South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

We promote and protect the health of the public and the environment.

• Air Pollutants & Monitoring
• Laws & Regulations
• Permitting, Compliance, & Reporting
• Community & Local Interests
• Education & Outreach
• About Us
• A-Z Contacts Listing
• Regional Offices
• Organizational Chart
• Events Calendar

Fountain Inn Elementary School became the second B² participant in 2007. The school:

• enacted anti-idling policies for school buses, carpoolers, and delivery vehicles;
• posted "No Idling" Signs in front of the school;
• printed an anti-idling policy in the student/parent handbook;
• sent home newsletters to raise awareness about idling and air pollution;
• collected data on the number of idling vehicles on campus and learned that number has decreased over time; and
• created an Air Quality Patrol made up of fourth- and fifth-graders. Wearing their blue B² vests, the students help monitor the car lines, collect data, and remind parents to turn off their engines during arrival and dismissal.

2007-2008 Air Quality Patrol

Throughout the 2008-09 school year, Fountain Inn has continued to find new innovative ways to improve air quality. The school:

• encourages students to walk or bike to school, instead of riding in family vehicles;
• participated in International Walk to School Day in October;
• plans additional walk-to-school events throughout the school year;
• received a grant from Safe Routes to School in fall 2008 to help make their walking environment safer; and
• won a grant from DHEC's Champions of the Environment in March 2008 to transform the school's central courtyard, once a source of dust and lawnmower emissions, into a garden and outdoor classroom.

On May 28, 2008, the U.S. EPA recognized Greenville County for its dedication to excellence in achieving clean air with a Clean Air Excellence Award.

In November 2008, Principal Glen Wile was named 'Outstanding School Administrator' at DHEC's inaugural "Spare the Air" Awards.

During the 2009 - 2010 school year, they decreased the number of idling vehicles from 25% to 1%.

Fountain Inn Courtyard over time...

Before students transformed the school's central courtyard, it produced dust and lawnmower emissions that were drawn into the school's intake vents, affecting air quality inside the building.

Autumn 2007

Winter 2007

Spring 2008

Students, teachers, parents, and other community volunteers (including nonprofit group TreesGreenville) helped plant, landscape, put down mulch, and spread stones for the garden paths.

The benefits were numerous:

• The garden decreased the mowing area — and lawnmower emissions near the school.
• The trees planted shade the school to reduce the energy demand of air conditioning, filter pollutants out of the air, and reduce stormwater runoff and soil erosion.
• Downspouts from the roof collect rainwater for the plants.
• All grade levels use the garden for outdoor science lessons.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized the efforts of Fountain Inn with a special Children's Health Month certificate at their B²/Courtyard kickoff event in October 2007.

For assistance please contact...