Why does my school feel warmer/cooler this year?
In accordance with district standards adopted in November 2006, classrooms and offices are heated at 68 degrees and cooled at 76 degrees. Lunchrooms and auditoriums are heated at 65 degrees and cooled at 76 degrees. Gyms and hallways are heated at 62 degrees. In most cases, this is about a 2 degree difference from temperatures last year.
These set-points are based on the Washington Administrative Code for Primary & Secondary Schools (WAC) 246-366-090 and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 55-2004. Washington State Legislature specifies rooms should be heated to at least 65 degrees except for gymnasiums which should be heated to at least 60 degrees. The district felt those temperatures would be too cool for our facilities and raised them to the current standards. The ASHRAE study concluded that after the body has had time to adjust, 80% of people will be comfortable in 68-76 degree room temperatures. (Note: see below for more information about accommodations for students and staff members with special needs.)
Scheduled operating hours for the heating/cooling system are based on staff's contract hours. For example, school offices begin heating/cooling earlier than classrooms. Events or meetings outside of contract hours must have a Building Use Permit, where heating/cooling may be requested. See below for more information.
Click here for a building temperature handout.
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What can I do to make the temperature in my space more comfortable?
While each space is slightly different, there are some things that many of us can do to regulate room temperatures. For example, try to avoid sitting under the supplied air fans in the room. They are required by building codes but can make a space seem drafty on cool days. Dress weather appropriately and in layers to allow yourself to adjust to temperature variations throughout the day and school year. Close doors to the hallway or exterior and shut window blinds or shades, where possible, to help keep the room temperature regulated. Check to see that there are no direct heat sources near the thermostat, such as computers.
Click here for a building temperature handout.
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A room occupant has special heating/cooling needs. What accommodations are available?
Some students and staff members have special needs that require room temperature to be outside of the district's standard heating and cooling set-points. In order to request an exemption from the standards, simply complete a Room Temperature Waiver Request and send it to the address provided on the form. If there is a pressing need for a temperature change, please contact us immediately.
Click here for a building temperature handout.
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Do I need to turn off my computer manually even though it automatically shuts down?
We currently use Verdiem's SURVEYOR software to automatically shut down District computers. Seemingly small energy savings add up quickly when you consider that there are about 16,000 PCs in the District. During the first year of use, Seattle Public Schools saved over $70,000!
In general, school computers are scheduled to shut down at 4:30 pm. Computers at John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence shut down at 5:15 pm. If you'd like your computer left on, simply click "Delay" or "Skip" when prompted (prompt appears 15 minutes before shut down).The software does an excellent job of shutting down the CPU but it does not shut off the monitor. Please be sure to turn off your monitor when you leave your desk.
Remember, you don't have to wait for surveyor to turn your computer off. You can shut down your computer manually when you leave. (Note: in order to install important anti-virus software, there are some days you are asked to leave your computer on. At schools, please leave your computer on every Friday evening. At JSCEE, please leave your computer on every Wednesday and Friday evening. You will still receive updates after you have logged off and turned off your monitor.) Contact the Department of Technology Services with questions.
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What should I do with my electrical equipment at the end of the school year?
End-of-the-year Technology Storage Procedures:
Presentation Stations. Your presentation station, document camera, and projector are likely on a movable cart. Unplug the 25' surge strip AND the network cable from the wall and coil them at the cart. Cover the document cameral with a cloth or similar protection. Store both remote controls (projector and document camera) with your Sound System equipment.
Sound Systems. Your sound system requires little maintenance. Remove batteries from both microphones. Keep all parts together (mics, batteries, charging stand with power cord, auxiliary cables) in a secure dry place. After your return to school, several recharging cycles will bring your batteries back to their full potential.
Personal Computers & Accessories. Delete all unnecessary files. Ensure all other files are saved in "My Documents", not on your desktop or on your local hard drive. Use a personal USB flash drive for storage if the quantity of files is too large for "My Documents". Turn off and unplug your computer, monitor, printer, speakers, radios and any other electrical equipment.
Contact the Department of Technology Services with questions.
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Who do I notify when I notice unnecessary lighting or malfunctioning equipment?
Notify the school's Custodial Engineer when you notice any unusual utility use. They can be reached by dialing the school's phone number. To find a school's phone number, click here and select the school.
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I have an event outside of normal school hours. How do I ensure heating/cooling for it?
A Building Use Permit is required for all events, meetings, and functions outside of normal school hours. When completing the form, be sure to check the line marked "AC or Heat". Please be aware that there may be charges associated with Building Use Permits. For more information on Building Use Permits, click here.
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Who do I notify when I find a water source left on or a leak?
Notify the school's Custodial Engineer when you notice any unusual utility use. They can be reached by dialing the school's phone number. To find a school's phone number, click here and select the school.
