As a new school year begins, The Clean Air Campaign announces the expansion of its Clean Air Schools program to include high schools and more elementary and middle schools statewide. The statewide reach will move the program beyond the metro Atlanta area and result in more than 115,000 students learning of ways to reduce air pollution. 

The program will continue to educate students and their parents about how small behavior changes make a big difference when it comes to air quality.  The Clean Air Schools program includes air quality lesson plans as well as action-oriented projects such as the no-idling campaign and “walking school buses” to create a healthier environment on school grounds and in the community.  

“We are thrilled to be able to expand our scope and reach to include more schools this year,” said Susan Bacon, director of education for The Clean Air Campaign . “Schools can tailor the program by choosing from a variety of projects that best meets their needs. It also will help students understand the importance of air quality and how they can do their share to clean the air.”

As part of the expanded scope, schools may choose to participate in the program by implementing at least one of five projects that will encourage positive changes within its community. Project options include: 

A no-idling campaign that reduces harmful smog-forming emissions

An educational musical production that features BAIR, the Better Air Bear (geared toward K-5, available in metro Atlanta only)

Georgia Performance Standards-based air quality lesson plans for grades 3-12

Ride There! for Clean Air, a program to encourage bus ridership

Walk There! for Clean Air, a program to encourage walking to school
 

The no-idling campaign helps eliminate unnecessary idling that wastes gasoline and needlessly pollutes the air.  Vehicle emissions, which account for half of ground-level ozone pollution, are especially harmful to school children since their lungs are still developing and they breathe, on average, 50 percent more air per pound of body weight than adults. Schools in the 20-county metro Atlanta region that choose this project will be given no-idling signage, a tool kit to help them get started, carpool hangers and prizes for “surprize” patrols that reward waiting parents that are not idling. Schools outside the metro area can download the tool kit from The Clean Air Campaign Web site beginning mid-August to help them get started. The no-idling program is funded through a $50,000 grant from The UPS Foundation.

“Many school districts are required to report their environmental efforts annually,” continued Bacon. “Participation in the Clean Air Schools program is a great way to achieve excellence in that area.” 

The Clean Air Schools program is modeled on The Clean Air Campaign's successful employer outreach program, but incorporates customized program components that meet the education and transportation needs of schools.  To learn more about Clean Air Schools or to register to become a Clean Air School , visit CleanAirCampaign.com or email schools@CleanAirCampaign.com.

About The Clean Air Campaign

The Clean Air Campaign is a not-for-profit organization that works with Georgia’s employers, commuters and schools to encourage actions that result in less traffic congestion and better air quality. To accomplish this goal, The Clean Air Campaign, along with its associate organizations, partners with more than 1,100 employers to create custom commute options programs; and annually helps thousands of commuters find commute alternatives that work for them, providing financial incentives to get them started. The Clean Air Campaign also protects public health by issuing Smog Alerts and empowers students, parents and teachers to play a positive role in reducing traffic and cleaning the air through a multi-faceted education program reaching elementary, middle and high schools. 

Each day, these programs reduce 1.2 million miles of vehicle travel and keep 600 tons of pollution out of the air we breathe. For more information, call 1-877-CLEANAIR (1-877-253-2624) or visit CleanAirCampaign.com.