The Environmental Health & Asthma Subcommittee (EHAS) of the APS School Health Advisory Board (SHAB) is pleased to lead the Arlington community in a celebration of Clean Air Awareness Month.

Why talk about CLEAN AIR?
-Arlington gets an “F” for its air quality from the American Lung Association.
​-Children are harmed more by pollution than adults.
-Asthma rates among Arlington Public School children have increased in recent years at a faster pace than the APS population has increased.
-​With 25,000 students in APS, Arlington families can play a significant role in improving our air quality and supporting children’s health.
-A 2016 survey by Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment found that vehicle idling was a significant concern among Arlington parents.

On May 1, the first day of Clean Air Awareness Month and Allergy & Asthma Awareness Month, we are holding an event to
-recognize the Clean Air Challenge participants & showcase some of their work
-provide education and inspiration on the topic of clean air and children’s health
-connect community members for further collaboration
​
Join us to learn, share and engage in the hopes of creating a world in which we can all breathe easier.

APS Superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy will be presenting the certificates of recognition.

For more information about the event, see http://apsshab.weebly.com/clean-air-awareness-event

See our Clean Air Resources for links to articles, data and examples of clean air initiatives: http://apsshab.weebly.com/clean-air-resources

The main page for the Environmental Health & Asthma Subcommittee (EHAS) of SHAB is http://apsshab.weebly.com/ehas

May 1 Event Agenda (subject to change):
4:15: Doors open
View PSAs, meet exhibitors, learn how to get involved in local health and environmental initiatives. Young children can color or listen to the story, I Have Asthma, What Does That Mean? read by librarian Mariela Aguilar

4:30: Welcoming remarks by Environmental Health and Asthma Subcommittee co-chairs Jessica Haney and Amy Thomas

4:35: Remarks by experts on health and the environment including School Health’s Dr. Sam Stebbins, Elizabeth Denton of Arlington Transportation Partners, Elenor Hodges of Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment and the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability, APS School Board Member Dr. Barbara Kanninen, and Arlington County Board Member Katie Cristol.

4:55: Movement Break
5:00: Recognition of students who participated in Clean Air Challenge with Superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy

5:15: Movement Break
5:20: Closing remarks followed by informal discussion & networking with coloring and storytelling for young children

5:45: Event ends

Event website: http://apsshab.weebly.com/clean-air-awareness-event

Event organizer:
The Environmental Health & Asthma Subcommittee (EHAS) of the APS School Health Advisory Board

Event partners:
American Lung Association
APS Superintendent’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability
Arlington VA Public Library
Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment
Arlington Transportation Partners
Mindful Healthy Life
Moms Clean Air Force

Event volunteers are also members of the informal Facebook group APS Green and Healthy

For details about the Clean Air Challenge that was open through April 7 to all APS students K-12 to create a Public Service Announcement with a clean air message see http://apsshab.weebly.com/clean-air-challenge