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Sick schools?

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 11:50 PM EDT 24/01/07

Globe reporters took questions on school health ...Read the full article

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  1. calla farn from Toronto, Canada writes: It is disappointing that the article in Saturday's newspaper fails to recognize the many significant changes that have been made to improve the nutritional landscape in schools. The beverage industry has long recognized that schools are a unique environment and has taken a leadership role in matters concerning the health and well-being of children and youth. We first introduced guidelines for elementary and middle schools more than three years ago, which included removing all soft drinks. Last year, we announced guidelines for high schools to accelerate the shift towards nutritious and low-calorie beverages. We are now working with our school partners to remove full-calorie soft drinks from all high schools by 2009. Under our guidelines, only 100% juices, bottled water and no-fat and low-fat milk, will be sold in elementary and middle schools. High schools will also sell calorie-free and low-calorie beverages as well as other beverages with no more than 100 calories per container. In addition, at least 50% of the choices offered in high schools will be water and low- or no-calorie beverages. The industry is also reducing its portion sizes and will offer graduated container sizes for each school level, ranging from 250 mL in elementary schools to 355 mL in high schools. We are proud of the changes we have made and we encourage others to support schools in their quest to encourage students to lead healthy, active lives. Calla Farn Director, Public Affairs Refreshments Canada
  2. harry carnie from NORTHERN,B.C., Canada writes: As with any issue... in this case health..We put too much time, effort ,and expense into 'treating the symptoms' rather than the cause.

    Treating the basic causes would SAVE MONEY on our health expenses..and benifit ALL of our society in the long haul

    1) Families should have' basic income',(works in Scandinavian countries) that would allow the children to have a satifactory diet.

    2) Nutrition; education for the parents and the children. Nutritional lunches in the school cafeterias . BAN junk food from school property.

    3) School design;The same people that design 'leaky condos' design our schools(apparenty) The flat roof IS NOT PRACTICAL..with our climate it results in water leaks and toxic molds growing in the building.Look at the older buildings(the few here)and in Quebec.THEY have slopping roofs.

    Schools should be designed to last..even if it costs more in the beginning
    There is no reason we cannot build to last..this has a positive environmental effect as well.

    This is the concern that ALL of us should address...But probably will not...Pity.
  3. harry warner from salt spring island, Canada writes: I believe that the use of fluorescent lighting contributes to the general unhealthiness of our schools.
    I was a Professor at Ryerson for many years!
  4. harry carnie from NORTHERN,B.C., Canada writes: harry warner..Good point. probably is a 'contribute'..it certainly does not help.
    Most of the schools are also built resembling minimum security facilities. Little natural light..no windows( to prevent vandalism)
    Heating/cooling is also a concern resulting in smaller windows.
    With Geo thermal heat/cooling as well as modern 'E' glass this SHOULD NOT BE a problem in designing 'a healthy school building.'
    Lack of will is probably the main reason, in not doing so.
  5. Bernard Bomers from Vancouver, BC, Canada writes: I have stopped entering anything in G&M forums, following the unbelievably rude yahoo comments reproduced lately.

    Greenspon's obsession with appearing to be institutionally 'plugged-in' via the internet is showing this approach's limits. (Nevermind being, laughably, on the same speaker's list with Leah MacLaren).

    I trust my son's teenage judgement (King's College, Halifax) far more than some current editorial watchdogs.

    My comments are being forwarded to selected J Skools under separate cover, should you choose not to publish electronically or deal with it via 'Letters to the Editor'.
  6. Bev Jaremko from Calgary, Canada writes: We substitute teachers get to visit hundreds of schools over a year and I would hope that the discussion would consider our input. We see not only the effects on children but those on teachers, who when you think of it are in the buildings much longer each day and for many more years.

    I do know of situations where lack of air flow is a problem for breathing comfortable over time and where allergies and other problems flare up. Stress takes a huge toll on teachers because of the work load and because of the nature of teaching many levels of student achievement at once, but all stress is aggravated when the building is unhealthy.

