GREEN Schools Project

The Alliance to Save Energy's Green Schools Program is offered free to Northern California schools, and is funded by California utility ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. The program saves schools money by reducing their energy costs - of high importance during these times of budget shortfalls. Another important benefit is enhanced student learning. When the school campus becomes a laboratory where students engage in hands-on real-world experience, science, math, and language arts come alive for them. Student learning and energy savings both improve when tackled together.

Features and Benefits of Green Schools

Savings: Schools save an average 5 – 15 % of their energy costs during the first year through behavioral changes alone, for example, turning off lights and computers when not in use. The following table identifies annual savings of three schools in Southern California, September 2000 to August 2001:

Savings benefit the district and create incentives for the school: All money saved remains with the district. The district returns a percentage of the savings—usually half—to the schools that achieve them, providing both a financial incentive and real-world feedback about the success of team efforts.

Team Approach: Green School teams are comprised of 2 to 3 teachers, a custodian, an administrator, and students. The team works together to achieve the joint goals of energy savings and learning. Planning and implementing encourages a sense of team ownership of the program.

Customization and Training: The program begins with a planning and training workshop for the Green School team to design how they will implement the program.

Integration: Teachers integrate energy and environment into the curriculum they already teach, rather than having additional demands placed upon them.
Alignment to State Standards: Curriculum for Green Schools is aligned to Science, Math and English-Language Arts Content Standards.

Access to Tools: The team gains access to a wealth of instructional materials including professional quality hands-on diagnostic tools, training for students in conducting energy audits, a menu of over 200 units of instruction.

On going support: A local project leader provides support for the team throughout the project.

For more information:

• Mildred C. Dandridge, Green Schools Coordinator, Strategic Energy Innovations
  (415) 507-2183, mildred@seiinc.org Alliance to Save Energy www.ase.org
• Paula Magyari, Climate Protection Campaign
  (707) 823-5267, paula@skymetrics.us
• Ann Hancock, Climate Protection Campaign
  (707) 829-1224, ann@skymetrics.us

Testimonials for Green Schools

The Green School program has given Tamalpais Union High School District wonderful opportunities to save energy costs, design aspects of our modernization plan, and provide students and staff with clearer understandings of how environmentally supportive programs can improve the quality of life. Principals, architects, teachers, support staff, board members, and most importantly students have been energized by the Green School program. Because of the Green School program's "real life" curriculum, it has grown rapidly within the first school to be involved—Drake High School—and now is expanding to our other schools.
—Arvo Toukonen, Superintendent, Tamalpais Union High School District

Our Richmond High School Science academy motto, "Sustainability and Personal Responsibility," has been modeled by the staff of Green Schools and the projects they present. We have been able to offer students the real projects that they need to complete their learning experience, and the teachers have been supported with the loan of tools and the curriculum ideas to make those experiences possible. The Green Schools program has graciously offered and provided the support that we have needed to work towards our goal of environmental educational that won't be forgotten after the class ends. Using what we learn in such real experiences has made this project memorable for all participants.
—Lana Husser, Science Academy Teacher, Richmond High School

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