Registration Opens

Registration Opens

Continental breakfast provided.

Pre-Conference Session: Healthy Schools 101: Getting Started with the IAQ TfS Program

This hands-on, introductory session for participants new to IAQ management and the IAQ TfS Program will provide a foundation to build upon throughout the Symposium. Participants will learn how to use the IAQ TfS Kit as the basis for developing a comprehensive IAQ management program for their schools. Award-winning faculty school district speakers will detail the concrete steps they took to get their sustainable IAQ programs up and running.

Speaker: Cristina Schulingkamp, Region 3, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; David Glassman, Industrial Hygienist, Baltimore County Public Schools (MD); Frederick Remelius, Buildings and Grounds Supervisor, Upper Merion Area School District (PA)

Facilitator: Tracy Enger, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Welcome and Symposium Call-to-Action

Speaker: Elizabeth Cotsworth, Director, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Facilitator: Tracy Enger, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Indoor Environments, Climate Change, and Human Performance

What does climate change have to do with indoor environments? Will it change the way we build, maintain and operate our buildings?
Is there a relationship between indoor air quality and human productivity?
Does this have any implications for student performance? This session will review the latest information on climate change impacts on indoor environments and the effect of IAQ on human performance.

Speaker: John Girman, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Laura Kolb, Director, Center for Scientific Analysis, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Break

The IAQ Tools for Schools Approach: Providing a Framework for Success

In the 12 years of its existence, the IAQ TfS Program has been implemented in thousands of districts. This session will introduce the approach and common elements of success that are enabling school districts to develop, enhance, and sustain healthy learning environments in schools.

Speakers: David Rowson, Director, Center for Asthma and Schools, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Facilitator: Tracy Enger, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Benchmarking for Success: Accelerating your IAQ Management Program's Results

Participants will run a powerful, real-time program assessment exercise to benchmark their programs against best-in-class school IAQ management programs. This information will help participants identify specific opportunities for accelerating their program results and developing their district-wide game plans for success throughout the Symposium.

Facilitators: Tracy Enger, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; John Scanlon, Ph.D., President and CEO, JSEA, Inc.

Meeting Your Partners: A Networking Lunch

The Framework for Effective IAQ Management Programs: Putting in Place the Pieces that Work

This session will showcase faculty school districts and how the Framework for Effective School IAQ Management: Six Key Drivers is in action in their districts. The IAQ TfS Change Package, the underlying theory, and its use as a planning and implementation tool for developing successful IAQ management programs will be presented.

Facilitators: Tracy Enger, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; John Scanlon, Ph.D., President and CEO, JSEA, Inc.

Speakers: Faculty School Districts

Faculty School District Breakouts

In these interactive sessions, participants will engage leaders from faculty school districts and gather more in-depth information about how these districts initiated and sustained their successful IAQ management programs. Faculty will build upon the previous general session by providing participants with specific examples of how the Framework for Effective School IAQ Management: Six Key Drivers has formed the basis for an effective system. These sessions will provide participants ample opportunity to ask questions of the faculty and learn how to incorporate successful approaches into individual action plans.

Speakers: Faculty School Districts

Break

Action Learning for Commitment: Engaging Program Leaders

During this session, faculty school districts and other award-winning programs will be available for small group, unstructured question and answer sessions with Symposium participants. Draw upon the wealth of experience that is available from the Symposium faculty.

Speakers: Faculty School Districts

Awards Ceremony and Reception

Join in a celebration to honor the 2008 winners of the prestigious IAQ TfS awards! Light hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Speakers: Elizabeth Cotsworth, Director, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Elizabeth Craig, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Continental Breakfast

Translating Knowledge into Action: Sustainable Schools for Students and Staff

Sustainable schools are more than just high performance buildings. As this session will highlight, sustainable schools also means fusing experiential learning/curriculum with ways to improve day-to-day cost-effectiveness of your school through cutting-edge school design.

Facilitator: Tracy Enger, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Speaker: Ray Bordwell, Principal, Perkins Eastman

Moving From Theory to Practice: Taking the System and Making it Work in Your District

This session will describe the technical elements that comprise an effective IAQ management program in school districts. Learn about the key elements that are critical to any successful program and the wealth of technical resources that are available to assist you in putting in place the components for success.

Facilitator: Tracy Enger, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Break

Concurrent Sessions

Finding Solutions: The Virtual Walk-Through

This interactive session will describe how to conduct a facility walk-through to identify solutions to common IAQ problems. Using visual examples and case studies, the presenters will describe how to use the IAQ TfS checklists as a basis for a walk-through investigation.

Speakers: Rich Prill, Building Science and Indoor Air Quality Specialist, Washington State University; Dave Blake, Environmental Specialist/Indoor Air/Asbestos, Northwest Clean Air Agency

New Options for Creating Healthy, High Performance Schools

The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED for Schools program and the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) are just two of the growing programs targeted to creating and maintaining green, high performing schools. This session will focus on the current state of "green" in schools and help participants understand the pros and cons of various green programs and practices. High performance school case studies will be presented to illustrate how schools are using these programs to "go green."

Moderator: Bob Kobet, President, Sustainaissance International

Speakers: Rachel Gutter, Schools Sector Manager, U.S. Green Building Council; Charles Eley, Executive Director, Collaborative for High Performance Schools

Using IAQ as a Teaching and Learning Tool in Your District

IAQ problems affect kids, and they can often play a key role in IAQ management, both at school and in their homes. This session will describe a new educational resource for integrating IAQ issues into classroom curricula and highlight various activities for student participation.

