quality and reduced test scores.

More than 53 million children, and about 6 million adults spend a significant portion of their days in more than 120,000 public and private school buildings in the United States.

Many of these buildings are old, in poor condition, and may have environmental conditions that inhibit learning and pose risks to the health of children and staff.

One third of schools (housing about 14 million students) have buildings in need of extensive repair or replacement.

Research reports suggest that students attending schools in poor condition score 11% lower on standardized tests than students who attend schools in good condition.

Although renovating schools can be extremely expensive, there are ways to make big improvements with simple changes that schools can make right now with minimal cost.

Did you know ingredients found in common cleaning products have been linked to:

• New cases of asthma and triggering asthma episodes
• Harming the brain, nervous system, reproductive organs, kidneys and liver
• Irritating eyes and causing headaches
• Breathing problems and illnesses
• Disrupting/acting like hormones
• Cancer

It is time for change! Green cleaning and safer practices are not just a fad, but rather a necessity for the health of our planet and its occupants!

Growing up, I was a relatively healthy child (or so we thought) with this ever-persistent thread of ear infections, allergies and illness.  Nothing really stopped me, but I had my share of PE tubes, allergy injections, medications, and missed days of school.   I went through college, my first teaching job, my first child, and then it happened.  About 8 months after my second daughter was born I became hypersensitive, meaning allergic, to everything and I mean EVERYTHING!  I tested reactive to almost all foods, detergents, clothing, soaps, vitamins…everything.

There were several instances where I almost died and my husband literally jabbed with me with an Epi Pen to keep me alive.  In fact, if he had not been home one particular time, who knows where I’d be. I literally passed out on my floor and was not breathing.

My journey has been educational to say the least, but what really got to me after battling migraines, stomach problems, joint pain, fatigue, allergies, asthma, thyroid issues, etc. was watching my 2 young girls suffer.   My husband and I noticed patterns and realized that our girls had inherited my immune problems.  One daughter had extreme reactions and needed repeated IVs.  By the age of 2, my other daughter had chronic pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infections, sinus infections, was pooping blood in her stool, and always had red cheeks.  Those cheeks!  I wish every parent knew red cheeks can be a sign of an unhealthy immune system, and that there is so much you can do to improve the immune system.

In order to get better I bounced from doctor to doctor in multiple states… was actually studied by many and did what I could.  I read constantly, lived on amino acid baby formula, and rebuilt my system piece by piece.  I was fortunate to finally be treated by a brilliant, compassionate holistic, MD who helped me get back on the road to wellness. Raymond Francis, the author of Never Be Sick Again, also profoundly impacted me.  These 2 men, plus my family and others gave me the tools to choose health.

There were obviously problems with my children’s health.  We had them tested and practiced serious environmental controls in our home.  We changed their diet and products in our home. What we noticed was astounding!  My 2 babes with known primary immune deficiencies were not getting sick.  Both girls who used to be on constant antibiotics no longer needed them.  Both girls who were told they would need multiple surgeries no longer needed them.  My girls were healthy and I was on a mission!

I had more than 10 years of experience in education, was passionate about my children’s health and the health of all children and our planet.  I wanted to make a difference.  I founded the non-profit organization, greenschools, to give back by providing this much needed education.  In less than 2 years greenschools worked directly with 45 schools and has collaborated with others.  We believe we can make The Green Difference!