Twelve Steps to a Sustainable Middle School

Twelve Steps to a Sustainable Middle School

Windham Middle School ACE Action Team

What do the words Sustainable and

Sustainability mean?

Being able to meet the needs of the present without

compromising the ability of the future to meet their own

needs

1. Teaching

Through education and training, we can prepare you and other students for a lifetime of sustainable living.Teaching:

-Peers-Faculty-Community-Elementary schools

2. Purchasing and Administrative Services

School systems are large-scale consumers and can use their buying power to encourage demand for environmentally responsible products.-Recycled paper-Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

School systems generate large amounts of solid waste, which is often disposed of in costly and environmentally irresponsible ways. By implementing a comprehensive recycling and waste reduction programs, schools can minimize their waste stream. -Recycling Education/Awareness: What belongs in recycling and what doesn’t?

3. Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling

4. Energy Conservation

Energy budgets are a large part of the operation costs of many school systems. Many new technologies can allow schools to reduce and manage these costs.-Solar Panels

5. Energy Purchasing

School systems are large-scale electric consumers and can minimize their environmental impact by using power saving technologies and using renewable energy sources.-Purchasing energy from Solar/Wind/Geothermal sources

6. Water and Waste Water

School systems consume large amounts of water on a daily basis. By adopting “green” practices, schools can reduce their intake of water and outflow of pollutants.

-What ways can WMS reduce their intake of water?

7. Hazardous Materials

School systems use and produce many toxic substances. Schools are obligated by governmental regulations to dispose of and handle these substances properly. By using environmentally friendly products, schools can reduce costs and limit environmental impact on and off campus.-What are some toxic and hazardous materials used at WMS?-What materials could be used to replace these?

8. TransportationNew technologies give school systems many options for their transportation needs. They can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by implementing “no idling” programs and by buying “green” vehicles when buying new vehicles. -Is there a “no idling” rule at WMS?

9. Food and Food Services

School students consume large quantities of food in cafeterias. Schools should use healthy environmental practices when developing their food service plans.-Does all wasted food go into composting?-Are there any rules in regard to lunches? Do you have to take certain foods?

10. Campus Grounds and Land Use

Many school systems have campuses that cover many acres and ecosystems. The concept of sustainable development should be included in campus designs to preserve and enhance these diverse ecosystems.-Garden: What's grown in it?

11. New ConstructionMany school systems are frequently improving and expanding their buildings. They can save money and diminish their environmental impact by using new energy efficiency and waste management technologies during these improvements.

12. Campus Planning and Design

School systems need to develop long-term plans that use sustainable principles. By doing this they can save money and reduce environmental impact.

Next Steps....

What can we do now?

*Team Name*ACE Ambassador:

• An ACE Ambassador is somebody elected by the Action Team that is responsible for communicating with ACE about our team's progress.

• The ACE ambassador will fill out project completion forms (http://acespace.org/act-now/toolkit/credit/projectcompletion)

• The ACE ambassador will be responsible for keeping ACE up-to-date on what the team is doing and will be the first to know about ACE's action team opportunities, contests, etc.

• Who should be OUR ACE ambassador?(http://acespace.org/act-now/action-teams/start-an-action-team)

* Recycling-Interview Janitors-Create posters/signs for each room: What goes in and what

doesn’t* Teaching: Raise Awareness at home and among friends:

-DOT: Do One Thing