It has been reported that approximately one in five Americans spend their days in K–12 schools. This number includes our children, teachers, and a vast array of support and leadership staff. Our schools are centers for learning but are also places that impact on our environment. In this issue of the Electronic School eZine we will focus on what is possible when districts “Go Green”.
There are many other aspects beyond technology that should be considered when districts decide to go green. For this issue we will focus on the infrastructure changes needed to make our schools better environmental community partners. You will hear from one of the Technology Leadership Network site districts that has truly made the transition and learned there is a way to reduce its consumption, reduce pollution, reduce the amount of toxic materials, and raise the consciousness of their students and staff.
Many fear that going green means increased costs and given these difficult financial times that is a real challenge. Included in this issue we have provided links and resources that explain some of the real costs and the long term benefits that you can realize. We have even provided a link to help you get a handle on financing these efforts.
We would like to hear about your green efforts. Please contact me and let me know about your districts initiatives. gbroderson@nsba.org I hope you enjoy this issue of the Electronic School eZine.
Gene Broderson
Director, National Affiliate Services and Technology Programs
Additional Resources
In this Issue: Going Green - Electronic School January 2009
by Gene Broderson, Director of National Affiliate Services and Technology Programs
Forging New Traditions: North Kansas City Schools
by Janet Herdman, Executive Director, I.T. Services, North Kansas City School District, Kansas City (MO).
Unique. State of the art. Cutting-edge. These are just a few of the words used to describe technology programs and school facilities at North Kansas City Schools (MO). This district is widely heralded for its accomplishments in student achievement, computer technology, and cutting-edge instruction. The district serves nearly 18,000 students in suburban Kansas City-North, a community rich with diversity and a proud history of educational excellence. North Kansas City Schools is where learners come to achieve excellence, embrace change, and forge new traditions.
District Snapshots: What Makes 2009 TLN Site Visits Special (Recorded Webinar)
Get an insider’s look at the innovations to be showcased during the three NSBA Technology Leadership Network site visits. Every district struggles with providing effective professional development, building “future-proof” facilities, and bridging the home-school connection through better communication and 24x7 access to resources. During this one hour webinar, you will get a snapshot of each district’s most innovative approaches, then, join in the lively dialogue as they compare and contrast the various approaches they have used with your own solutions. The North Kansas City Site Visit has been successfully completed, but there are two more exciting visits left. Don’t miss this engaging hour with Janet Herdman, Executive Director, Information and Technology Services, North Kansas City Schools (MO); Kathy Rains, Director of Technology, Madison City Schools (AL); and Dr. Sheryl Abshire, CTO, Calcasieu Parish Public Schools (LA).
Showcasing Technology Innovation: 2009 Site Visits
Join us to see innovative strategies in action, as these school districts highlight effective technology solutions. You’ll have a chance to tour schools, ask questions, and see first-hand the energy and enthusiasm these new practices bring to the classroom. You’ll return with new ideas and a fresh perspective on how technology can help transform your district!
Using Buildings to Teach Green Concepts
School leaders are using their buildings to provide students with lessons about sustainability. In the October 2008 issue of American School Board Journal, architect Daniel Woodside writes in “Green Schools Teach Green Lessons” about how districts are using their green buildings to teach students about ecology, conservation, and sustainability.
Numerous sustainable technologies are being used in schools, ranging from geothermal, ice storage, and heat recovery systems to photovoltaics and daylighting. Each has the potential to be incorporated into school curricula. Woodside offers tips on how to include this technology in way that students can observe it at work and collect data from it for class discussion.
ASBJ subscribers and National Affiliates have access to the article online. All others may download it for a fee.
Look for ASBJ’s article on green computing in April.
DOE’s EnergySmart Schools Program Helps Schools Save Green!
By Margo Appel, EnergySmart Schools Program Manager, U.S. Department of Energy.
From the traditional architectural design of Whitman-Hansen Regional High School in Whitman, Mass., few people might guess that it has many green building features that will mean significant energy savings over the life of the building and will provide a cleaner and healthier environment for students.
Financing EnergySmart Schools
By Margo Appel, EnergySmart Schools Program Manager, U.S. Department of Energy.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s EnergySmart Schools program recently released its new Guide to Financing EnergySmart Schools. Written for school administrators, board members and business officials, the Guide addresses perceived and real financial barriers associated with construction of new high-performance schools as well as energy efficiency renovations and retrofits of existing facilities.
Green Fingerprints-Leaving Our Mark on the Planet
"It’s no secret that our planet is in trouble, where terms such as polar ice caps, global warming, carbon footprint, pollution and sustainability are commonplace." The Center for Digital Education recently released and presented this whitepaper at NSBA's T+L Conference this past October. The paper discusses steps to integrating sustainability into education and focuses on how to groom the children of today into leaders of tomorrow that will work toward reversing environmental damage and sustaining a healthier future. Many technology developments already happening in education are conducive to facilitating sustainability, like simulated learning and digital textbooks. Some colleges and universities are also preparing for a shift toward sustainability in the workforce by offering green degrees.
Operation: Infinite Potential
An Inconvenient Truth opened the door for a long overdue national conversation and call to arms for the state of our environment and the carbon footprint being left behind. The financial crisis in this country currently exacerbates the environmental awareness for Americans. If individuals can save money by being more “green” and lower their electrical, water, and gas bills by making their homes more efficient or take fewer trips in hybrid cars, they are taking every step to make that happen. So it isn’t any surprise that environmental education and awareness is common place today in the classrooms nationwide. Curriculum on water and land conversation, energy efficiency, and reducing carbon footprints has become a staple in science curriculum as educators and administrators move 21st century education forward.
Where the Wind Blows
More than 80 schools across the country have installed wind turbines, and now the Wind for Schools program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Powering America program, is working to bring smaller turbines to several states, including Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska and South Dakota.
More than just a building
Lower utilities that relieve schools of high energy bills and the opportunity to instill in students a responsibility for the environment are both reasons districts are attracted to greener schools. But today, a Newsweek article had BoardBuzz questioning where this leaves districts that don’t have the funds to build new sustainable schools.
Sustainable green schools are an expensive investment, and many elementary schools around the country are putting thousands of dollars into constructing these new facilities for environmental learning. But as Newsweek reminds us, environmental learning isn’t just about having the faciliities or simply teaching students to save the environment.
Special Technology Sessions Planned for NSBA’s Annual Conference, April 4-7, 2009
Experience the latest technology in action and learn how it can help your district by attending the special technology sessions planned for NSBA’s annual conference. Space is limited for all technology events, so register early.
TLN eZine Editorial Credits