Your School Can Be Green Too!
Written by Madiha Boolani, Four Green Steps.com
A lot of emphasis has been made in getting students to go green when getting ready to start school or get back to school after the summer vacations. But what about the educational institutions going adopting green practices. After all they are the ones who have the biggest impact on kids with impressionable minds. Our free green school program can help plant the roots of sustainability in students K-12 (currently is being used by over 750 000 students! Download here). Here are other 7 steps to making your school proud and green!
Form a green team: The green team includes stakeholders of the school-teachers, students, the board and parents etc. This will make the team more democratic and important stakeholders will be able to voice their opinions on green matters allowing for an open forum for discussion. The group is responsible for coordinating greening activities and upholding sustainability principles and making recommendations to decision makers.
Develop an environmental vision statement: Having developed by the school, this will be recognized by students as well as outside parties. It is meant to provide a direction and to inspire students in their green effort.
Conduct an environmental audit: See how green the school really is to find areas that need work. Then develop plans that target shortcomings. The audit also helps educate the school community about the health and environmental impacts the school has on them.
Plan: Develop a plan so as to tackle key areas where the schools green initiatives fall short. Set SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time bound) and make sure to get students and faculty involved.
Evaluate: There is no point of an action plan if you do not evaluate the progress made. Monitor waste reduced or energy saved.
Educate: Why does being green have to come with an extra effort? Integrate it in the curriculum! Academics and environmental awareness should go hand in hand. Get students involved with environmental projects providing real world problem solving.
Strive ahead: Get more people involved to make your initiatives well recognized and well supported. Celebrate victories to provide encouragement to students to strive on towards a greener earth.
