Sustainable Jersey for Schools
Sustainable Jersey for Schools • Modeled off of the municipal program • Free and voluntary • NJ based and consensus driven • School level certifications but requires School Board and district level support 2 schools@sustainablejersey.com www.SustainableJerseySchools.com
Program Partners 3
Sponsors Underwritten by: Founding Sponsors:
Why Participate? • Framework for action Best practices, guidance and training Technical support resources Small grants • Positive impact on school community Cost savings Healthier learning environments Student and staff performance schools@sustainablejersey.com www.SustainableJerseySchools.com
Why Participate? • Move towards a sustainable future Increase recognition and understanding of current and future challenges Arm students with knowledge and insights to make wise choices Connect STEM education with real-life Expose students to future career paths • Recognize and reinforce progress Celebrate accomplishments Share successes Distinguish your district and school schools@sustainablejersey.com www.SustainableJerseySchools.com
Leverage Success in Other Programs • Build Additive and Supportive Model • US Dept. Of Education “GREEN RIBBON SCHOOLS” • National Wildlife Federation, “EcoSchools” • NJ Partnership for Healthy Kids • Alliance for a Healthier Generation • Lots of other great programs…..
Actions: Prosperity, Planet, People
Bronze Certification • Total of at least 150 points • Mandatory Green Team • Implement 2 of 11 priority actions • Actions completed in 6 of 17 categories – District Actions – School Actions – District or School Actions
Silver Certification • Significant progress and a statewide leader • Total of at least 350 points • Green Team • Implement 3 out of 11 priority actions • Actions completed in 8 of 17 categories – District Actions – School Actions – District or School Actions
Certification Action Categories PEOPLE PLANET Diversity & Equity Climate Mitigation & • PEOPLE PLANET • Renewable Energy Food & Nutrition • Green Cleaning Healthy School • • Environments Green Design • Safe Routes to School PROSPERITY Green Purchasing • • Student & Community School Grounds • • Outreach Waste Management • Student & Staff & Recycling • Components of Sustainability Wellness PROSPERITY Student Learning Leadership & Planning • • Energy Efficiency Learning Environment • • Innovation Projects • schools@sustainablejersey.com 11 www.SustainableJerseySchools.com
11 Priority Actions • Community Education & • Professional Development for Outreach Sustainability • School Wellness Council • Education for Sustainability • Indoor Air Quality Review • School Carbon Footprint • Energy Audit • Green Building Policy • Building Efficiency • Green Purchasing Policy Measures • Waste Audit 12
Types of Actions • District Only District completes these actions and submits them for review • School Only Individual schools complete these actions and submits them for review • Either District or School can complete the action Action must be claimed by the agreed upon entity
District and School Participation • District actions flow down to all participating schools in the district • Certification is awarded at the school level 14
District Only Actions • District actions must be completed at the district level • Focus on district-wide policies and planning efforts • Actions listed in the district online application accessible from the district dashboard • Approved district actions are automatically incorporated in to the schools certification applications
SRTS District Policy Requires school districts to adopt a Walk and Bike to School, Active Transportation or School Wellness Policy that includes language encouraging walking and bicycling to school as a way to improve and promote student and school staff health District Only Must Submit: • Active Transportation Policy adopted by school or School Wellness Policy that includes walking/biking to school 16
School Only Actions • School actions must be completed at the school level • Focus on programs, activities, and projects completed at an individual school • Actions listed in the school’s online application accessible from the school dashboard
School Travel Plan for Walking and Biking A school travel plan maps out how to improve pedestrian and bicycle travel to and from school in order to increase the number of students who walk or bike to school and improve safety School Only Must Submit: • Copy of school travel plan completed within the last 3 years that includes the following 6 elements 1. School description and partnerships 4. Walk/bike barriers and opportunities 2. Maps of school neighborhood 5. Goals and actions 3. Walk/bike assessments 6. Evaluation 18
Pedestrian and Bicycle Awareness and Safety Programs Implement programs that foster a culture of active transportation through safety education and promotion of best practices or infrastructure improvements School Only Must Submit: Two Events plus • One active transportation • One infrastructure best practice • Installing sidewalks OR • Stripe crosswalks • Bicycle Parking & Storage • Signals • Remote Drop off/Pick up • Safe Routes to Bus Stops • Staggered Dismissal • Safe Routes to Bus Stops • Staff walking/biking to school program 19
School Wellness Council Develop and maintain an active and diverse School Wellness Council that proactively works toward improving student and staff health School Only Must Submit: • List of participating council members and meeting schedule (6 times per year) • Report of council’s accomplishments 20
District or School Actions • Actions listed in both the district and individual school’s online application If the district claims the action it will be listed on the schools application but not accessible • If an action is approved at the district level, it will be automatically incorporated in to the schools’ certification applications • Focus on programs or activities that could be implemented on a district-wide basis or by individual schools (i.e. Breakfast After the Bell, Green Purchasing) • District activity on the action overrides school District and schools need to coordinate who will take the lead on these actions
Green Team The formation of a "Green Team" is the first step in establishing a school sustainability program. Green Teams leverage the skills and expertise of team members to develop plans, implement programs, and assist with educational opportunities that support the creation of a sustainable school. Must Submit: • Documentation from superintendent (district level) or principal (school level) formally establishing team that includes list of members • Summary of activities undertaken by the Green Team int the previous twelve months. 22
Anti-Idling Education & Enforcement Program Reduce vehicle idling on school grounds Must Submit School: District: • School assessment • Anti-Idling Resolution • Three initiatives • Two initiatives • School educational outreach • District educational outreach • No idling signage • Collaborate with police on • No idling pledges enforcement • Anti-idling program for students • Curriculum link • Collaborate with police on • Anti-Idling technology on enforcement buses • Evaluation report • Bus route management • Bus driver training 23
Outdoor Air Quality Awareness Program Encourages district or school to track outdoor air quality and the implement of protocol to limit student exposure on days considered to be unhealthy Must Submit: • Description of how air quality information is provided to the school community • Protocol for unhealthy air quality days • Samples of outreach materials 24
Five Certification Steps • School district adopts resolution of participation and registers. Superintendent invites district’s school principals to participate 1 • School principals register their school with letter of participation 2 signed by principal and superintendent • Green Team created at district or school level 3 • District/School completes certification actions totaling at least 150 4 points. Online interactive application goes live January 2015 • School uploads documentation. Certification awarded after review 5 schools@sustainablejersey.com 25 www.SustainableJerseySchools.com
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Initial Certification Cycle Program Timelines • October 2014 - Program Registration Open to School Districts • January 15-March 30 2015 Initial Rolling Online Application Submission Deadline • Mid-April 2015 First Round Review Comments Provided to School • May 30 2015 Second Application Submission Deadline • Mid-June 2015 Second Round Review Comments Provided to School • August 30 2015 Third (Final) Application Submission Deadline • Mid-September Final Decision on Pending Applications 27
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