robin cape- nc green schools 1-23-2012

NC Green Schools

Recognition Program

Imagine that you are a school in North Carolina interested in

greening your campus.

Where do you start?Green Ribbon Schools, USGBC Green Schools, Wildlife Federation Green Schools,

Green Education Foundation, Alliance to Save Energy, EPA, Project Learning Tree Green Schools, Eco Schools, Green Schools Alliance,

Total Green School Awards, Recyclebank, NC Office of Environmental Education,NC Project Green, NC DENR,

We currently have no clear and simple path for our schools to move forward……

Other states have developed Green Schools Programs…

Washington, Wisconsin, Maryland, California, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan,

Minnesota, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Palm Beach County, San Jose, Texas, Georgia and

Oregon all have Green School Programs in place.

We are ready in North Carolina to have a program of our own!

Supporting all NC Schools to Go Green through recognition

and resources

The US DoE Green Ribbons Program is like the

Olympics of Green SchoolsOnly highest performing schools can win

awards and recognition from the Department of Education Program

The NC Green Schools Recognition Program is like

a track team in every School!

All North Carolina Schools have the opportunity to move forward in their

efforts and receive recognition for their successes and initiatives

The impetus for a NC GREEN SCHOOLS RECOGNITION

PROGRAM has come from a collaboration between:

Asheville Buncombe Sustainable Community Initiatives

(ABSCI)

Pine Jog Educational Center,

The NC Office of Environmental Education,

Evergreen Community Charter School,

The Green Schools National Network… AND ALL OF YOU!

What is the value of having our own State Program?

NC Project GreenNC Office of Environmental Assistance and Outreach

State Energy OfficeNC Environmental Education and Public Affairs

Waste Reduction PartnersUSGBC Green School Chapters

One North Carolina NaturallyNC Safe Routes to School

NC Wildlife FederationNC Division of Air Quality

Environmental Educators of NCRecycle More NC

NC Division of Pollution Prevention and EnvironmentRE3.org

Our schools have so many resources in NC but so little time to find them and understand

what they have to offer!

WE CAN CREATE A ONE STOP SHOP for teachers, students and administrators to access

NC state agencies and non profits who are there to support their efforts:

Current ConditionsNC joined the US Dept of

Education Green Ribbon ProgramNC invited to join the National

Green Schools NetworkDPI and others working on NC

Environmental Literacy planMany state resources assigned to

Greening NC Institutions

ABSCI has allocated funding to jumpstart and

support a NC Green Schools Program

What is a Green School?

*Saves energy *Reduces costs*Features environmentally

sustainable learning spaces *Protects health *Fosters wellness *Offers environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement

A Green School

From U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools

Recognizes North Carolina K-12 public and private schools that encourage cultures of sustainability in 5 designated areas.NC Green Schools

Recognition Program

From U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools

The NC Green Schools Rubric

An easy to follow guideline for earning recognition for the work done at your

school

Six Categories

•School Ground Enhancements•School Sustainability•Curriculum Integration

•Community Involvement•Administrative Support

•Innovation

Creating school grounds that enhance their use as learning environments AND add to the ecological integrity of their community

School Ground Enhancements

Rain gardens at Evergreen Community Charter School Asheville North Carolina

1

School Ground

Enhancements

12 Possible Points

•Outdoor Learning and or Lab Structures•Habitat Improvement

•Restoration Areas on School Grounds or in surrounding community

Conserving energy and water and the reduction of solid waste through the life cycle of school materials,

School Sustainability

Solar Array at Owen Middle School In Swannanoa North Carolina

2


24 Possible Points

•Energy Conservation•Water Conservation

•Recycling and Solid Waste•Green Purchasing Guidelines

•Carpool. Bikes and Bus Enhancements

Integrating curriculum that helps students experience and understand the natural environment and their place in it

Curriculum Integration

Outdoor exploration at Hall Fletcher Elementary in Asheville NC

3


20 Possible Points

•Interdisciplinary Approaches•Environmental Education

•Field Studies

Building partnerships with the community to foster mutually valuable stewardship opportunities.

Community Involvement

Building a Butterfly Garden at the School of Inquiry and Life Science, Asheville NC

4


16 Possible Points

•Partnerships within the School Building•Service Learning

•Community Involvement in School Sustainability Activities

Creating a school philosophy and culture that embraces sustainability, encourages ongoing professional development and sparks the creativity and engagement of all its members.

Administrative Support

The Principle at Jones Elementary in Asheville NC leads the way!

5


20 Possible Points

•School Philosophy and Culture•Energy and Sustainability Policies

•Professional Development•Planning

•Sharing Success and Lessons Learned

Innovations will be open-ended and will allow schools to document what new initiatives the school is trying to go above and beyond in becoming a Green School.

Innovation

6

Innovation

8 Possible Points

•Innovations will be open-ended and will allow schools to document what new

initiatives the school is trying to go above and beyond in becoming a Green School

What’s in it for the Schools?

•Top green schools will receive cash awards•Green School flag for Green Schools of Excellence•Certificates of Recognition for all schools that place

•Media Recognition and Press Releases•Green Seed Money for School Projects

What are the levels of Green School

Recognition Awards?School Of Promise

A school that has scored 40-59 points and is taking the beginning steps to improve sustainability.


Recognition Awards?School Of Quality

A school that has scored 60-79 points and is taking active strides in improving and maintaining sustainable practice.


Recognition Awards?School Of Excellence

A school that has scored 80-100 points and shows the highest level of commitment to sustainability..

How are applications submitted?

A narrative responding to the Green Rubric is submitted by school member

Applications due March 9, 2012

How are applications graded and scored?

A team of volunteer judges reviews the submissions and scores them.

Each school is reviewed by more than one judge and the average of all scores are compiled

School will be notified of scores by April 6, 2012

How does the NC Green Schools

Recognition Program line up

with the US Department of

Education Green Ribbons Program?

The major components of the application include:

*A cover sheet completed and signed by the principal, SAC chair, and two lead teachers

*A narrative summary of your schools green activities.

*Documentation of all required criteria for recognition.

Application are due March 9, 2012

NC Green Schools Recognition Program

Dept of Education Green Ribbon Pillars

School Ground Enhancements





DOE Green Ribbon Schools Pillars

Environmental Impact & Energy

Efficiency

Environmental and Sustainability

EducationHealthy School Environment

ProposalCreate a Steering committee

and 5 subcommittees consisting of state-wide participants to

refine and champion program 1) Content and Framework of Program

2) Outreach to Schools and Partners3) Sponsorship and Volunteer Recruitment

4)Tools, website, resources5) Evaluations and Awards

For More Information Contact:Robin Cape

ABSCI projects: Reading Riding and Retrofit

828-505-1831(o)828-216-4009 (c)

[email protected] Westwood Road

Asheville, North Carolina 28804

mailto:[email protected]