Leading A Sustainable SchoolWhy should we?

The government would like every school to be a sustainable school by

2020

What is a Green School? A Green School:

– Improves education through hands-on, real-world learning about energy, energy efficiency and sustainability

– Strengthens schools by saving money on energy costs

– Creates a healthy environment

– Is committed to implementing practices consistent with sustainable living, conservation of resources, waste reduction, recycling and increased reliance on renewable energy.

Green schools

They care about :• The energy and water it

consumes • The waste it produces• The food it serves • The traffic it attracts • The difficulties faced by

people living in its community and in other parts of the world.

This means integrating high

standards of achievement and

behavior with:

• The goals of healthy living• Environmental awareness• Community engagement• Citizenship

Care for oneself, for each other (across cultures, distances and generations), and for the environment (far and near).

Why green the curriculum?

• Combines existing Environmental Education with the systems of a building operation and maintenance

• Promotes habit changes throughout the district and the community

• Inspires and engages students to be part of the process for greening the school (a project based learning approach)

• Help impact Global Warming and Climate Change

Green Schools become the focal point of the community serving as a multi-purpose facility

and educating the next generation of environmental stewards and promoting the

next generation of green collar workers

Holland Township’s Green School initiative:

Create a school building or facility that is a healthy environment and improve education through hands-on, real world learning, while saving energy and resources to maximize financial efficiency.

green school

Mission Statement

Green School Kick off….. School Spirit Day September 21

• What is sustainability

• How green buildings can impact the environment in a positive way

• How to survey the local environment

• Conduct sustainability evaluations of their existing home and school

• Investigate and share low and no-cost solutions that will lessen their carbon footprint • Alternative transportation

Green Schools Curriculum Framework

• Sustainable Sites

• Water Efficiency

• Energy and Atmosphere

• Materials and Resources

• Indoor Environmental Quality

School Site Investigation

• Environmental Quality and outdoor environment

• Waste and Recycling

• Energy and Atmosphere (Watt Watchers Energy audit

• Water (Water assessment)

Use the school building and grounds as a teaching tool and provide hands-on real world learning for Holland Township students

Each grade level will chose one unit that compliments existing curriculum K-4 and 5-8

•Teachers will green one lesson that is already taught and will incorporate the grade level "Green Theme" by May 1st

•Once the grade has chosen a theme, use the following as a guide:

Unit 1. Water Efficiency:  Go Green to Keep it Clean

• How to reduce and reuse water  • Track the use of water in buildings.• Determine the quality of water locally• Determine if unhealthy situations exist in rivers, streams and ponds and identify causes and solutions. 

Unit 2. Energy, and Atmosphere:  Energy is Everything

• Learn about current uses of energy production methods• Global warming and climate change• How green buildings can significantly reduce the negative impact on greenhouse gas emissions• Learn about energy audits, alternative energy sources and the politics that drive continued use of current method

Unit 3. Materials and Resources: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

• Learn about waste management, regionally produced products, conservation and financial savings • Learn about new materials that are being produced using recycled content recycling programs• Local and global resources, populations and various other factors that will impact how and where we live in the future• Cradle to Cradle (Life cycle of a product) Can it be reused or recycled

Unit 4. Indoor /Outdoor Environmental Quality: A Healthy Place to Live, Learn, and Play

• Investigate the science, technology and the benefits from the increased quality of indoor air

• Investigate and maintain the outdoor green spaces

• Lighting, acoustics and temperature control

• Green cleaning and green hygiene (Spruce Industries and GoJo Co. etc)

• Students begin to assess and address these topics and develop an action plan to collect data, analyze and implement changes in their home, school and community

• The week would take place after testing.• Diverse activities will help develop students’

understanding of sustainability and foster 21st century skills.

• Will help to motivate and engage the students in real-life issues.

Week of activities on the themes of environmental awareness and sustainability

Teachers• Green one of your lessons that you already teach to

incorporate the grade level “Green Theme” by May 1st • Submit with your lesson plan and tag as a green lesson

Green week – one week after testing The week will be devoted to green education and

sustainability. Each content area will teach one green lesson during the week. Example: Monday/Math, Tuesday/LA, Wednesday/SS, Thursday/Science, Friday/Students will learn how to do an at home energy audit.

• Zero waste lunch• Suggestions for other activities (Staff/Student input)

Resources and curriculum ideas1. www.nj.gov/dep/opppc/epp.htm

2. The anti-bottle   www.vapur.us/store/5l.html could be a fundraiser

3. www.greenschoolsforteachers.wikispaces.com

4.http://greenschoolsforteachers.wikispaces.com/file/view/Greening+Existing+schools+project+guide.pdf

5.http://greenschoolsforteachers.wikispaces.com/file/view/Green+Existing+Building+workbook.pdf

6.http://www.nationalcollege.org.uk/index/leadershiplibrary/leadingschools/sustainable-schools/leading-a-sustainable-school/leadership-skills-and-characteristics.htm

7. www.energyhog.com teacher and student guide

8. www.smartlittlehouse.com sells nontoxic products..example. paint and building supplies

Resources and curriculum ideas10. Stem Watt Watchers NJ K-12 Free Interdisciplinary workshops for students and

lessons http://www.wilsoned.com/backup/Specialinfo.html

11.http://www.epa.gov/owow/NPS/kids/ Polluted Runoff (Nonpoint Source Pollution)

12.http://www.ase.org/resources The Latest in Energy Efficiency

13.http://www.facingthefuture.org/Curriculum/DownloadFreeCurriculum/tabid/114/Default.aspx for free lesson plans

14. Sample UBD cross curriculum Green unit http://greenschoolsforteachers.wikispaces.com/file/detail/Live+Green_+Live+Longer.doc

15.www.getecube.com eCube sells a product that goes over a thermostat in commercial refrigerators. This reduces energy consumption by (10-30%)

16. www.agreenernj.com offers a skylight solution that has a solar powered, GPS tracking mirror.

17.www.shawcontractgroup.com cradle to cradel products

Create a PLC Committee for Green Schools Initiativesthat will work with administration and building supervisor to develop analysis tools, research what is available, low cost or no cost solutions, benchmark actual savings to the school.

•What sustainable practices are currently in your school or community?

• What curriculum in your school addresses sustainability?

• Who would be the key stakeholders in your community to establishing a

network of support to make your school green?

• How would your community benefit by going green?

• What resources and support would you need to go green?

• Did you know that Holland Township Community now has a Green Team?

PLC