December 2014 News


In This Issue
8th Annual Green Schools Summit
Planet Aid
Feature YOUR Business or Organization in Our Newsletter
4 Questions for Conscious Consumption
Green Schools National Conference
Green Schools and America Recycles Day
EPA Publishes Guidance for Schools
Great Articles and Video
10 Unexpected Ways Your Old Clothing is Repurposed
National High School Principal of the Year
Video of Neil deGrasse Tyson and Six-Year-Old
How Low Can You Go Challenge
STEMfest in Milwaukee
Green Ribbon Schools Application Period Open
Grant Opportunity

Interact With Green Schools!


 

Green Strides Webinar Series and Resources

 

 

 

Visit U.S. Department of Education Green Strides 

 

Green Schools Sponsors

 

 

 

 

 

 


Join Our Mailing List! 

 

 

 
  
As the calendar year comes to a close Green Schools wanted to once again thank all of you who were able to donate to our Green Schools Campaign.  Our campaign raised over $4,000 which will help support 47 chapters of National Green Schools Society or 268 students! We are forever grateful for your continued support to help develop the Next Generation of Students and Schools!   

If you missed the chance to donate during our 60 day campaign, please consider end of year holiday giving.  

$15 - Sponsor 1 Student Member of National Green Schools Society
$45 - Sponsor 3 Student Members of National Green Schools Society
$85 - Sponsor 1 Chapter of the National Green Schools Society
$150 - Sponsor 2 Teachers with Professional Development on Greening Your School
Or More


Happy Holidays from Green Schools!

 

Save The Date

8TH ANNUAL GREEN SCHOOLS SUMMIT 
 
 
GET READY TO:
 
GREEN-O-VATE, EDUCATE & SAVE THE DATE!
 
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
 
APRIL 8, 2015
 

 

Planet Aid - New Green Schools Sponsor and Great School Fundraiser


You may have seen those yellow bins around - that's Planet Aid. We place bins at schools to collect used clothing and shoes. Schools raise funds from the donations received in the bin, and we do all the work -- from pick up to distribution. We also help schools and students by providing related project ideas and ways that they can raise more funds through clothes recycling drives. 

 

To Learn More Visit  www.planetaid.org

 

If you live in Southern New England visit  http://www.planetaid.org/your-local-planet-aid/new-england 

 

 

Planet Aid is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that collects and recycles used clothing and shoes to protect the environment and support charitable causes all over the world. From funding sustainable development projects in Africa, Asia and South America, to helping our local communities through fundraisers, outreach and events, Planet Aid is dedicated to working for the environment and for people.
 

Feature YOUR Business or Organization in Green Schools Monthly Newsletter

Green Schools is a multiple award-winning 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization, organized for innovative Environmental Education [EE], STEM Education, and Environmental Literacy purposes.Green Schools' mission is to create Greener &healthier students & schools through Innovative Environmental Education, Leadership, and Action! Green Schools provides a number of Hands-on programs and resources to help you develop the Next Generation of Students & Schools!


 
Our monthly newsletters reach over 4,000 people from every day citizens to government agencies nationally and internationally.  
 
Consider a listing level that works for you:  

  

Silver Listing-$150...2 Featured Business articles and 2 posts on Social Media [Twitter/Facebook]

 

Gold Listing-$250...4 Featured Business articles and 4 posts on Social Media [Twitter/Facebook]

 

Green Listing -$350...6 Featured Business articles and 6 posts on Social Media [Twitter/Facebook]

 
Your articles could be featured in one or both of our monthly newsletters: 
 
1) Green School News - Released the first of the month
 
2) Green Student News - Released the 15th of the month 


 

Send us an email to get started on listing your business or organization in our monthly newsletters!


 

 

Want to become a Green Schools Sponsor? 

  

Your investment will provide students and schools with opportunities to develop environmental policies and programs, become environmental stewards, and implement real projects with real impact.

 

 Learn More about becoming a Green Schools Sponsor 

 

4 Questions for Conscious Consumption

 

One of the most important aspects of an eco-friendly life is making the conscious decision to simply consume less - conscious consumption if you will.

 

It is a disarmingly simple strategy, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's always an easy one to practice, especially in a culture where billion dollar advertising budgets are quickly becoming the norm.


Asking yourself these four questions before you buy something will help align your actions with your ideals, and curb your environmental impact, too

 

1. Do I need this?

Simple and effective. Do you truly need this item? Is it a dust-collector, a duplicate, or an impulse purchase you're likely to regret or forget about? Or is it a genuine need? Everyone's definition will look a little different, but I typically default to the wise words of William Morris on this one, "If you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."

 

If you do truly need it carry on to the second question.

