Course Overview
This course imparts practical knowledge and experiences in managing school health, safety, and facilities maintenance programs. It also acknowledges that the goals of school health and safety extend beyond the physical walls of a school to the education of K-12 students in health and safety issues. Exploring topics such as healthy and safe facilities, health and safety education, and the responsibilities of educators, families, and community resources, this course offers a practical application of principles and practices in a school environment.
The course project, School Health, Safety, and Maintenance Audit: Analyzing Policies and Procedures to Create Healthy Schools, is a formal audit report for a school’s administration. Candidates determine the state, district, and local school policies and practices pertaining to school health, safety, and facilities maintenance, the assignment of authority and responsibility for implementing these policies and practices, create an audit checklist, conduct the audit in a local school, and develop an audit report for the school.
This course includes field-based activities that take place in a K-12 school/district community setting.
Course Learning Objectives
- Cite governmental, legal, and policy decisions related to school health, safety, and maintenance
- Identify the appropriate school staff responsible for implementing the school's legal responsibilities to students on their way to and from school, and with regard to transportation
- Identify those factors on a school campus that relate to promoting and maintaining a safe and healthful school environment
- Identify factors that relate to being vigilant about school security and implementing safety procedures and precautions
- Identify factors that relate to maintaining a close working relationship with law enforcement; and taking a proactive approach to emergency situations to provide stress and crisis management, and conflict resolution to such situations
- Identify factors that relate to promoting and maintaining a well-maintained school environment, including the contribution of an attractive, inviting, and engaging school environment; and operating within district policies regarding general building maintenance, repairs, and improvements
- Identify the objectives and topics to be covered in a school health and safety education program, and write an outline for a course
- Describe the principles and practices related to conducting a school health/safety/maintenance audit
