Earlier this year, we invited K-12 schools across the country to enter our Green School Makeover Competition, asking interested schools to propose a green school project or projects — for a chance to win $65,000 in funding, along with roughly the same in consulting fees to see the plans through to completion.
Our panel of judges considered ent ries from more than 200 public, private, and charter schools across the country and selected 10 finalists. And the winner is: The Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) in Austin.
ABOUT THE WINNING SCHOOL
The Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) is the oldest continuously operating, publicly funded school in Texas. Since 1857, more than 10,000 K-12 students have graced the halls of TSD and benefitted from the school''s diverse program levels to ensure that each student is able to learn at his or her most effective rate. As part of the grand prize, the school will receive the ultimate Green School Makeover, including $65,000 for school renovations and an additional $65,000 worth of technical assistance.
ABOUT THE GREEN SCHOOL PROJECTS
With the funds received from the Green School Makeover Competition prize, the Texas School for the Deaf plans to:
Update facilities to allow for energy-efficient upgrades. Retrofit light fixtures to allow for energy-efficient bulbs and motion-activated lights to conserve energy. Cost savings from the energy-efficient upgrades will be reinvested back into the education programs.
Initiate water conservation tactics. Reduce water usage and consumption by placing rain barrels to collect for watering the school grounds and installing hands-free faucets in lavatories. TSD currently spends $20,000 in bottled water every year and plans to switch to reusable bottles and install a tap filtration system — then they will put saved funds back into their education program.
Initiate waste reduction tactics. Install hands-free hand dryers in restrooms, to conserve paper and save materials from going to landfills. It will also reduce supply costs for the school, cut down on waste, and reduce staff time spent replenishing paper towels and emptying trash.
Educate the student body on recycling. Install recycling bins next to every trashcan on campus, to encourage recycling campus-wide. Educate school community on recycling and spread habits to home life.
Courtesy of www.globalgreen.org