Programs can help get air-quality funding
In a post-COVID-19 world, we must remember the lessons learned. We dare not commit to retaining silos in place that led to societal disruptions from disease, extreme grief, lost years of life linked to long-Covid, family survivors who are now caregivers, loneliness from "social distancing," and how the health and education of our children suffered.
Instead, we must intentionally discover ways to link arms to protect our children from diseases interfering with their learning ability. While causes for poor academic results are multifactorial, we seek out multi-remedy opportunities, and one remedy that we can't ignore is improving air quality.
Exposure to airborne pollutants, particularly ozone and PM2.5 (particulate matter), is undermining the education of our children because they lead to a wide range of noncommunicable diseases. Asthma arguably tops the list but comes with significant complications: insomnia, fatigue, physical inactivity, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea and, unavoidably, adverse effects of the medicine (usually steroids) to treat the disease. In most instances, that adversity is agitation that triggers disruptive behaviors in the classroom.
Illinois EPA has a $27 million, and perhaps last, offering of VW funds for electric school buses and chargers. These applications are due Sept. 5, and DuPage County is prioritized for funding.
Of the $5 billion allocated to help our nation create a healthier primary and secondary education experience, a $400 million USEPA CSBP grant is open until Aug. 22. Parents and teacher organizations should contact their school boards and district leaders to take advantage of these opportunities.
A scheduled meeting for Aug. 8 will include district superintendents, mayors, and managers to meet and discuss participating in these offerings.
Again, the association of optimal health with optimal education outcomes is indelible. Please, contact your district administrators and municipal leaders to encourage attendance.
Janice F. Guider
Naperville