The winners, which included Aurora Public Schools (CO) and Elk Grove Unified School District (CA), were selected based on submitted applications, interviews, and a strong commitment to facility health. Health factors assessed included indoor air quality, chemical exposure, water quality, sound levels, lighting, cleaning and disinfecting, sanitizing and food service, integrated pest management, and ergonomics (musculoskeletal, strains, slips/falls).
HPA received the Healthy Facilities Advocate award for its mission to promote healthful, place-based learning on a site with access to 80 percent of the world’s ecosystems. HPA was commended for:
- Monitoring the indoor environment using devices that detect carbon dioxide, temperature, and sound levels.
- Making standing desks and anti-fatigue mats available to employees.
- Using dry steam vapor for cleaning and disinfecting and a hydrogen peroxide-based cleaner, which helped reduce annual spending on chemical cleaners by about $4,000.
- Using low-toxicity, plant-based intervention to control insects.
The school’s Energy Lab achieved Living Building Challenge certification by the International Living
Building Institute in 2011 in addition to platinum-level LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Schools 2.0 certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2010. In 2012, HPA also was one of a select group of schools throughout the state to receive the Green Ribbon Schools award from the U.S. Department of Education.