District News
Seattle Schools to help conserve: 37 Seattle Public Schools receive "Green Team" funding for conservation
Seattle Public Schools’ students, staff, communities, and facility operations personnel have been working hard to reduce utility use, increase recycling and model environmental stewardship. Despite the cooler winter in 2010-11, District-wide energy use decreased when compared with 2009-10. Water use and solid waste also decreased, while recycling rates increased.
Just in time for Earth Day, a portion of the savings from these reductions is being shared directly with schools through the SPS Utility Conservation Programs.
A total of $26,000 will now be shared with the 37 schools that applied for Green Team funding in March 2012. The Green Team program supports schools that encourage a culture of conservation and environmentally responsible behaviors.
Schools that applied for and received Green Team Funding include:
• High Schools: Chief Sealth International School, Franklin, Garfield, Nova, Roosevelt, and The Center School
• Middle/K-8 Schools: Aki Kurose, Denny, Catharine Blaine, Jane Addams, TOPS, Seattle World School (6-12th grade)
• Elementary: Arbor Heights, Bailey Gatzert, Bryant, Frantz H. Coe, Graham Hill, Greenwood, John Hay, John Rogers, John Stanford International School, Lafayette, Laurelhurst, Leschi, Lowell APP at Lincoln, Lowell Elementary, Maple, McDonald, Montlake, Roxhill, Sand Point, Schmitz Park, Stevens, Van Asselt, View Ridge, Viewlands
Green Team funding to supports conservation at the school level, by allowing schools to invest in promotional materials, Green Team meeting support, field trips, staff time, building equipment, Self Help projects, and/or teacher training. As part of their Green Team work, schools will be conducting an assessment of their school in one of three categories: Energy Efficiency, Recycling & Waste Reduction, or Water Quality & Conservation. Schools are also choosing to participate in Washington Green Schools, a statewide recognition program. SPS Resource Conservation Specialists have developed tools to help streamline this process and allow Green Teams to focus on making lasting changes at their school.
Starting in 2011-12, the Shared Savings Program is being expanded into a suite of three Utility Conservation Programs: Shared Savings, Green Team Support, and Conservation Champion Awards. These programs will encourage and support the work that schools are already doing to conserve energy, water, and waste. Green Team Funding is in addition to Shared Savings Awards that were distributed earlier in the year.
In celebration of Earth Month, we are now accepting nominations for the Conservation Champion Award. Twenty nominees will be chosen to receive $500 each for their school. Nominating a Conservation Champion is quick and easy! Visit our website for more information and be sure to submit nominations no later than May 18, 2012. For more information visit http://bit.ly/sps-conservation or contact Nicole Laky at (206) 252-0599 or nalaky@seattleschools.org.