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HOW WE CAME TO BE DESIGNATED A GREEN RIBBON SCHOOL
We Reduced Our Environmental Impact and Costs
Renovation Project - Replaced and insulated the roof, changed to efficient Lighting, shifted to a new and efficient Heating and Air Conditioning system, made our doors more energy efficient, added a vestibule to our front entrance to reduce heat loss, added heat saving window shades throughout the entire school building
Water Cooled Refrigeration Project - With student involvement we eliminated water use for cooling purposes and now save over 1 million gallons of water/year. We also added timed faucets and automated toilets throughout the building.
Facility Evaluation from 2008-2009. The evaluation led to a range of energy use improvements, among them a change out of our hot water heating system that made a massive improvement in efficient energy use
Bussing - we analyzed our busing needs and routes to minimize bus use.
Carpooling - we added carpool parking spaces to encourage more efficient travel
Partnered with the City - to improve sidewalks and road crossings making it safer for kids to walk/bike to school
We Took Steps to Improve Health and Wellness
VEHI - We achieved 98% involvement from staff in the staff wellness program
Athletic Program expanded to 5-8 (17 teams up from 10)
Expanded our athletic fields and added new backstops, benches
Replaced playground with a safer set of equipment, added a paved outdoor basketball court
Increased after school programming and athletic activities
Added a 4:30 PM after school programming bus home to encourage athletics and after school participation .
Walking field trips and lunch walks encouraged
Added 17 walk and bicycle to school days yearly to demonstrate the viability of that transportation option
School-Generated Exercise Videos that can be done in class.
Added Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Snack Program
Promoted whole grains before federal requirements
Added filtered water filling stations and provided water bottles to everyone at school
We have no vending machines
Green Chemicals are used for cleaning
Established and equipped an on-site fitness room
Each year the school offers a 22 mile 6th-Grade rail trail bicycle trip
4-6th grade students learn to ski on yearly field trips to Jay Peak
We Offer(ed) Effective Environmental and Sustainability Education
Water Cooled Refrigeration Project (student driven)
Composting Projects (student and staff driven)
We have reduced landfill waste, for example by becoming a straw-free school
We participate in green-up days
We participated in the Efficiency Vermont - Whole School Energy Challenge and still follow efficiency practices
We engaged in various paper reducing projects. Since all students have easy access to computers the need for paper in our classrooms has been reduced
Unique and Innovative Practices
We have made student stewardship a priority in every learning community
We engage students in projects that are authentic and that strive to make a difference in their world (school)
School-wide focus on Project-Based-Learning
Lunch is a celebration - we make it fun by adding competitions and talent shows
We provide universal (free) breakfasts, lunches and snacks to minimize issue of hunger in our school
Partnerships
The Abbey Food Service
Composting at Hudaks -via the NW Solid Waste District
Efficiency Vermont
Department of Health
Local Farms and Department of Agriculture (Farm to School Programming)
Additional Points of Interest
Students helped us conduct radon testing (we learned we have no radon problem)
Our school water systems were tested for lead (all clear)
We conducted an Envision Program Audit
Analysis showed that we have an Energy Star Rating that places us in the 89th percentile among similar public schools
We organized a coordinated school health team which evaluated our health policies and actions
We established a Facility Operating Plan
Renovation Project - Replaced and insulated the roof, changed to efficient Lighting, shifted to a new and efficient Heating and Air Conditioning system, made our doors more energy efficient, added a vestibule to our front entrance to reduce heat loss, added heat saving window shades throughout the entire school building
Water Cooled Refrigeration Project - With student involvement we eliminated water use for cooling purposes and now save over 1 million gallons of water/year. We also added timed faucets and automated toilets throughout the building.
Facility Evaluation from 2008-2009. The evaluation led to a range of energy use improvements, among them a change out of our hot water heating system that made a massive improvement in efficient energy use
Bussing - we analyzed our busing needs and routes to minimize bus use.
Carpooling - we added carpool parking spaces to encourage more efficient travel
Partnered with the City - to improve sidewalks and road crossings making it safer for kids to walk/bike to school
We Took Steps to Improve Health and Wellness
VEHI - We achieved 98% involvement from staff in the staff wellness program
Athletic Program expanded to 5-8 (17 teams up from 10)
Expanded our athletic fields and added new backstops, benches
Replaced playground with a safer set of equipment, added a paved outdoor basketball court
Increased after school programming and athletic activities
Added a 4:30 PM after school programming bus home to encourage athletics and after school participation .
Walking field trips and lunch walks encouraged
Added 17 walk and bicycle to school days yearly to demonstrate the viability of that transportation option
School-Generated Exercise Videos that can be done in class.
Added Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Snack Program
Promoted whole grains before federal requirements
Added filtered water filling stations and provided water bottles to everyone at school
We have no vending machines
Green Chemicals are used for cleaning
Established and equipped an on-site fitness room
Each year the school offers a 22 mile 6th-Grade rail trail bicycle trip
4-6th grade students learn to ski on yearly field trips to Jay Peak
We Offer(ed) Effective Environmental and Sustainability Education
Water Cooled Refrigeration Project (student driven)
Composting Projects (student and staff driven)
We have reduced landfill waste, for example by becoming a straw-free school
We participate in green-up days
We participated in the Efficiency Vermont - Whole School Energy Challenge and still follow efficiency practices
We engaged in various paper reducing projects. Since all students have easy access to computers the need for paper in our classrooms has been reduced
Unique and Innovative Practices
We have made student stewardship a priority in every learning community
We engage students in projects that are authentic and that strive to make a difference in their world (school)
School-wide focus on Project-Based-Learning
Lunch is a celebration - we make it fun by adding competitions and talent shows
We provide universal (free) breakfasts, lunches and snacks to minimize issue of hunger in our school
Partnerships
The Abbey Food Service
Composting at Hudaks -via the NW Solid Waste District
Efficiency Vermont
Department of Health
Local Farms and Department of Agriculture (Farm to School Programming)
Additional Points of Interest
Students helped us conduct radon testing (we learned we have no radon problem)
Our school water systems were tested for lead (all clear)
We conducted an Envision Program Audit
Analysis showed that we have an Energy Star Rating that places us in the 89th percentile among similar public schools
We organized a coordinated school health team which evaluated our health policies and actions
We established a Facility Operating Plan
