9.12: Physical Environment
Providing a safe learning environment for students includes maintaining the physical structures that make up the school, as well as having emergency procedures and safety protocols in place. Any buildings with broken windows, non-functional heating or cooling systems, plumbing or drainage issues, leaks, pest problems, mold or mildew in the walls or ceilings, or toxic building materials - including asbestos and lead - can drastically harm students’ health and their ability to learn.
Going above and beyond the basic physical safety and operation of buildings to consider how design affects mood and behavior is important for schools. For example, outdoor green spaces and colorfully painted playgrounds can encourage physical activity during recess. Access to greenspace and nature can also decrease teasing and bullying behaviors, and increase social-emotional well-being. Physical changes to the cafeteria space can also encourage healthy eating; such as the order in which foods are served, the attractiveness, variety, and convenience of fruits and vegetables (i.e. pre-sliced, fresh fruit). Changes to the physical space don’t have to be huge to make a difference, and should be individualized to the needs and desires of the students and employees (Hawkins et al., 2023).