Seattle Public Schools

Conservation News & Announcements
(email your conservation news to us so we can share it with others!)

01/25/08
Shared Savings Program 2006/07 Awards Announced
Thanks to the help of custodians, teachers, principals, students, and community members we are proud to announce the recipients of the 2006/07 Shared Savings Awards. Click here to view a complete list of winning schools.
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01/16/08
T-Shirt Design Contest Participant Recognition Ceremony
Article at http://www.seattleschools.org/area/conservation/seattlecan_tshirt.html.
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12/4/07
Anti-Idling Policy is Adopted at JSCEE
The Seattle Public Schools Maintenance Department is working towards protecting public health and conserving resources by committing to reduce vehicle idling. In addition to maintenance vehicles, idling is no longer permitted in the parking lots at the Stanford Center.
Vehicle exhaust is the leading source of hazardous air pollution in Washington. According to the American Lung Association, toxic air pollutants account for an additional 700 cases of cancer for every 1 million Washingtonians. That’s nearly 375 people in Seattle alone! Idling is also bad for our kids. Asthma is the most common chronic illness in children and the cause of most school absences. Their symptoms increase as a result of vehicle exhaust.
Contrary to popular belief, idling is not an effective way to warm up a vehicle. Excessive idling is actually hard on your engine because it isn’t working at peak operating temperature and fuel does not undergo complete combustion. Driving warms up vehicles more efficiently. Frequent restarting has little impact on engine components like the battery and starter motor. Small costs in component maintenance will likely be recovered several times over in fuel savings.
If you will be stopped for more than 10 seconds, remember to turn your engine off!
Related Articles-
http://www.airwatchnorthwest.org/anti-idling.htm
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10/31/07
Green Pumpkins are Great Pumpkins at Summit School
A Seattle public school’s 6th grade class gave Halloween a green twist this year – or more accurately a green “twisty”. As part of a lesson on energy efficiency, Marty Christianson’s students at Summit School carved pumpkins outfitted with the new mini, compact fluorescent “twisty” bulbs.
The “green” jack o’lanterns were all lit up when Seattle City Light conservation specialist Anne Ducey spoke to the class October 30th . “We’re entering the peak energy-use season in the Northwest. Even though children don’t pay the power bills, they are energy consumers, and will be for a lot longer than any grown ups, so I think it’s important to make them aware of what they can do to save energy,” says Ducey. “I hope they will think about it every day.”
She adds that the city of Seattle’s new Twist & Save program makes this an especially good time to start using compact fluorescents. In partnership with City Light, dozens of stores in Seattle and King County are selling Energy Star CF bulbs at some of the lowest prices ever. The deals will last through 2008, and bulbs can be purchased without coupons or rebate forms. “If home and business owners make some changes now, they will have lower power bills this winter,” assures Ducey who says she’s hoping Ms. Christianson’s students suggested their light bulb trick as a Halloween treat for their parents.
-Related Articles-
http://www.seattle.gov/twistandsave
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10/21/07
Goats Help Clean Up Invasive Plants at Gatewood
With a strong focus on environmental education, stewardship and science, Gatewood Elementary School hosted around 60 weed-eating goats on Oct. 18-21. The goats helped clear overgrown ivy and blackberry bushes as part of the school’s playground renovation project, Operation Imagination. The Gatewood PTA, in partnership with Local Union 609 and SPS Grounds staff, sponsored this event after many attempts to address years of overgrowth.
Now that the invasive groundcovers and thorny bushes that cover the steep hillsides in the west and south areas of the school are cleared, volunteers will remove the remaining roots (without pesticides), plant more environmentally friendly trees, lay down recycled burlap (donated by Starbucks) and spread mulch.
Gatewood principal Rhonda Claytor said “Gatewood is a school that actively teaches environmental stewardship and learning by doing. As an educational community that embraces a holistic approach to learning and service we are excited about the positive impact this entire project has on children and helping them become active stewards for our environment.
”Operation Imagination began about three years ago when a group of PTA parents, students, and community volunteers came together to plan and renovate the school’s playground and equipment. The plans include a multi-generational learning garden, student art on the entryways, a second play structure for older children who use the playground, a new playfield, and new trees.
