Louisiana Green Schools Brian Gautreau Green Schools Coordinator Louisiana Environmental Education Commission

So What’s a Green School Anyway?

 Successfully addresses sustainability issues  A green school is a healthy environment conducive to interdisciplinary learning while saving energy, resources and money.

So What’s a Green School Anyway? The Three Pillars of a Green School I. Reduce environmental impacts and costs II. Improve support of health and wellness III. Provide effective environmental and sustainability education

I. Reduce environmental impact and costs A. Reduced or eliminated greenhouse gas emissions, using an energy audit or emissions inventory and reduction plan, cost- effective energy efficiency improvements, conservation measures, and/or on-site renewable energy and/or purchase of green power; B. Improved water quality, efficiency, and conservation; C. Reduced solid and hazardous waste production through increased recycling and composting, reduced consumption, and improved management, reduction, or elimination of hazardous waste; and D. Expanded use of alternative transportation, through active promotion of locally-available, energy-efficient options and implementation of alternative transportation supportive projects and policies.

II. Improve Health and Wellness A. High standards of coordinated school health, including health, nutrition, and outdoor physical education; health, counseling, and psychological services for both students and staff; family community involvement; and B. An integrated school environmental health program that considers occupant health and safety in all design, construction, renovation, operations, and maintenance of facilities and grounds.

III. Provide effective environmental and sustainability education A. Interdisciplinary learning about the key relationships between dynamic environmental, energy, and human systems; B. Use of the environment and sustainability to develop STEM content knowledge and thinking skills to prepare graduates for the 21st century technology-driven economy; and C. Development of civic engagement knowledge and skills and students’ application of such knowledge and skills to address sustainability issues in their community.

Examples of Green Schools Westdale Heights Academic MagnetBaton Rouge Magnet High School Outdoor classroom Citizen science programs Energy efficient renovations Coordinated efforts for student health and wellness

Examples of Green Schools Hammond Jr. High Magnet SchoolBen Franklin High School School gardens Green School Challenge Strong environmental club Networking with mentors Gradual retrofits

Examples of Green Schools St. Tammany SchoolsOil City Magnet School Energy Management Program Over $7 million in savings between Environmental education taught across curricula Strong extracurricular support

Support for Green Schools

Louisiana Green Schools Program  2015 – MOU written between the LEEC and LDOE.  Procedures put in place to nominate Louisiana Schools for the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School Award (ED-GRS)

Louisiana Green Schools Program  Professional Development  Mentoring  Activities and infrastructures  Application process for ED-GRS  Troubleshooting  Nomination for the ED-GRS Award

Louisiana Green Schools Program  Financial support with Green School Grants  Up to $5000  Must support one or more of the Three Pillars  Linkage with partners  Clearinghouse for info on other programs  External grant opportunities

Mini Break-out Session Activity Evaluations  In your group, read the activity descriptions and identify which Pillars and Elements they address.  Identify what your are doing, or what you could do.  Identify barriers to success and needs  List any known resources or opportunities  Identify scale on which activity can occur (classroom, club, school)

I. Reduce environmental impacts and costs A. Reduced or eliminated greenhouse gas emissions, using an energy audit or emissions inventory and reduction plan, cost-effective energy efficiency improvements, conservation measures, and/or on-site renewable energy and/or purchase of green power; B. Improved water quality, efficiency, and conservation; C. Reduced solid and hazardous waste production through increased recycling and composting, reduced consumption, and improved management, reduction, or elimination of hazardous waste; and D. Expanded use of alternative transportation, through active promotion of locally-available, energy-efficient options and implementation of alternative transportation supportive projects and policies. II. Improve support of health and wellness A. High standards of coordinated school health, including health, nutrition, and outdoor physical education; health, counseling, and psychological services for both students and staff; family community involvement; and B. An integrated school environmental health program that considers occupant health and safety in all design, construction, renovation, operations, and maintenance of facilities and grounds. III. Provide effective environmental and sustainability education A. Interdisciplinary learning about the key relationships between dynamic environmental, energy, and human systems; B. Use of the environment and sustainability to develop STEM content knowledge and thinking skills to prepare graduates for the 21st century technology-driven economy; and C. Development of civic engagement knowledge and skills and students’ application of such knowledge and skills to address sustainability issues in their community.

Mini Break-out Session Energy Audit  In groups, review GLEs and NGSS addressed  Download carbon calculator spreadsheet  Begin Audit  Create changes in carbon calculator spreadsheet that reflect actions you may take in your school/classroom

Mini Break-out Session Benchmarking  You can’t manage what you don’t measure!