Current News
Is Your School Asthma Friendly?
If YES, nominate your school for The WVAC Asthma Friendly School Award! Read the attached flyer to see what your school needs to qualify, fill out the following application and fax it to the WVAC Manager, Megan Moore, at 304.342.6096.
Asthma Friendly School Award Signature Form
Is Your School Asthma Friendly Information Flier
Is Your School an Idle-FREE Zone???
Air Pollution especially Diesel Exhaust and Gasoline Exhaust are threats to anyone with asthma. Exhaust fumes and particles from the combustion of these fossil fuels are a known trigger of asthma attacks.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WV-DEP) has provided IDLE-FREE ZONE SIGNS to all 55 counties in West Virginia to be posted at every school. So, does your school have their signs posted? Do the bus drivers turn off their engines while they wait to pick up or drop off the kids? Do the parents turn off their engines while they wait to pick up or drop off their kids?
What can you do to help? - Contact the School Principal and the School Superindendent for that county to ask why the anti-idling signs are not posted and if the school bus drivers are not shutting off their engines as the WV School Policy States.
The West Virginia Department of Education has a policy in place to reduce idling problems near schools. It regulates the school buses idling by stating:
-
In normal weather, a school bus operator shall not idle the bus while waiting for or loading students.
-
Buses will be allowed to idle when the temperature is 40 degrees F or colder, when needed to defrost driving windows, when the safety or comfort of the students is in question, or when emergency dictates.
-
School bus operators are prohibited from idling the buses for more than 10 minutes unless defrosting windows and then idling shall be limited to thirty minutes
Click here for more information
WV-DEP Anti-Idling Information
WV-DEP Anti-Idling Brochure
WV-DEP Distribution of Anti-Idling Signage 2009
Upcoming Events
Camp Catch Your Breath - for children with asthma in WV - will be taking place July 25-30, 2010, at Jackson's Mill, WV. If you or someone you know is interested in attending the camp or being a volunteer, please contact Chantal Fields at the American Lung Association in WV by calling 304.342.6600 or by email at cfields@lunginfo.org.
The 9th Annual Asthma Retreat held by the WVAC and the AEPP will take place at the Resort at Glade Springs in Daniels, WV on August 12-13, 2010. Coalition members, partners, health care providers, members from the community and individuals with asthma are encouraged to attend! For more information on this event check out the agenda listed under Coalition Meetings agendas tab, and contact Megan Moore, WVAC Manager, to register.
Retreat Response Form
WVAC's Executive Committee and Subcommittee Chairs for 2009-2010
President: Len Picha
Vice President: Krista Capehart
Clinical Asthma Management Co-Chairs: Adam Baus and Heidi Putnam-Casdorph
Community Outreach and Education Chairs: Trisha Petitte
Data Sharing Chair: Georgia Narsavage
Environment Chair: Jeanne Chandler
School and Pediatrics Chairs: Paula Fields and Joan Skaggs
Note: You will need Adobe Reader (PDF) to view some of the documents on this website.