Green Schools

As a parent, are you up to speed about green schools? There are many different meanings for the term and from what I can tell they are all good. The more of these things that are going on in your child's school, the better.

They are buildings that were built with energy efficiency and sustainability in mind. Newer green schools will have a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certificate that determines how green the building really is. It is well know that green buildings are healthier places to work and play, resulting in fewer days absent and higher test scores.

The designs used in green building make the best use of natural light, have state of the art air purification systems and produce a large portion of their power use. Solar panels are use to create electricity and to heat the water.

Water and recycling are also concerns in green buildings. Water harvesting and water conservation are common place. Recycling takes place with the unused building materials, with the materials the building is constructed with and with designated areas and containers for future recycling.

Many of the ideas used in new construction can be retro-fitted into and existing structure, so green schools do not always have to be new ones. Solar can be added to just about any structure, as can water retention and harvesting areas. Gardens can be planted, recycling efforts can be furthered. Much can be done in an existing structure and it could amount to good learning experiences for the students if they are involved.

Besides a healthier learning environment green schools have another advantage over not so green schools. Using sustainable methods gives the students hands on knowledge of how all this stuff works and how it improves all of our lives.

Green schools can also be schools where alternative energy and sustainable living are taught in the class room. So many things can be done, as special projects, or as daily routines, there is no reason emphasis should not be put on these life changing practices. Class projects might include a compost heap and garden, or a recycle competition with other classes. Bring some plants into the classroom and teach what the plant is doing to improve our air quality. One really fun and educational call project is to calculate your carbon footprint. This is even something the students can take home and involve their parents.

Teachers and parents are all aware of the importance of teaching by setting the example. This is another way schools can go green, teach it by doing it. Use recycled pencils, green tissues, green cleaning products, green water based paints, rechargeable batteries and so on. Teach it by doing it. Try walking, biking or carpooling to school, the kids will notice. They will also notice if you have the first all electric car in the faculty parking lot.

One of the best ways to get green in the schools is to get others motivated and involved. One way to do that is to share what your school district is doing to promote alternative energy and sustainable living. Do you teach in a new LEED certified school? Do your kids belong to a school eco-club? Have you worked with the school board to implement a recycle program at your child's school? If anything has happened to green your local school we would love to hear about it.

Your pages go up live on this site, so others can read, and think, huh, we need to do that too. The more people become aware, the more good things will happen.

What about Green Schools in Alabama : Alaska : Arizona : Arkansas : California
Colorado : Connecticut : Delaware : Florida : Georgia : Hawaii : Idaho : Illinois
Indiana : Iowa : Kansas : Kentucky : Louisiana : Maine : Maryland : Massachusetts
Michigan : Minnesota : Mississippi : Missouri : Montana : Nebraska : New Hampshire
New Jersey : New Mexico : New York : North Carolina : Ohio : Oklahoma : Oregon
Pennsylvania : Rhode Island : South Carolina : South Dakota : Tennessee : Texas
Utah : Vermont : Virginia : Washington : West Virginia : Wisconsin : Wyoming