Month @ Glance - Friends of the Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox library

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What would a school look like if it was designed with mental health in mind? Too many public schools look and feel like prisons, designed out of fear of vandalism and truancy. But we know that nurturing environments are better for learning. Research consistently shows that access to nature, big classroom windows, and open campuses reduce stress, anxiety, disorderly conduct, and crime, and improve academic performance. But too few school designers and decision-makers apply this research to create healthy schools. Schools That Heal details the myriad opportunities—from furniture to classroom improvements to whole campus renovations—to make supportive learning environments for our children and teenagers.

Schools around the world have been designed to support students’ health. A Japanese community decimated by a tsunami has incorporated water elements into the school campus to reconnect students to nature in a supportive way and promote environmental stewardship. Sandy Hook Elementary, creating a completely redesigned campus in the wake of a school shooting, began with an inclusive design process to ensure the new school could be a place of healing and learning. And while the larger mental and physical impacts of how COVID-19 has changed schooling aren’t known yet, Latané discusses how building elements like large windows—that can open to circulate fresh air—were once common in schools and could once again be useful as a cost-effective tactic for reducing virus exposure.

Backed by decades of research, Schools That Heal showcases clear and compelling ways to create schools that support students’ mental health and feelings of safety. Written in an accessible tone, this book reviews the evidence connecting design to mental health and makes design and advocacy recommendations to support students’ well-being and sense of safety.

With invaluable advice for school administrators, public health experts, teachers, and parents, Schools That Heal is a call to action and a practical resource to envision and implement nurturing and inspiring school environments. Healthy, healing campuses will better prepare students to take care of themselves, their communities, their cities, and their planet.

Advocacy

One of the primary roles of the Friends of the Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox Library is to advocate for the Branch and for San Diego Public Library.

Library Foundation San Diego

If you are interested in participating in our calls for advocacy at critical times throughout the year (particularly during City of San Diego budget deliberations), please visit Library Foundation San Diego and sign up for updates.

Libraries Transform San Diego

As part of the #LibrariesTransformSD coalition of Library supporters, we have had success encouraging local leaders to more fully fund public libraries. We need you to add your voice to other library supporters. If you are interested in participating in advocacy efforts, visit Libraries Transform San Diego to sign up as a coalition member.

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