The group has received funds from the city’s Small and Simple Grant Program and a $90,000 matching grant from the city’s Department of Neighborhoods. The majority of matching funds will be met through volunteer time and labor. A group of parents and Seattle Public Schools gardeners have been gathering for cleanup weekend parties and have logged almost 500 hours.

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09/27/07
SPS Climate Action Now T-Shirt Design Contest Launched
As part of current efforts to raise awareness about climate change solutions, we are pleased to announce the launch of the SPS Climate Action Now T-Shirt Design Contest. The contest, co-sponsored by the City of Seattle, offers an opportunity for students to convey their ideas about climate change solutions. All Seattle Public School District K - 12 students are eligible to participate.
The winning design will be featured on Seattle Climate Action Now t-shirts! Additionally, twelve honorable mention designs will be featured in a 2008 Seattle Climate Action Now calendar. Entries must be received no later than 5:00pm, November 9th. Early Bird submissions (those received before October 26th) will be eligible for display at the Mayor's National Climate Protection Summit. For more information about the contest, click here.
-Related Articles-
http://www.seattlecan.org
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06/21/07
School Board Commits to Effort to Reduce Greenhouse Gasses
The Seattle School Board unanimously adopted a resolution during its regular meeting on June 20 that directs Seattle Public Schools (SPS) to become a member of the Seattle Climate Partnership. The Partnership, which includes government, higher education, and private sector organizations, is committed to reducing greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
The Seattle Climate Partnership is a voluntary agreement among local organizations to find ways to reach Seattle’s community-wide goal of meeting or exceeding a 7 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2012, based on 1990 emissions levels. The resolution’s adoption makes Seattle Public Schools the first public K-12 school district to become a Seattle Climate Partnership member.
“This partnership demonstrates to staff, students, families and the community that Seattle Public Schools values the environment,” said Irene Stewart, chair of the School Board Operations Committee. “By reducing greenhouse gases that harm our ecosystems, we increase the likelihood that our children and grandchildren will inherit a healthy earth with fewer environmental problems.”
The board resolution calls for each SPS department to develop an action plan with measurable goals and identified steps that will help Seattle Public Schools reduce greenhouse gases. Each action plan should include “a cost/benefit analysis adequate to ensure that these plans will be implemented in a manner that does not reduce resources available for learning and teaching or district operations,” the resolution states.
Actions that SPS is considering include partnerships with utility companies to obtain rebates on new construction and building upgrades that are energy and/or water efficient; and educating staff and students on what they can do in their own work and classroom spaces to reduce greenhouse gas and resource use.
The board resolution follows adoption last year of a strong board policy on Natural Resources Conservation, which has resulted in an estimated 3.5 percent total reduction in utilities for the 2006-2007 school year, a cost savings of $342,700.
In addition, the district has reduced the use of fossil fuels by 8.6 percent this year or 1,266 metric tons of C02. This represents 25 percent of the 4,908 metric tons of CO2 the district has voluntarily committed to reduce, meeting the Kyoto Protocol.
“SPS staff members and students have embraced the need to implement resource conservation measures,” said Superintendent Raj Manhas. “Some creative, practical, and sustainable ideas have been implemented.”
Some of the actions the district has taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, meet the reduction in CO2 goals and conserve natural resources, include:
*Changing the heating and cooling set points to reflect a broader temperature range. This significantly reduces electricity and natural gas consumption district-wide. In addition, heating and cooling schedules have been adjusted to more closely reflect school operating hours and staff schedules.
*Performing mechanical upgrades on operating equipment to increase efficiency.
*Reducing garbage and recycling pick-ups, which lowers the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by trucks servicing SPS facilities.
*Adapting the time that computers automatically shut off district-wide to align with staff schedules.
*Expanding the student-run composting program, which now includes Concord, Laurelhurst, Lawton, John Muir and West Woodland elementary schools, and Salmon Bay K-8.
