National Healthy Schools Day Celebrated

HARTFORD — Newtown’s Representative Christopher Lyddy joined with the Connecticut Foundation for Environmentally Safe Schools, the Connecticut Sierra Club, and the Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Connecticut on Monday, April 11, to celebrate National Healthy Schools Day.

“National Healthy Schools Day is an opportunity to educate one another about the importance of ensuring the safety of our children and school staff,” Rep Lyddy said during a press conference at the Legislative Office Building.

 “We have the great responsibility to protect our citizens where they live, work and learn,” Rep Lyddy said. “Every child and school employee has a right to a safe and healthy learning environment.”

The forum focused on sharing information and resource guides about Connecticut’s school environmental health laws that deal with green cleaning, bus emissions, pesticides, indoor air quality, and high performance design and construction. 

“Well established evidence shows that improving school environment quality has a positive impact on attendance, health, productivity, academic performance, and teacher retention,” said Joellen Lawson of Newtown, cofounder of ConnFESS (Connecticut Foundation for Environmentally Safe Schools).

“School environmental health issues really need to become a part of policy conversations about closing the achievement gap, reducing health costs and increasing energy efficiency while maintaining superior air quality,” Ms Lawson said.

“We must continue to work with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure the well being of our children and staff is a priority,” Rep Lyddy said. “I am happy to partner with the Connecticut Foundation for Environmentally Safe Schools, the Connecticut State Medical Society, the Connecticut Nurses Association, the Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Connecticut, and the Connecticut Sierra Club on this initiative.”