Thread by @erbrooker

I'd been wanting to do this for ages but had to wait for a window of dry weather... Finally, at the end of the winter term, I stood outside my primary school at pick-up time.

I had two DIY air filters behind me, some information on a flyer and a determination to chat.
🧵

6yr old and a stray cat "helped" me set up in the playground before all the parents appeared.

On display was one freshly-built new air filter and a dirty one that has been running for 6 months last year in my older son's class.

And I'd done a serious amount of colouring-in on this sign, which is the main message of our new, small but busy schools action group.

I wanted to meet and engage some of the parents in year groups that I don't already know, in talking about the air quality in our kids' classrooms.

I'd printed off copies of our simple Indoor Air Quality Fact File that I could thrust into hands; to pique parents' interest.

This will hopefully get displayed on the walls around our school ⬆️

Along with other information about how to manage air quality in a classroom.

We've arrived at a weird place in the UK, with the government encouraging us to send our kids to school whilst symptomatic with illness.

But this approach won't improve attendance. It will cause a spiral of sickness amongst children and a depleted teaching workforce.

At the end of term, my 10yr old told me this:

"Luke keeps grumbling that other children are coming in to class with sore throats and tummy aches.
That he then picks up and has to have time off with".

By talking to the teacher, requesting windows to open frequently and installing an air filter, I've done my best to improve the air quality of that class.

But if a child is sat right next to someone who is poorly, they will likely be struck down with it too.

Before 2019, I didn't think about the physical environment that my kids were learning in.

I stupidly assumed that someone important had got that covered. I'm not an Indoor Air Quality expert! What do I know?

Well, how wrong I was.

We've not got it covered. Not at all.

And our government are badly letting down our children's health and education. The buildings are desperate for investment.

Despite feeling semi-silly standing there trying to generate attention and keep half a side-eye on my escape artist child..

My one-person protest was quite successful. I did actually meet and chat with some pupils and several very interested parents.

Some kids came up close and peered at the dirty air filter.

"Ewwwww! Is this in the air in my class? YUCK!"

One lady's little daughter has just been diagnosed with asthma and another mum knows a 5yr old who is in cancer treatment and starting at a different school.

Her family are obviously looking to reduce respiratory infection, because this leads to hospitalisation.

Of course I know all about that.

My 2yr old was diagnosed in 2019 with leukaemia. After 3 years of chemotherapy he is now on a limited schedule at our supportive school.

This is chugging away in his rather tight classroom.

The UK government don't appear to be actually doing anything to improve the situation for our children.

So it's down to us for now, parents!

Let's talk to head teachers, share information and get building.

#corsirosenthalbox

With thanks.
@CleanAirClassrm @Nat_E_Pearson @PeteUK7 @mishwoz @PlasticFull @CorsIAQ @JimRosenthal4