Green Schools In Ohio
Are you working to green a school in Ohio? We would love to hear what
you are doing so maybe we can involve others to join in. Green schools are
being built or created all over Ohio. By created I mean an existing
structure with a green curriculum. Hopefully you are a part of one.
The first K-12 school in Ohio to receive a LEED silver certification is Pleasant Ridge Montessori. There is a lot that goes into a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design award but the things that seem to make the most difference to our children are the use of natural light and clean air.
The city and the state have both been very impressed by this school. Cincinnati Public Schools has adopted the sustainable design standards set by this school and will apply them to all future projects. The state of Ohio is equally impressed and has also adopted these standards. It is now required that every new public school in Ohio, built with state funds, must be LEED silver or better.
The Pleasant Ridge school features a white reflective roof, a high efficiency HVAC system, low flow toilets, a raised flooring system and convex blinds in the windows to help spread the light.
Building material and site waste are also important aspects for LEED qualifying. Buildings materials should be green products whenever possible. They should be made from recycled material and purchased locally if possible. The carbon footprint of all products used in the project are closely looked at. The construction site waste is considered also, the more that can be recycled the better.
Green schools serve as a teaching tool to teach sustainable living and energy conservation to our children. These lessons are important, making it important to learn from these schools and incorporate as much as possible into your existing, not so green, schools. All kids need to learn these lessons, not just the ones going to green schools.
Are you making a difference turning your school green? Let us know what you are doing so others can join in or do the same at their school. We can all help make the schools green in Ohio.
Tell us about your green school.
A green school, club or activity you are proud of.
