The May 2 – June 2 edition of Seattle’s Real Change has an interesting article about the possible effect of school closures on the safety of students. Real Change The article describes the earthquake damage and loss of life at Franklin Junior High School in Long Beach, California. According to Dora Taylor, the destruction could happen to Meany school:

Parent and architect Dora Taylor says the problems are documented in a structural engineer’s report that the district commissioned in 2006 on Meany, a Central District school caught up in the building closures and program cuts approved in January by the school board.

The question members of the public and parents should ask is how safe are children at the schools they attend?

The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools has a checklist for parents to review. School Building Safety Parents can also download an IAQ Action List from the EPA. EPA Action Item Kit The unseen danger Taylor and others worry about at Meany concerns construction and building integrity. A PBS News hour report looked at school safety issues around the globe, particularly in light of the horrific 2008 earthquake in China. PBS Newshour Report

In answer to the question are your children really safe at school? Maybe it’s time for you to ask.

Dr. Wilda says this about that. ©