The coronavirus pandemic has placed much strain and stress on individuals, families, and small businesses. Keeping safe while still maintaining a normal routine indoors is one challenge seen. The best way to deal with viruses is to prevent them from happening in the first place. That means creating clean air inside public spaces, especially in schools.
Air purification in schools is more important today than it has ever been in the past, and resources are available to help school administrators get the funding they need to protect children. For example, the federal government made funding available to help districts buy air purification systems. Now, providing clean air for children and educators is more affordable than ever.
Even though many schools are on tight budgets right now, school districts can take advantage of grants to get funding to purchase nursing equipment, personal protective equipment, and other devices that can improve the health and safety of educational environments for children. This includes air purification and ventilation systems.
For example, funds are available to schools under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) program. In accordance with the coronavirus response plan, the $122 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) ESSER funds have to be spent by September 2024, so educators should apply for grants as soon as possible to improve the air purity in schools. There are a lot of school administrators who have questions about how the funds work and how they can be used, but resources are available to clarify these issues and ensure funds are distributed properly.
Creating safe air in schools starts from the top, with district administrators ensuring they use the right equipment in each school. With support, schools can make sure they use the right equipment, employ the right resources, and provide everyone with the clean air they need and deserve in the classroom. And with the Bluezone Calculator, it's easier than ever to figure out how many Bluezones each area needs to be safe.
Another major problem that schools are dealing with right now is food spoilage, which only increases overhead expenses and inventory costs. Kids need to have well-rounded meals with nutrients to gain focus in the classroom. Ethylene gas in food storage areas can cause food waste. It's easy to combat and schools can extend the shelf-life of their foods by rotating foods, applying stickers to their food items, and, most importantly, taking steps to reduce the trapping of ethylene gas.
The Bluezone food preservation system kills mold, bacteria, and decay-producing agents that spoil food quicker. By eliminating 99.9 percent of these pathogens, the shelf life of food in walk-in coolers is extended, meaning food can be held longer, and there's a reduction in food waste and spending on ingredients.
We know that with everything that school administrators, principals, and school nutrition professionals face every day, it can seem daunting. But our expert school foodservice team is here to help! From knowing what products and equipment are working in schools to providing demonstrations to school nutrition workers, our team can take you from A to Z to help your students get fed and stay healthy.