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How and when should we water our school garden and landscaped areas?
Gardens are a wonderful teaching tool for water conservation and also provide a pleasant area for building occupants. There are several different watering techniques that may be used. In general, hand watering is the preferred method after the garden is established. When used as a teaching tool, hand watering allows students to measure the water needed and explore options for conservation.
Gardens and landscaped areas may also use a drip hose or soaker hose system. In this case, it is important to monitor the system closely in order to detect leaks or inefficiencies. For maximum water retention, soaker hoses should be buried under a layer of mulch to reduce evaporation. Inefficient overhead spray irrigation is not permitted.
In all cases, attention should be given to the time of day and condition of the soil. Watering early in day helps reduce evaporation that occurs in the warmer afternoons. Cultivate the soil well and amend it with compost to help it retain water. Applying a layer of much, such as compost or tree mulch, also helps to conserve water. Plus, it creates habitat for beneficial insects, insulates the plants during the winter, and squelches weed growth! Remember that once the garden is established, which takes about two summers, it requires less water. Contact Self Help if you are interested in starting a school garden.
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What materials can be recycled in the blue bins?
Recycling at school is different from recycling at home. SPS is a commercial customer so we are able to put the following materials into the recycling bin: office paper (including sticky notes), catalogs, magazines, envelopes, flattened cardboard, newspapers, shredded paper (in strips, not confetti), plastic bottles and jugs, glass bottles, aluminum and tin cans, juice and milk cartons (emptied), and plastic tubs. Please do not put paper plates, napkins, paper towels, plastic utensils, plastic bags, plastic cups, lids or caps into the recycling bin. For more information about our waste, click here. For recycling posters, click here.
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There are unneeded newspapers delivered to my school. How do I modify my subscription?
Unneeded newspapers create unnecessary waste that must be disposed of by the school. If you notice newspaper subscriptions that are not being used or would like to adjust your service, please call Newspapers in Education at 206-652-6290 for the Seattle Times, 206-652-6289 for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer or simply email nie@seattletimes.com or nie@seattlepi.com.  Changes in any order generally take three business days to take effect.
Please note that the teacher receiving the papers will need to contact them directly.
You can also send the newspaper home with your students one day a week with a small homework assignment. Not only does this method reduce the amount of waste at the school, but sending newspapers home with students promotes family literacy and encourages students to discuss current events at home.
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How do I start a composting program at my school?
Many schools currently have composting programs and there are several ways to go about it. Some schools choose to do on-site composting while others opt for commercial, or off-site, composting. On-site programs typically consist of a dedicated outside space where food waste is processed and monitored. Food waste for onsite composting does not include proteins like meat, eggs, and dairy due to the possible health and rodent threat. To start an on-site composting program, contact Self Help.
In contrast, commercial composting programs allow all types of food waste since it is picked-up and taken to a processing facility on a weekly basis. For more information on commercial composting, click here and select "How to Begin a School Composting Program". For more information on our waste, click here. Please contact us with any other questions.
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How do I recycle ink and toner cartridges from our printer/copy machine?
Office Depot supplies a free collection box and pre-paid shipping labels for ink/toner cartridges. A collection box can be ordered from Office Depot which can then be placed in a convenient, central location. When the box is full, simply seal and return it, then order another one. Inkjet Collection Box: Item # 816-656. Laser Collection Box: Item # 824-712. There are also many other organizations and companies that recycle ink and toner cartridges. It is up to each school to decide what's best for them.
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What should I do with used batteries and other hazardous materials?
There are strict environmental regulations governing the proper and safe disposal of hazardous wastes (such as paints, sealers, fluorescent lights, batteries, flamable or corrosive liquids, metal compounds, etc.). This also includes nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, lead acid batteries, and battery buttons. It does not, however, include the more common alkaline batteries which should be placed in the garbage. For more information about SPS Hazardous Waste Management, click here. There are also several fixed disposal sites in Seattle where materials can be dropped off. Fluorescent light bulb disposal is coordinated by the school custodian. Bringing hazardous waste from home and disposing of it at a District facility is prohibited due to the large cost associated with disposal/recycling of such materials. (Note for Science Teachers: your used batteries can be returned with your modules in January. Be sure to label them clearly with "USED BATTERIES TO BE DISPOSED OF".)
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How can I reduce waste at my next event?
Start by thinking of creative ways to keep materials out of the garbage. For example, in order to model what they were teaching students about environmental stewardship West Woodland committed to having less waste at their annual auction. To that end, they collected all of the food waste and sent it back to Cedar Grove for them to create new compost for their gardens. They used biodegradable cups for beer and cocktails that were also turned into compost. All cardboard, paper and plastic that was generated on site was recycled. By using reusable serve-ware for the plates, silverware and wine glasses they were able to further reduce the waste generated.
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