32 Shade Planning for America’s Schools Chapter 4 The EPA’s SunWise curriculum was exactly what the SHADE Foundation was seeking, and the partnership began there. As Ms. Rutsch remembers, “That was in October of 2002 when we first started corresponding. In January of 2003, we had our first face-toface meeting where we talked about working together.” How the Program Works TheSHADE SunWise School Program requires schools to qualify in two steps. The first step is to request the EPA SunWise curriculum, usually via the EPA SunWise Web site. Once a school has reviewed the curriculum and made the decision to implement it, the next step is to apply to the SHADE Foundation to participate in the SHADE SunWise School Program. The written grant statement must include a description of the policy and activities the school proposes to adopt for skin cancer prevention. Upon demonstration of sustained teaching activities and the implementation of sun protection policies, the Foundation gives grants for the consideration of a shade structure. The shade structures are an appropriate reward for the school’s achievements. Besides protecting students, teachers, staff, and visitors from overexposure to UV radiation, the structures contribute to a more comfortable environment for students to enjoy outdoor physical activities. As Sue Gorham points out, “Here in Arizona, when children slide down the sliding board, it is so hot that it could take the skin off their backs. Under these shade structures, the temperatures will drop as much as 20 degrees.” Cherokee Elementary school: the first school to graduate with the SHADE Foundation and SunWise curriculum. Building Costs The cost for providing a school with the 24' x 35' shade structure is between $6,000 and $10,000. The shade structures are of shade cloth, approximately 24' x 35' and hoisted on metal poles. The shade cloth provides 98% protection from UV radiation. Schools have flexibility in determining where on their grounds would be the most appropriate location for their shade structure. The SHADE Foundation assumes all costs of the shade structures, with money raised through a number of fund-raising events, ranging from auctions to golf tournaments. The first year of implementation was used to demonstrate both the program’s needs and SHADE’s fiscal responsibility and ability to execute the managerial and administrative duties of the project. Hoping to supplement its fund-raising efforts with grant money, the program began applying for grants in 2004. In 2005, SHADE received its first grant of $25,000 from Teammates for Kids. SHADE, now in its 4th year of giving grants, has funded approximately 50 structures across the nation at a cost of $267,000.
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