Greening Our Schools, Part II

What is “greening” our schools? Some have used the term in referring to school building, and others use the term for bringing sustainable programs into the school. Parents are also an integral part of greening a school. While these topics have an enormous amount of information pertaining to each subject, which deserve more in-depth discussion, I will highlight a few important aspects in two parts. Part I will talk about greening school buildings, and Part II will address green programs and parent participation. I will also offer resources for you to delve further into the idea of green schools.

Part I was about greening schools via green buildings;
Part II addresses greening schools via green programs;
Part III will present the green programs schools have been plunging into; and
Part IV will be a primer for parent participation.

For the purposes of this post, I am defining “green”, “eco-friendly”, “sustainable”, or “environmentally sensitive” as something that reduces the ecological footprint of schools.

GREEN SCHOOLS – PROGRAM BASED

Another way people are talking about greening up their schools is by incorporating eco-friendly practices, or green programs. Whether it’s to stop toxic chemicals from being used on campus, or to change the lunchroom standards and meals of a school, there are many green programs that schools can engage in, which will be further detailed in Part III.

There are many local and national organizations that have been established to help schools become greener. They educate about everything from the initial idea to implementing, maintaining, and ensuring that the programs are successful. They provide plans, conduct research, and offer resources to help schools become green. Most also have recognition programs and certifications.

However, not all schools are able to utilize the designed programs. Maybe it’s because the school is not aware of the programs, or the whole administration is not yet on board with the green idea, or they find the process to be a burden?

Unfortunately, our current economy adds to our schools’ struggle, precluding schools and administration from improving their environmental footprint. Limited funds and faculty cuts defer programs such as purchasing recycled products, making greener choices (i.e. replacing Styrofoam in cafeterias), obtaining recycling bins, developing a school-wide composting program, etc. Teachers are already under pressure to meet state demands on the accomplishments of their students with core curriculum, they do not have time to create new curricula to include the environmental programs.

Schools need to take advantage of the resources available to them. They are an integral part of the community and should reach out to involve their neighbors. Resources are easily available, such as toolkits, guidelines, research, models, grants, and plenty of ideas. Even volunteers are available and eager to help schools. Some community groups, such as Master Gardeners, have a school program:

The Master Gardener Association of San Diego County School Garden Committee encourages and assists teachers in starting and maintaining gardens at their respective schools. Today, our membership has over 60 Master Gardeners who will act as school consultants in their geographic residential areas. These MGs work with teachers and parents to advise and assist children with their garden projects.

It’s never too late to start bringing green into your school. Even if your school has not turned green yet, individual initiative to create small class-sized projects can trigger a domino effect, and you may soon be joined by others to create a school-wide program.

HOW DO I GREEN OUR SCHOOL?

What does it take to get a green program into your school? At least one person to kindle the fire for change! With others, knowledge, and resources, any school can become green.

GET YOUR SIDEKICK
Whether it’s the superintendent of the school district or the principal of the school, you’ll want someone who knows what you are doing to back you up. Also, you’ll have a better understanding of what your limits will be. For example, if the principal of the school does not support your school-wide lunchroom composting plan, you may have to start an individual worm composting bin in a classroom and have a teacher sponsor your project in their class.

GATHER A TEAM
In order for the green programs to be successful, there must be a group of volunteers committed to the program, or a “green committee”. This group consists of any or all of the following: administrative staff, teachers, students, parents, and other community volunteers. A committee is necessary in order to organize and direct the green programs of the school, and to take responsibility for the program. The team will also be the one to be trained first and then provide training and education during the program.It’s important to include students on the team. The opportunity for leadership and first hand understanding of the green program will be highly beneficial. They will also be the ones to inform others and lead by example to their peers.

AUDIT & PLAN
Create a list of changes you want to see at the school by evaluating what is lacking or what needs improvement. Review the status of your school. Find out how much waste is being produced; find out what chemicals are being used on-site; observe the whole campus to see if more green space is needed; check out the lunchroom and find out what kind of food is served and where it’s coming form; find out what products are being used or purchased; check on recycling practices.Then, create a realistic plan based on what you’ve discovered. For example, if you you think that there’s too much waste in the lunchrooms, start a waste audit to quantify how much waste is actually recyclable or could be composted, etc. Then, figure out if implementing a composting program is realistic or if simply putting recycle bins into the lunch room is more feasible.

REVIEW YOUR PROGRESS CONTINUALLY
Your plan should include specific goals and a way to measure each goal. Reviewing during the progress also allows for confronting issues that may arise, to modify or add to plans as necessary, and ensuring the efficiency or success of a program.Having quantitative ways to review a successful program will boost your campaign for introducing more green programs to your school.

OTHER ACTIONS
• Create visual lessons or instructions for your program. With the lunchroom composting example, creating unique bin lids (either by color or by shape) for waste, recycling, and composting help visually guide students in using the correct bin.
• Incorporate green curricula. Green programs have many outdoor activities, hands-on and practical lessons that can be integrated into just about any subject, like science, math, history, art, etc. Realizing that there are state requirements which can be restrictive, there are many resources that provide state-approved curricula that are grade specific.
• Let others know & reach out. Let your community know that you are a green school. Get the recognition you deserve by certifying with green organizations. Create ways to also educate others or other schools about what your school is doing and how they can achieve the same.Greening our schools involves the community. As green stewards, encouraging and teaching our community to reduce their own ecological footprint helps all of us!

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For more information and resources, see my Resources for Schools page.