Speaker: Miecha Galbraith, Consultant, National Education Association Health Information Network; Mary Tanis, Teacher, Kahler Middle School, Indiana State Teachers Association; Pat Nicholson, Head Custodian, Brownsville Elementary School, Washington Education Association

Concurrent Sessions Repeat

Regional Networking Lunch

Enjoy lunch while you network with colleagues in your EPA region.

Breakout Sessions

Creating Asthma-Friendly Schools

Over 5 million school-age children-that's 3 students in an average classroom of 30-have asthma. Asthma is a leading cause of absenteeism, accounting for millions of missed school days each year. Asthma-friendly schools are those that create safe and supportive learning environments for students with asthma and have policies and procedures that allow students to successfully manage their asthma. Learn about new and updated resources and exciting Asthma-Friendly Schools Awards programs that help students with asthma stay healthy and ready to learn.

Speakers: Lani Wheeler, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Rebekah Buckley, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Teresa Lampmann, Coordinating Manager, New Jersey Pediatric/Adult Asthma Coalition

Fresh Air: Optimal HVAC Management for Improved Health

This practical discussion of school heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems will highlight the importance of proper design, commissioning, maintenance, and operations of school equipment. Speakers will review the latest innovative tools and technologies available for school facility managers and operations and maintenance staff and highlight the importance of proper ventilation as a key component in providing healthy learning environments.

Speakers: Dave Hill, Blue Valley School District (KS); Chad Althouse, Larson Binkley

Furnishing High Performance Schools

Choosing the appropriate materials is critical for designing and furnishing high performance schools. Making the right choices early will ensure that your high performance school has a healthy indoor environment. This session will provide attendees with effective strategies for choosing building materials, furnishings, and mechanical equipment that contribute to healthy IAQ in schools.

Speakers: Tom Bates, BLRB Architecture; Tom Ellis, Tandus

Green Cleaning: Products and Practices

How can you effectively clean your school without causing health problems for students and staff? Is it possible to save money and time while maintaining clean and healthy facilities? This session will highlight key aspects of a green cleaning program, including environmentally preferable cleaning products, training, policy recommendations, and public awareness initiatives.

Speakers: Tobie Bernstein, Senior Attorney, Environmental Law Institute; William Thompson, Director of Facilities, Lockport Township School District # 205 (IL)

An Integrated Approach to School Health and Safety: HealthySEAT 2.0

This session provides detailed information and a live demonstration of the newly released Version 2.0 of HealthySEAT and how it can assist school districts in evaluating all of their facilities for key environmental, safety, and health issues. HealthySEAT integrates all of EPA's programs for schools as well as other federal mandatory requirements and voluntary programs into one easy-to-use software tool.

Speaker: Bob Axelrad, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Dave Kocevar, Director of Business & Community Affairs, Wooster City Schools (OH)

Managing Radon in Schools

This session will offer an introduction to radon health risks and their management in schools. Presenters will showcase highly effective radon-in-schools projects and discuss successful methods for addressing radon risks in schools.

Speakers: Bill Bell, Western Regional Office, Massachusetts Department of Health; Susie Shimek, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Mold and Moisture: Double Trouble for Schools

Mold problems in schools can lead to health problems for school occupants, significant financial costs, and loss of credibility within the community. Participants will learn the basics about mold, myths about mold, when mold testing is necessary and when it's not, and practical solutions for mold prevention and management. Bring your questions for this interactive and informative session.

Speaker: Terry Brennan, President, Camroden Associates, Inc.

Accessing the Technical Information: Setting the Stage

This session will prepare attendees for participation in the following session by providing a framework for engaging with technical experts.

Speaker: Tracy Enger, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Accessing the Technical Information: Engaging with Experts

During this session, technical breakout speakers will be available for small group, unstructured question and answer sessions with Symposium participants. Ask the questions that are most important to you about the components of an effective IAQ management program. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to interact with representatives from other EPA school-based programs including: Clean School Bus USA, ENERGY STAR® for K-12 School Districts, the Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign, and Integrated Pest Management.

Speakers: Breakout Faculty Speakers; Katy Hatcher, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ENERGY STAR Program; Cyndy Merse, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, School Chemical Cleanout Campaign; Sheila Batka, Region 5, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Clean School Bus USA; Tom Brennan, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Integrated Pest Management Program

Continental Breakfast

Day 3 Opening and Framing

Developing Your Game Plan for Success

In this dynamic session, participants develop "Game Plans" and declare commitments for achieving bold improvements in your IAQ management program. Hear how your peers plan to overcome obstacles, implement effective solutions, and collaborate to improve school environments across the country. In this session, you will find the ideas, guidance, and inspiration you need to take effective action to improve IAQ and student and staff health, satisfaction, and performance in your schools.

Speaker: Tracy Enger, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Break

The IAQ Schools Connector in Action: A Discussion of IAQ Hot Topics

Each year, new science emerges, new products hit the market, and new techniques for addressing IAQ emerge. This "open space" exercise will allow participants the opportunity to discuss the issues that are most pressing to them in developing and sustaining an effective IAQ management program. These participant-generated "hot topics" will also drive IAQ Tools for Schools Connector conversations throughout the year.

Speaker: Tracy Enger, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Finding Our Leadership Voices: Leaving in Action

Speaker: Merle Kirkley, Council of Educational Facility Planners International

Adjourn