More than 100 public schools have implemented the AFSZ program since it began in 2001 on New York City’s Lower East Side.
See a map of AFSZ Schools.

School Zone News is a monthly, newsletter for families, containing information about asthma and environment, and seasonal tips for keeping children healthy and in school. (Eng/Sp/Chinese)

Durable outdoor AFSZ signs designate school zones, inform about laws and signal concern for the health and welfare of children.

Asthma Free School Zone (AFSZ) works with schools and communities to reduce asthma-related illness and absenteeism by improving school-wide asthma management and local air quality.

Asthma-related Absenteeism
Children with asthma miss school for two reasons: 1) they have symptoms, and 2) their parents don’t trust the school to handle the possibility that their children might have symptoms. By improving the understanding of asthma and its link to environment, and the ability of an informed staff to handle emergencies, a school can gain the confidence of parents who might otherwise keep children home.

The AFSZ has worked with the administration, staff and parent associations in more than 100 NYC schools to help them create the safest, healthiest learning environment possible. Our work is supported by the NYC Departments of Education, Transportation, and Health and Mental Hygiene.

AFSZ schools are recognizable by their No-Idling and No-Smoking signs, which designate the school zone, inform people of relevant laws, and signal a community concern for the health and welfare of children.

Enrollment in the AFSZ Program
After a Memorandum of Understanding is signed by the principal, AFSZ provides the school with:

• The Program Kit that includes a 116-page Guide, a CD/DVD with PowerPoint trainings, educational videos, access to online lesson plans, and print packets
• Durable outdoor No-Idling and No-Smoking signs
• Year-round print and technical support in program implementation
• Access to team development Training-of-Trainer workshops
• Access to an online School Resource Center (www.afsz.org)
The school then names two staff members to:
• Act as liaisons between the school and the AFSZ office
• Help guide Asthma Support Team activities
• Oversee the implementation of the Program Kit

Two representatives from each school are invited to attend a yearly AFSZ
team-development Training-of-Trainer (ToT) workshop where they learn more about the components of the Kit, network with other program schools, and receive new and updated program materials.