At Barnstable Public Schools, we believe healthy indoor air is everyone’s responsibility — and everyone’s benefit. That’s why we’re sharing these educational resources from the U.S. EPA’s Tools for Schools program. To help, the program offers short, easy-to-use checklists and guides for different roles such as teachers and office staff. They’re part of our commitment to making sure staff have access to clear, practical information that helps us work together to keep our learning environments safe and comfortable.

These resources are purely optional — you do not need to fill out or submit anything. Instead, they’re here for you to explore at your convenience, so you can better understand what to look for in your space, what might impact indoor air quality, and when it may be time to submit a work order.

Each checklist and guide (EPA calls them "Backgrounders") is quick to read, easy to understand, and requires no special expertise. They’re tailored to different school roles and help you recognize early signs of issues such as leaks, odors, poor airflow, or ventilation concerns.

BPS knows how important healthy air is for teaching, learning, and overall well-being. By staying informed and aware, each of us plays a part in creating and maintaining a safe, welcoming environment for our students, colleagues, and community. These tools are here to help you do just that.

Take a moment to review the checklist and guidance for your role below - explore it anytime, at your own pace. 

Teacher's Classrooms:

Backgrounder | Checklist

Administrative Staff:

Backgrounder | Checklist

Health Officers/School Nurses:

Backgrounder | Checklist

School Officials:

Backgrounder | Checklist