This article originally appeared in the January-February 2006 issue of the Children's Advocate, published by Action Alliance for Children.

Grassroots Snapshot:

S.F. Parents win campaign for cleaner school buses

By Elisa Gahng

Until recently, San Francisco children rode to school in buses whose diesel fumes can trigger—and even cause—asthma. “Pollution inside an idling bus is five to fifteen times higher than outside,” says Maria Luz Torre, advocate with the San Francisco chapter of Parent Voices.

But thanks to Asthma Relief for Kids, a project of San Francisco Parent Voices, San Francisco school buses are now less polluting. ARK parents built on previous asthma campaigns, got more informed about asthma, gathered support, and worked with the school board to require new air filters on school buses—the resolution passed in February 2005. ARK’s strategies included

• Doing research: ARK members found that the school district allowed its buses to be more polluting than those in other districts—and that the bus contract was close to expiring.

• Weekly education and training meetings: ARK invited organizations, including the American Lung Association and the San Francisco Asthma Task Force, to discuss asthma and its triggers. ARK offers dinner and child care at every meeting “so more parents can freely participate,” says Torre.

“It’s a very empowering transformation to be informed and do your own research,” says parent Shirley Castillo. “We were just parents. (These organizations) had all these resources for us—(and) made me more confident in campaigning, a stronger advocate, and a more active mom in my own kid’s life.”

• Gathering support: ARK members collected over 200 signatures in support of cleaner buses from parents, teachers, and other supporters. “We went to schools and explained to (parents and teachers) what happens when a school bus idles, how much the pollution can trigger asthma,” recalls Castillo. “We went to child development classes in city colleges, pediatrician’s offices, ACORN meetings. We talked with as many people as possible.”

• Making alliances: “We made alliances with members of the school board and important organizations (including the American Lung Association and the school bus drivers’ union),” says Torre. “Their support gave weight to our argument.”

• Going to the school board: ARK brought the signatures to school board meetings. Parents and children with asthma testified about asthma attacks at school —and parents met with school board members to talk about working together.

“I didn’t realize how much power you have when you can talk in front of the board,” says parent Lorie Jones. Parent Sandra Estrada agrees, “I used to be the shyest person. But now, I can go up there and speak from my heart.”

• Writing a resolution: ARK parents worked with other asthma organizations and school board members to write a resolution that called for new air filters on new buses within four years as part of the bus contract’s renewal.

“Parent Voices brought a lot of research and education to the table and helped us think through how compromises can be made amid the current budget crisis,” says School Board President Eric Mar.

ARK has been recognized by several Bay Area and federal agencies—and received the 2005 Clean Air Champion Award.

“You have a right to stand up for your child,” says Castillo. “I don’t know politics and public speaking, but I know my child. The rest comes on its own.”

• SF Parent Voices, 415-343-3383, www.parentvoices.org

Return to top

Extra resources from the Children’s Advocate bulletin

• Asthma Health Outcomes Project studied 500 asthma programs that reduce emergency room visits, improve quality of life, and improve school attendance. Also provides information on how these programs overcame common barriers. Online at http://www.asthma.umich.edu

• Deluged by Diesel: Healthy Solutions for West County, from the Pacific Institute, offers strategies for reducing pollution in residential areas. Developed by residents of West Contra Costa County and project partners, strategies include incentives for truck retrofitting, better enforcement of laws, changes to zoning policies, and outreach. Online at http://www.pacinst.org/ reports/west_county_diesel

• Toolkit for Reducing Diesel Emissions, from the New England Asthma Regional Council, compiles information on reducing diesel emissions at schools. Online at http://www.asthmaregionalcouncil.org/
  about/_BusToolkit.htm

To stay informed about new and upcoming Children’s Advocate articles, related resources, and advocacy opportunities, sign up for our Children’s Advocate bulletin

Return to top

Action Alliance
for Children
e-mail aac@4children.org
1201 Martin Luther
King Jr. Way
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 444-7136