The Vision: Green Schools within a Generation
Story by Lindsey Piant, LEED AP

Schools across the metro area are going green, with a little help from our chapter Green Schools Advocacy Committee. Since its formation in December 2007, the committee has held a number of roundtable discussions with representatives from schools districts metro-wide. The committee serves as a sustainable resource to school decision makers, the media, architects-engineers and local community groups in both Missouri and Kansas. 

The Committee’s mission is part of a larger national vision, “Green Schools within a Generation” for the more than 20% of America’s population that spends at least six hours a day in a school building.

According to a study by Capital E, green school buildings:

Save at least 30 percent in terms of energy;

Reduce carbon emission by 35 percent;

Reduce water use by 30-50 percent; and,

Save up to 90 percent of costs for waste.

Regional LEED School Project Profiles

Green schools make a significant contribution in improving the health and well-being of Kansas City’s students and the faculty and administrators who guide them.


The Green Schools Advocacy recently held a 2010 Visioning session to outline all the events and programs the committee will undertake in the coming year. Activities include, 1). spearheading an Environmental Curriculum Coalition with other partners in the region; 2) adopting two schools, one private school in Missouri and one public school in Kansas and 3) working with legislators from both Kansas and Missouri to help form a Green Schools caucus and eventually get green building legislation supporting green schools passed.

Green Schools Advocacy Committee Vision:
Green Schools for all children within a generation.

Green Schools Advocacy Committee Mission:
Be an advocate and a resource to schools and other groups interested in learning what about green schools and what they can do to move their school(s) in a more sustainable direction.

Green Schools Advocacy Committee Aim:
•    Advocate to state legislators, school administrators, faculty, school board members and facility directors on the benefits of green schools
•    Facilitate USGBC Central Plains Chapter Green Schools Teams in developing comprehensive sustainability strategies, including extracurricular and family based programs.
•    Assist in promoting and developing green curriculum in schools.
•    Work in the community at large to build awareness about the benefits of green schools.
•    Collaborate and network with other like minded organizations throughout our region.

Expect to also see your green school advocates lobbying at upcoming statewide school board conferences or at the capitol. When advocates are not at school conferences, expect them to be available to help educate local school boards or PTA groups, just like forming our two adopted schools.


Want to help?
The Green Schools Advocacy Committee is actively seeking additional volunteers to help make all our 2010 initiatives a success. 

The Green Schools Advocacy Committee meets at 4:00pm on the 2nd Thursday of every month at various school locations in the area.
Next Meeting(s):

- August 12   4:30pm @ Charlie Hooper's in Brookside

To join the committee or for more information, please contact committee co-chairs This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Can we help you?

USGBC Central Plains Chapter Green Schools Advocacy Committee is eager to share our expertise in green schools initiatives, lending our national organization's plentiful resources in energy efficiency in design and operations of school facilities, strategies, curricular and extracurricular development, etc.  We provide presentations to any group:  faculty, school boards, students of all ages, parent groups, etc.  Please contact committee co-chairs This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for assistance in moving your school forward to a sustainable future.

The presentation was wonderful!  Robert showed us a powerpoint with examples of LEED construction.  The students asked many questions. 

Nicole visited with the students and shared ideas with them.  Having professionals from the field speak to students helps them see the practical value of what they are learning.

Thank you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Ginny

More info on Green Schools here.