The pressure is on for schools to create healthy environments for kids to learn in and to integrate environmental studies into their curriculum. We know that allergens, chemical contaminants, mold and inadequate ventilation contribute to asthma, and that asthma attacks are currently the leading cause of missed school days each year in America. We know that better air quality, more daylight, healthier meals and more time spent outdoors also boost children’s academic performance and that schools which model environmental stewardship help better prepare children to preserve and protect the natural world.

In schools that have adapted an Eco-Friendly Vision, the students have played a key role in developing and maintaining green habits. The following plan developed by the Eco-Schools International program involves seven steps that any school can adopt:

1. Establish a Green Team or Eco-Committee

The Green Team—made up of students, teachers, janitors, facilities managers, parents and school board members—is the core of the Green School process. Whatever the type of school or age group, student involvement in the committee is essential. This group coordinates many of the greening activities, makes recommendations to school decision-makers, facilitates communication among different parts of the school community, and helps everyone take action toward achieving the school vision.

2. Adopt an Environmental Vision Statement or Planet Pledge

Each school produces its own Environmental Vision Statement. Also known as a Planet Pledge or Eco Code, this statement captures the beliefs and intents of the students and other school community members, often in the students’ own words, and it can be an inspiring classroom, art, or school-wide assembly project. Such statements can also be accompanied by a resolution from the school board, Parent Teacher Association, the Green Team, or other school bodies.
To view Planet Pledge posters by kids from all over the world participating in Eco-Schools International’s poster contest, visit: www.eco-schools.org/projects/ecocode/ec2004c.htm.

3. Conduct A School Environmental Survey or Audit

Start by reviewing the environmental impact of the school. Students should be involved in this work, from assessing the level of waste generated at lunch time to checking the building for inefficiencies such as leaky taps or electric equipment left on overnight. The school and the Examples of environmental surveys and audit tools can be found at www.greenschools.net. These audits can be fun, as students play eco-detectives, and they really help raise awareness about the health and environmental impact of the school.

4. Create A Green School Action Plan

The environmental survey or audit lets the school identify key areas that need improvement, and create an action plan for making changes. Set realistic and achievable short-term targets, so both kids and adults can take pride in tangible accomplishments. It is also important to set more challenging long-term goals, to inspire students and to foster greater environmental improvements. The action plan could involve projects like creating a school recycling program, switching to eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning materials, increasing carpooling, or establishing a school garden. A school might also offer to serve as the neighborhood recycling point, for example, or get involved with clean-up or habitat restoration at nearby parks or waterways.

5. Monitor and Evaluate Progress

The Green Team, students, or other school community members can assist with monitoring and evaluating progress toward the goals laid out in the Action Plan. Monitoring ensures that progress toward the goals and targets is made and that the action plan is modified, if necessary. It also ensures that environmental education is an on-going process in the school, since students can be responsible for the annual audits. The basic data collected over time can show the waste and pollution avoided, as well as financial costs vs. savings—big motivators for people to continue their efforts.

6. Integrate Greening into the Curriculum

Green lessons can be integrated into existing curriculum in science, art, humanities, math, language arts, or electives. Using the school as a hands-on laboratory offers opportunities for real-world problem-solving. Students can study topics such as energy, water, forest ecology, pollution, waste and decomposition. Outdoor education and time spent in nature—whether in the schoolyard, at a park, or on a field trip—is a critical component. Where environmental education is not part of the regular curriculum, the Green Team can recommend ways to incorporate these themes.

7. Inform, Involve, and Celebrate!

Greening programs often unify the whole school and strengthen community relations. Schools that partner with external organizations in the community benefit from their experience and expertise. In some schools, environmental consultants have agreed to participate in the environmental review process. Local government agencies and utility companies often offer free advice on energy conservation, recycling, and hazardous waste management. A communication and publicity program, including classroom displays, school assemblies, newsletters, website postings and press coverage, keeps everyone informed of progress and invited community support for schools’ efforts. Annual Earth Day celebrations—organized around April 20—can offer yet another opportunity to showcase the school’s actions and connect students and staff with the wider community.

Adapted from Eco-Schools International’s Green Tips: www.eco-schools.org. You can also find helpful info at www.greenschools.net.

How Green is Your Child’s School?
If your school has a Green Action Plan or specific green projects you’ve undertaken, e-mail us at info@sacramentoparent.com. We would love to share your success stories and inspire others looking to make their schools greener.