Northern Lehigh School District hopes to secure a grant that identifies how indoor air quality impacts students’ overall health and cognitive function.

Superintendent Dr. Matthew J. Link said that The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is developing a proposal to be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency under the Grant Funding to Address Indoor Air Pollution at Schools requesting up to $7,000,000 for a period of five years.

Link said that at the end of the grant period, the proposed project will be fully completed, and the project goals will be fulfilled.

“The grant activities will improve the way Northern Lehigh School District serves students by identifying how indoor air quality impacts students’ overall health and cognitive function on a long-term scale,” Link said. “Particularly, the United Way will look at students in disadvantaged, impoverished areas where health issues can have a larger, deeper impact. Moreover, we will also look at how these impact students of color as overall health and well-being are the cornerstones to success inside and outside the classroom.

“From this grant, we can begin to see data in real time yet over months and years to make more informed decisions regarding the whole child as it relates to academics, social-emotional, and overall health/well-being. We will use the findings to educate school personnel and local health officials while providing professional development on how to improve overall outcomes for students’ health.

“The overall goal of the proposed project is to improve the long-term lives and outcomes for students and their families in the greater Lehigh Valley area.”

The project will include data analysis, surveys, and stakeholder interviews.

He said the district will be involved in the project in the following ways:

• Identifying three to five schools to participate in the grant research project.

• Connecting district staff with the grant project staff to ensure a seamless implementation and management of the project.

• Providing data and/or other resources as needed to support the grant project.

• Attending meetings or responding to communication regarding the project.

Link said the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley will provide the district the following services or activities:

• Equipment and supplies related to indoor air quality tracking.

• Data analytics and interpretation related to indoor air quality.

• Professional development and training for identified school/district personnel related to indoor air quality.

• Connections with local community, civic, and business stakeholders who have an interest in improving indoor air quality and health outcomes for children.

“We recognize the valuable work the Environmental Protection Agency is doing to address indoor air pollution and quality in K-12 schools across the nation, and we look forward to partnering with you on this model project,” Link said. “We look forward to working with you on this project.”