*More efficient irrigation schedule for sports complexes, which reduces water use.
courtesy of 6/21/07 SPS News Release
-Related Articles-
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/318949_climated.html
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06/19/07
West Woodland Auction Produces Almost No Waste
In order to educate and conserve, this message was inside the front page of West Woodland's auction catalog: In an effort to model what we are teaching our kids about being stewards of the earth, we are going to have much less waste at our auction this year. To that end we are collecting all of the food waste and sending it back to Cedar Grove for them to create new compost for our gardens (thank you to Cedar Grove for donating this service). We are using biodegradable cups for beer and cocktails that will also be turned into compost at Cedar Grove. All cardboard, paper and plastic we generate on site will be recycled. By using reusable serve-ware for the plates, silverware and wine glasses we will further reduce the waste generated. With all of these actions we will have very little garbage as a result of our fun evening! Our goal is for all the families at West Woodland to take this Green Message home and continue to reduce, reuse and recycle.
courtesy of West Woodland 2007 Auction Catalog
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06/05/07
Seattle Schools Team Up to Improve Environment
Chief Sealth High School's Sports and Events Marketing Class has created a unique environmental project called Project Earth Care, in which Sealth students work with Denny Middle and Gatewood Elementary school students on a project to improve the environment.
Working in conjunction with world renowned nature photographer Art Wolfe, the pilot project focuses on the revitalization of Pelly Place ravine, a natural area in West Seattle. Upon completion, the Pelly Place ravine will be a key link to future trails, pedestrian greenways and boulevards – complementing and connecting features of the Green Crescent, both within Morgan Junction and to other West Seattle neighborhoods. The final piece of the project is a 20-minute, living history video documentary on the ravine and surrounding community that traces its evolution over the last 200 years. A companion photographic exhibit, focusing on the site, will be presented along with the video upon completion of the project.
The eight Sealth students who are producing the event have been working with, and mentoring, eight students from Denny Middle school and more than 100 students from Gatewood Elementary on various aspects of the project. For more information, contact Gary Thomsen, teacher at Chief Sealth High School.
courtesy of School Beat 6/5/2007
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05/15/07
Terry Husseiman Sustainable Schools Award won by 2 SPS Programs
Four Seattle elementary schools have been awarded grants from the state Department of Ecology to expand or create composting programs. Muir Elementary won $1,350 to start a composting program in the cafeteria. The money will also be used to train fourth- and fifth-graders to teach other students about recycling, and monitor students' composting efforts.
Lawton Elementary, West Woodland Elementary and Laurelhurst Elementary will share a $1,000 grant to help expand a composting program developed at Lawton. The three schools plan to use the money to create a startup kit for other schools, with step-by-step instructions and seed money.
courtesy of SeattlePI.com
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05/11/07
Fuel Free Friday at Lawton
Lawton Elementary launched their first of many walking school bus Fuel Free Fridays on May 4th. Students were escorted by parents, teachers, and staff from 5 separate locations about a mile from the school. On the inaugural day there were more than 125 students who walked to school up from an average of about 50.
Not only did this reduce the amount of pollution and traffic congestion around the school, but the students arrived at school refreshed and ready to learn. Before the day had even started our students already had a good solid 20 minutes of exercise. We also calculated that there was a fuel savings of at least 125 gallons in one morning. Imagine the cost savings. One second grader commented "I used to think walking to school would be really really boring, and long, and tiring, but it was really FUN!"
courtesy of Lawton Elementary
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04/19/07
2007 King County Earth Heroes at School Announced
Two Seattle Public Schools were honored at the April 19, 2007 Earth Heroes at School Awards Presentation. The schools were honored by King County in the categories of "Students" and "Programs". The Students Award went to Clara Manahan, Philip Park, Teal Stannard of West Woodland Elementary. " These three students were leaders in establishing West Woodland as the third school in the Seattle School District to have a lunchroom composting and recycling program. They conducted research and shared their findings with the rest of the school; they designed a lesson plan to teach other students how to sort materials for composting, recycling and disposal; they monitored for quality control; they did this all with enthusiasm and passion."
The Programs Award went to the Laurelhurst Elementary School Lunchroom Composting & Recycling Program. "Due to the efforts of the fifth grade students and teachers, lunch room garbage at Laurelhurst Elementary has been reduced by 88%. The fifth graders trained the other students how to separate their lunch waste for composting and recycling. Teachers Pat Howard, Grace Dubin, and Kristin Capps and parent volunteer Mindy McGovern all contributed significantly to establishing the program, which has demonstrated to the community that teamwork can have an impact on our environment."
For a complete list of the 2007 Earth Heroes at School Winners, click here.
courtesy of KingCounty.gov
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Updated 3/17/08