RPCS leaps to front of green movement for health of students, environment

Like Kermit the Frog says, “It’s not easy being green.” Yet, Roland Park Country School (RPCS) is so serious about being clean and green it has taken significant measures to change their cleaning practices to not only protect the health of their students, but also the environment. 

RPCS joins Healthful Schools Program

Armed with studies conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency and Cornell Medical School, which show that adopting high-performance green cleaning practices can reduce doctor’s visits and absenteeism in schools, RPCS took action. In doing so, they have become the first K-12 school in the nation to participate in the Healthful Schools Program.

It’s not easy being green

In order to qualify for the program, RPCS underwent an audit of its cleaning processes, products and equipment for compliance with the Green Seal™ GS-42 standard. Green Seal is an independent, non-profit organization that provides standards and certifications for product and service providers in the cleaning industry for cleaning to protect health and the environment.

The Healthful Schools Program is part of the Healthful Buildings Partnership, a coalition of building owners, facility managers and service providers who are dedicated to promoting best practices for cleaning and health. Marion Stecklow, Executive Director of the Building Wellness Institute, helped develop the RPCS Green & Healthy Cleaning Policy and performed the audit for participation in the Healthful Schools program. “RPCS is to be congratulated for taking a leadership role on a vital public health issue,” Ms. Stecklow said.

Green from the inside out

In January, the RPCS Athletic Complex received an award for Excellence in Green Building from the Maryland chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council and the School is working toward LEED certification.

“RPCS is committed to the stewardship of the natural world and to leadership in environmental sustainability. The Healthful Schools program provides us with a complete framework for adopting best practices for protecting the health of our students and employees,” said Jean Waller Brune, Head of School.