Green Schools Save Districts Money December 14, 2011

Education News offers a summary of recent “Local Leaders in Sustainability” report by the American Institute of Architects and the U.S. Green Building Council showing how greening schools is not only eco-friendly but saves districts money!  One example given is school system in Mississippi saving  $23,000 in energy costs in the past year by participating in the Tennessee Valley Authority Green School Initiative (a program called Green Power Switch which produces electricity from renewable sources).

The report explains the benefits of greening schools, explains roles local/state/federal can play to go green, as well as providing ideas and action plans to green schools.Green school improve student health, decrease absenteeism, improve student performances, keep teacher retention, can be used as a teaching tool,  bring community together, save money by using less water and electricity, increase property values, and do not cost more than conventional schools!

One of the best things of the report are the Model Advocate and Profile of a  Green School sections – real world examples of advocates for greening school, such as Mayor Riley of Charleston SC who believes so strongly in this endeavor he promote  a now existing  a one-cent sales tax to support green school construction!  And Profiles of Green Schools like River Crest Elementary School in Hudson, WI -  a green school constructed below the cost of a conventional school!   The end of the report offers suggestion such as connecting with your local USGBC Chapter, creating a green school task force,  hosting a green school summit, creating a green school challenge, hire a green school fellow, create a green energy school policy or green cleaning policy, tour other green schools, and info on lots of groups to check out.

Green Lunches August 25, 2010

Do you bring a lunch? Bringing your own lunch is both economical, greener (if you bring a reusable container!),  and usually healthier!  Treehugger has some fabulously fun suggestions for packing a lunch – well  – for kids but I would like some of these as an adult. Check out their slideshow of ideas like this one from Goodbyn or this Tiffin set from To-Go ware… or the cute Snack Taxi:

green resources for kids August 23, 2010

With school year beginning, here are some great resources, websites, and groups for your school, kids, teachers, and librarians to use and promote:

• Tree Musketeers: A non profit charity  -started by 3rd graders in 1987 – for kids to ” empower young people to be environmental leaders.
• NRDC’s The Green Squad:  (aimed at 5th – 8th grade)The Green Squad teaches kids about the relationship between their schools and environmental and health issues. The site also offers a nice library of resources & fact sheets, and a Parent-Teacher Room.
• EPA’s Environmental Kids’ Club: (for young kids) Fun and informative,  for kids to explore their environment and learn how to protect it  with games, pictures, and stories.
  • For teachers check out the teacher site.
  • For middle school kids, check out the EPA site for you.
  • And  for high schoolers check out the high school environmental center.
• Its’ Getting Hot in Here – Dispatches from Youth Climate Movement:  (for older teens and youth) A collection of voices from the student and youth leaders of the global movement to stop global warming. Originally created by youth leaders to allow youth to report from the International Climate Negotiations in Montreal in 2005, It’s Getting Hot in Here has since grown into a global online community with over 300 writers from countries around the world… (More info)  Check out their Events & Opportunities or  contact them to find out about becoming a contributor!

Teaching Green Resources February 24, 2010

Online Degree Programs has a great blog post called: Teaching Green: 100 Tips, Tools & Resources for Every Kind of Classroom. They offer lists of online resources by category and here are some examples:

• K12 Educators: TeachingGreen, Classroom Earth,or Project WILD
• K12 Students: Kids Links Teaching Green, A Walk in the Woods or EcoKids
• College Resources:Second Nature or Teaching Sustainable Product Design
• Green Organizations: National Wildlife Federation, Fuel Economy, or Earth Day Network
• Tips for K12 Educators: create school garden or worm bin
• Tips for College Educators: virtual speakers or green challenges.
• Online Games & Tools:WolfQuest, ElectroCity, or Global Warming Interactive.
• Green Lectures: Michael Pollen gives a plant’s-eye view
• Online Courseware Classes: Tropical Ecology and Conservation or Seminar in Environmental Science

2010 America’s Greenest School Contest January 27, 2010

Tell your students to submit an entry to the 2010 American’s Greenest School Contest.  The entry can be in the form of a photo collection, music, a video, an essay, or photos of a diorama, collage or piece of artwork explaining what you’d do if you were in charge of making your school a greener, more eco-friendly place.  All K-12 students in public or private school can apply.  You can win the clean, green IC Bus™ Hybrid Bus, LEED Certified Audit and Green Makeover for your school,  free concert by The Maine, the official band of America’s Greenest School, $3,000 scholarship for the winning student and/or classroom, $500 in class supplies for the winning teacher/sponsor.  They will choose top 10 finalist and then everyone, all of america can vote on the winner.  March 8th is deadline.

A “greener” school fundraising idea January 6, 2010

Equal Exchange, worker owned co-op, offers fairly traded products such as coffee, tea and snacks you can often find in your local stores. They also offer a fundraising program for public and private schools and organizations!  Watch this video for more details:

Sustainable Schools August 7, 2009

The District Administration Magazine has a Sustainable Schools Special Section available online with some great articles:

• A Deeper Shade of Green By Ron Schachter – School administrators embrace greener principles despite major school budget cuts.
• Creative Ways of Reducing Energy Costs By Kurt Dyrli – Energy saving initiatives that districts have implemented.
• The New School Lunch By Brian D. Wallace – As part of a healthier school food movement, food service providers and district administrators find ways to provide better meals.
• A Wholesome Chef By Angela Pascopella – The food service provider for two northwest school districts, on feeding students quality meals.
• Business Brings Sustainable Lessons to School

Environmental Education Grants December 5, 2008

Less than two weeks left to apply for the EPA’s Environmental Education Grants.  If you library is considering any sort of environmental education project  “that enhance the public’s awareness, knowledge, and skills to help people make informed decisions that affect environmental quality,” you might think about appying.  Grant amounts generally range from $15,000 to $25,000. Check out past grant recipient projects for ideas. Over 3200 grants have been awarded since 1992 and usually $2-$3 million dollars is available each year. Deadline to apply is December 18,2008.

New Green Schools November 5, 2008

The non-profit group Global Green and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) have started a pilot project initiative to create green schools which serve low income children in the Los Angeles area. Two schools have been complete and 3 more are in the works. Global Green is also pushing the initiative for greener schools in New Orleans.  Their goal is to create healthier classrooms and more energy efficient schools. This will not only protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions but improve student performance and save money for school districts. Read more about their green urbanism program.

NY Schools Go Green September 25, 2008

Check out these programs, grants, and  resources available to those in New York Schools:

Green Schools Challenge – Sponsored by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the State Department of Education to recognize those schools that are working towards responsible solid waste management by developing waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and/or buy recycled products and packaging programs.

New York Recycles! Poster Contest This contest promoting recycling and buying recycled in New York State. Visit the link for details.

Green Schools – This webpage is a comprehensive solid waste management program; however, here are areas to consider that will help further your transformation to a Green School.

A School Waste Reduction, Reuse, Recycling, Composting and Buy Recycled Resource Book (PDF)-  The purpose of this Resource Book is to provide you with some basic information on a waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and buying recycled products and packaging program for your school.

Recycling Grants for School – Funding is available to school districts under the  Municipal Waste Reduction & Recycling (MWRR) State Assistance Program and will provide 50% matching grants paid on a reimbursement basis up to a maximum of $2 million, for projects that enhance school/municipal recycling or composting programs for  purchasing of equipment that is used to recycle or compost or reimbursing salaries of recycling coordinators and recycling public education.