    It is my feeling that any care role, be it nursing, daycare work, social work or teaching has historically been considered a moral obligation and not worthy of significant pay. Teachers are expected to be more and more to the kids, not just academic skills educators but now sports coaches, drug and alcohol counsellors, anti-bullying advisors and now nutrition and health monitors. If society is going to ask this much of us, it might be time to revisit how well our schools and our teachers are funded. Many schools lack a class set of any textbook and kids not only have to share but can't take home homework so this will of course impact academic achievement. I've been in classrooms where there were no kleenex boxes so a roll o f toilet paper was available and where kids who had no pencils also could not get one from the teacher because the budget does not provide any. This is 3rd world country level of funding it seems and it is of course laughable to think that budgeters with those priorities will look at clean air as important.
    But it is.
  7. Barbara Greene from Toronto, Canada writes: I'm pleased to read your articles on school nutrition and air and water quality. You should also address the shoddy and haphazard maintenance caused by declining school maintenance budgets and low staff morale. High schools in particular are filthy germ ridden places. The desks are seldom washed and usually only if a conscientious teacher can't stand it. The shelves are dusty and filthy and washed down maybe once a year if teachers remove the books and other paper that collects. Offices contain old books and left overs from previous teachers which are rarely cleaned out unless a particularly zealous curriculum leader or team decides to take action. The floors are swept not vacuumed and washed about twice a year. Furniture usually dates from when the building was built. The appalling conditions would not be tolerated in homes or offices yet we let children and teachers work in such environments which are hazardous to the physical and psychological health of students and employees.
  8. K Mack from Toronto, Canada writes: As a teacher in Ontario, I have to echo the comments of 2 earlier posters who relate this concern about healthy food and air in schools to everything else that is lacking. Despite money and initiatives that have been started, overall the trend is still to fewer supplies and fewer services, such as cleaning or direct support for students. So far, we still have toilet paper, but when I have to bring that myself, I guess it may be time to go! For caring teachers, the choice is usually to provide those supplies and services the best they can out of their own pocket or time. The other choice is to stop caring about kids, find another profession or burn out. The only way I cope is to realize in real third world countries, kids are worse off, but I am surprised that is the comparison I need to make in order to feel we are doing a good job. With so many other needs the kids have that aren't being met, I think improving nutrition does not need to be any more of a priority than it already is...a part of a health curriculum. Is there any part of society's ills or lack of good parenting we are NOT going to be expected to fix?
  9. busy mom from Toronto, Canada writes: 1.This is indeed a key question: 'Is there any part of society's ills or lack of good parenting we are NOT going to be expected to fix?'. There has definitely been an increasing demand on teachers to educate children about things that were traditionally taught at home. Where is parental responsibility here? Why are parents NOT held accountable for these important skills?? 2.There are only so many hours in the day; yet, students are expected to learn Reading, Writing, Oral communication skills, Media Literacy, Mathematics (5 categories of math!), Social Studies/History/Geography, Science/Technology, Art, Drama, Dance, Music, Physical Education/Healthy Living, Computer Literacy, and French. There are Social Skills to learn with a focus on 'Character Education'. Don't forget field trips, special events, sporting events, fund-raising events (so we can have new resources and books and materials!). Physical Activity (outside of gym times) mandated as a daily requirement? I ask: WHEN? 3.Would ANY of our key decision-makers put themselves in our learning environments to work? You share a 30'x30' room with 18 to 36 (or more) other people. You each get an 18'x24' desk. There may or may not be other furniture in the room. You all breathe on, cough on, sneeze on, touch, and share all materials. You sit closely to one another ALL DAY. The heating doesn't work right all winter - too hot/too cold. There is NO air conditioning (try getting through Sept., May and June!!). Some of your 'co-workers' quietly get on with their work. Some do not. Despite it all, you are expected to work to your full potential and SUCCEED. It's a miracle learning happens! Our children are far brighter and more resilient than the critics give them credit for. Most adults would not be able to function under these conditions for one day. More credit needs to be given to teachers, but the students themselves deserve the MOST credit for being successful despite it all!

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