What is the Waunakee Green and Healthy Schools Initiative?

Green and Healthy Schools Initiative

OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM

Green and Healthy Schools Program is a joint project between WI DPI and WI DNR.  The process involves self evaluation of our school in seven areas, goal setting to improve the areas of study, and follow-up evaluation of goal achievement.  It is entirely voluntary and self-paced.

Required Areas of Assessment	Optional (Choose 2)
Waste and Recycling	Indoor Air Quality
Energy	Chemical and Mercury Management
Water	Integrated Pest Management
School Facilities and Grounds	Community Involvement
Healthy Lifestyle	Transportation

Benefits to the G&HS program:

1)      Once the Process is completed the DPI honors your school as a Green and Healthy School and you can fly the Green and Healthy flag.

2)      After the evaluation phase is completed the DNR awards your school with 50 recycle bins (As of April 8, we have finished phase 2 and have applied for these bins)

3)      Completing the goals will save our school money in energy costs and save valuable energy

4)      It increases a sense of community as our school/community works together

5)      It provides students with real world problem solving skills

6)      It prepares students for future problem solving related to sustainable use

7)      It helps us recognize Waunakee Community High School as the excellent learning community that it is.

Our school is already taking some initiatives, such as the school garden, the solar panels, composting project, etc.

The program should be student centered and student driven, with the support of a strong Green Team to organize and facilitate the program.  There are three basic components to the program:

1.       A Green Team oversees the program.  This is a core group of about 5-10 people from different areas of the school and community.  The green team is be responsible for overseeing the group doing each assessment, leading the plan of action, and reporting back to the Green Team during team meetings.  The Green Team is composed of:

a.       Teaching and support staff members from several disciplines

b.      Building/maintenance Director, custodial staff

c.       Representatives from 4 different student organizations

d.      2 Individual students who have a passion for the environment

e.      1 WPPI members

f.        WHS administrative staff

g.       Local businesses – Uniek Inc.

2.       Assessments:  Individual adults, students and groups/organizations worked as a team to perform the assessments and evaluate/come up with a plan of action.  We have had approximately 400 WHS students involved with these assessments, either through clubs and organizations, or class participation (for example, the physics and physical world students conducted a school wide energy audit of each classroom, and the physical education classes completed personal health assessments.)

3.       Action Plans:  The assessments have been completed and we are in the process of developing a plan of action for each assessment area.  We intend to submit ideas and brainstorm potential actions until the fall of 2011, when we will meet again to begin implementation of our action plans.   We will need teams dedicated to meeting the goals of each plan of action.  These actions can be as simple as stickers to remind people to turn off lights, or as large as writing grants – completely open ended so groups/organizations can find something that fit their organization’s interests.