• Healthy School Environment

    Boston Public Schools is committed to providing a healthy school environment at all schools. Every Boston Public Schools building is required under federal and state regulations or BPS policy to have the following:

    Asbestos Hazard Emergency Management (AHERA) Plan: In accordance with AHERA, Boston Public Schools is required to inform all staff, families, and students about the availability of their school's AHERA Management Plan. The AHERA Management Plan contains information about asbestos-containing building materials, plans to manage the asbestos properly, and periodic surveillance reports and re-inspection reports.

    A copy of your school's Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) Management Plan is available in the school's Main Office during school hours. The plan can be found in a white or green 3-ring binder marked "AHERA Management Plan." The Boston Public Schools Environmental Division also manages and updates an online database containing the AHERA Management Plan for each school.

    Please direct any inquiries regarding the management of asbestos-containing materials in our schools to the district's AHERA Designated Person:

    Maria Carvalho, Chief Environmental Technician
    1216 Dorchester Avenue
    Dorchester, MA 02125
    mcarvalho2@bostonpublicschools.org
    617-635-8300

    Annual School Environmental Audits: The Boston Public Schools Environmental Division annually completes an environmental inspection of every BPS school. Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) also conducts their own independent inspections of all BPS schools annually. The purpose of each inspection is to record conditions (e.g. water leaks and stains, visible mold, pest infestation, chemicals or hazardous materials, clutter and housekeeping issues) and any other observed repairs (e.g. HVAC) in the school. This partnership between BPS Environmental Division and BPHC ensures every school receives two full environmental inspections per year, in addition to the BPS Environmental Division responding to all reported school environmental, health, and safety issues year-round.

    The inspection reports are shared with School Leaders and Facilities Management, and are publicly available on the BPS website.

    Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan: State laws and regulations require all school buildings and licensed daycares to register an indoor and outdoor IPM plan with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). The law requires the IPM plans to be updated and registered annually. The pest control contractor is responsible for updating the indoor and outdoor plans every year. All schools are serviced regularly by a licensed pest control contractor.

    Green Cleaners: All Boston Public Schools are cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected in accordance with applicable public health and environment, health, and safety guidelines, and the BPS Green Cleaners Superintendent's Circular, FMT-11. All other, non-approved, cleaning products are prohibited from being used in BPS buildings and grounds by any staff, volunteer, vendor, or partner.

    School Wellness. Tell the school nurse if your child has asthma or allergies that could be affected by environmental triggers such as mold, dust, pests, or strong fumes, and make sure the nurse has your child’s Asthma Action Plan from your healthcare provider.

    Contact the school's main office with any complaints about the health and safety of the school facilities.

    Learn more from the BPS Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Program.