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Encouraging and implementing environmentally friendly practices at schools is
important and can be done in a variety of ways. Whether it is retrofitting an
older building with new green technologies, starting a recycling program,
implementing green cleaning or packing a waste-free lunch, parents, students,
teachers and administrators can all play a role.
Green Schools Awards
— The program recognizes efforts of students,
teachers and school administrators who create healthy, efficient and productive
learning environments that enhance education and model cost saving practices and
design.
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Green Schools Guide —
A curriculum based Newspaper in Education document created to help Florida schools
implement and teach environmentally friendly practices.
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Green Cleaning in Schools —
Green Clean Schools is the Healthy Schools Campaign's national partnership to
promote green cleaning in America's schools. The initiative brings together the
cleaning industry, educational leaders, parents and advocates in a rapidly
growing Green Team whose mission is to encourage schools to adopt
environmentally friendly policies, practices and products. A free green cleaning
guide is available to help start green cleaning at school.
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Waste-Free Lunch —
A waste-free lunch involves using less packing and buying reusable instead of
disposable products. EPA provides great resources on how to pack a waste-free
lunch and even how to encourage the whole school to be waste-free.
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Dream in Green —
Dream in Green is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop and
implement programs that promote energy conservation and efficiency,
environmental sustainability and the use of renewable energy. Dream in Green
builds partnerships with schools, local governments and businesses for the
purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste and reliance on fossil
fuels. Programs emphasize education and behavior change.
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Green Schools Initiative —
The Green Schools Initiative was founded in 2004 by parent-environmentalists
concerned by how un-environmental their kids’ schools were and mobilized to
improve the environmental health and ecological sustainability of schools in the
U.S. The Green Schools Initiative believes it is essential to protect children's
health at school and in the world beyond school and works to
catalyze and support green actions by kids, teachers, parents and policymakers
to eliminate toxics, use resources sustainably, create green spaces and
buildings, serve healthy food and teach stewardship.
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USGBC Build Green Schools —
Across the United States, school districts large and small are realizing the
benefits of building with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
for Schools. Students, parents, teachers and community members are making the
difference, by letting elected officials know they want their schools built
green. Green schools cost less to operate, freeing up resources to truly
improving students’ education. Their carefully planned acoustics and abundant
daylight make it easier and more comfortable for students to learn. Their clean
indoor air cuts down sick days and gives children a head start for a healthy,
prosperous future. Their innovative design provides a wealth of hands-on
learning opportunities.
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2012 State of Florida