The school has insulated windows to conserve energy.
The school entrances have double entry doors to reduce heating and cooling costs.
All rooms have photo sensors and occupancy/motion sensors that turn off lights when natural light is adequate or when rooms are not in use.
A green wall has been installed. Green walls regulate building temperature, reducing energy used for heating and air conditioning.
Sinks, toilets, and showers are properly maintained, regularly checked for leaks, and equipped with automatic sensors and low-flow devices.
Students assess the water quality of the school’s pond to create a healthy habitat for fish and other animals and plant life.
Recycling bins are located throughout the building. The school recycles newspapers, magazines, cardboard, office paper, aluminum and metal cans, plastic containers, computers, and fluorescent light bulbs.
Students help collect food waste for composting. Students help monitor recycling, composting, and trash bins to ensure all items are properly separated.
School staff makes double-sided copies and uses refillable, reusable toner cartridges. The school buys supplies such as paper, markers, and trash bags that contain recycled content.
Trees are planted around the school and in parking lots to absorb water runoff and provide shade, which helps keep a building’s cooling costs down.
Gardens are everywhere! Flower, sensory, butterfly, rain, and vegetable gardens provide diverse learning experiences for students and the community.
Trees on the school site are inventoried by Green Team members and their ecological and monetary values are calculated.
Solar panels have been installed on the roof to help power the school, reduce carbon emissions, and save money on electricity.
The school takes advantage of natural lighting through skylights, windows, and light pipes.
“No Idling Zones” have been designated in front of the school to cut down on unnecessary car exhaust that produces ground-level ozone emissions.
The school encourages staff and students to bike to school and provides bike racks. ‘Bike to school’ and ‘walk with a buddy’ days are promoted.
School gardens and the pond are used as living laboratories for instruction.
Recessed islands in parking lots and other bioretention filtration systems are located on the school grounds to remove contaminants and sedimentation and control stormwater runoff.
When possible, food is grown in the school gardens or provided by a local food source to reduce transportation impacts.
Sidewalks near the school provide a safe route for students and staff.
Energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs, CFLs, and LED lighting fixtures are used. All light bulbs are recycled when replaced.
Reusable trays, plates, and silverware are used in the cafeteria to cut down on disposables and waste.
Classrooms feature wood tables and cabinets made from local wood sources.
The school’s building structure is made of wood from certified sustainable forests. Many floors in the school are made from wood that was grown and harvested locally.
Computers and monitors are turned off when not in use.
The school maintains a cabinet for used file folders, office supplies, and binders, etc., and retains paper that has only been used on one side for others to reuse.
Compost bins are managed by Green Team members and the compost is used throughout the school gardens.
Rain barrels collect runoff water from the roof that is used to water the school gardens.