Numerous studies have shown that indoor plants provide a number of benefits for health and wellbeing, including decreases in illness symptoms, increases in work performance and job satisfaction, and lifting of spirits (for review, see, eg., Burchett et al., 2010). One specific study, conducted in Norway (Fjeld, 2002) found that potted‐plants reduced sick‐leave absences among primary school children. The second report was from a Taiwanese study (Han, 2009), which found that both class marks and behaviour in elementary school students were improved when plants were installed in the classrooms and in the hallways.
Plants in the school setting have also been found to improve performance in middle school and highschool students (eg Shibata & Suzuki, 2004), and lower their feelings of physical discomfort (Lohr & Pearson‐Mims, 2000). Schools with planted classrooms and hallways rated their school experience more highly than those in the group without plants, indicating perhaps that both staff and students were happier with plants in their workspace.
Taking this information into account, I would like to request funding to support the purchase of several large planters, rolling base platforms for the planters, and large interior house plants so that we may "green" our hallways and entryways at Truckee Elementary. I have established a contact person in Reno who specializes in the selection of inside plants based on light and temperature variations. He is willing to donate his time to visit our school site, give recommendations, advice, and help us in purchasing plants as he owns a small garden shop in Reno theplantagenda@gmail.com. Eric at the Villager Nursery in Truckee has also offered to assist in helping us find large planters.