 

Read Full Article

 

 

Join the Largest Gathering of K-12 Green School Advocates in the Nation

  

 

 

March 4-7 2015 | Virginia Beach 

 

Early Bird Registration is STILL OPEN!

 


 

We're putting the final touches on our program for the 5th annual Green Schools National Conference. This year's event will include speakers that will get you pumped and primed to green your school, so don't miss out on Early Bird rates 

 

 

Are you keeping up with the green schools movement? Subscribe now to the Green Schools National Network's GreenNotes e-newsletter, and stay updated on topics that will inspire and motivate - and learn the latest on the annual Green Schools National Conference. 

 

 

Green Schools and Town of Foxboro and Foxboro Lions Club Joined Together for America Recycles Day

 

  


A great big thank you to the Town of Foxboro and the Foxboro Lions Club for a great partnership and amazing turnout for America Recycles Day on November 15th!  

12,000 bottles and cans were recycled that day and 
Green Schools received $600! 
EPA Publishes New Guidance for Schools

 

 EPA Publishes New Guidance for Schools Integrating Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency



EPA is excited to announce the release of new guidanceEnergy Savings Plus Health: Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for School Building UpgradesThe Guidelines equip school districts with tools to integrate indoor air quality (IAQ) protections into school energy efficiency retrofits and other building upgrade projects, thus helping schools implement important energy efficiency upgrades without compromising occupant health. Energy management and IAQ protection are critical priorities for school facility management. Renovation and construction activities can create dust, introduce new contaminants and contaminant pathways, create or aggravate moisture problems, and result in inadequate ventilation in occupied spaces. The Guidelines offer opportunities to prevent and control potentially harmful conditions during school renovations. The Guidelines address 23 critical topics for building upgrades, including moisture control and mold, building products and materials and ambient air quality.

 

Great Articles to Read and Video to Watch

 

Solaroad Opens First Solar Bike Path

 

Magical Gardens for the Blind, Deaf and Disabled

 

Five Ways to Bring Innovation into the Classroom

 

MIT Explains How to Turn an Old Car Battery Into a Working Solar Cell

 

Watch: A Bee's Invoice: The Hidden Value In Nature

 

The World's First Bike with Wheels Made of Ice

 

10 Unexpected Ways Your Old Clothing is Repurposed

 

  

Have you ever looked at an old grungy sweater or a torn pair of jeans and thought, "there's no way this can be donated?" Many people are discouraged from giving their worn down items to charities, but almost everything in our closets, even the most "loved" items, can be resold or recycled. In fact, you are likely using repurposed incarnations of your old duds on a daily basis!

 

Believe it or not, old clothes and shoes can be repurposed into...

 

Click to find out

 

2014 MetLIfe/NASSP National High School Prinicpal of the Year

 

Sheila Harrity, the first Massachusetts principal to be named a national principal of the year in the program's 20-year history, took over as principal at Worcester Tech in 2006 with a new building and a renewed community commitment to turn the school around from its status as one of the lowest performing in the state. Harrity seized the opportunity to implement small learning communities, change the school's culture, and empower teachers so all of the school's nearly 1,400 students would graduate to thrive in the 21st century. 

 

Read Full Article

 

Neil deGrasse Tyson Responds to Six-Year-Old

 

If you haven't seen this viral video, please watch.

 

Neil deGrasse Tyson responds to six-year-old -
Neil deGrasse Tyson responds to six-year-old - "How can first graders help the earth?"
 

Neil deGrasse Tyson just told a tiny girl to be a scientist, and now I'm weeping

 

How Low Can You Go Challenge

November 15, 2014 - February 28, 2015

 

The Miami HEAT has challenged Broward County Public Schools, FL to find innovative ways to reduce energy consumption at each campus. Through a greening initiative titled "How Low Can You Go?" the team is enticing the schools to raise environmental awareness of CO2 emissions and educate the facilities to potential financial savings through responsible energy consumption. 

 

How Low Can You Go Energy Challenge
How Low Can You Go Energy Challenge
 

Contact Linda Gancitano for more information or to sign up for the challenge

 

More Than 7,000 attend 6th Annual STEMfest in Milwaukee

Thursday, November 20, 2014 

Young people enjoy hands-on STEM at Time Warner Cable free event

 

 

 

Read Full Article

 

U.S. Department of Green Ribbons Schools Application Period Open 

You've got a green school - here is another opportunity to show it off!


Eleven states that are covered by  state or regional CHPS Criteriaparticipate in the Green Schools award- click on the links for more details about each state application process (note deadlines are not yet posted for all states):

Click for more details about the award and how to apply

  
Grant Opportunity
DoSomething.org Seed Grants  Deadline: Ongoing

 

Are you working to start a community action project or program with your friends? Do you need money to put your ideas into action? A $500 Do Something Seed Grant is given out every week to help young people just like YOU! These grants can be used towards project ideas and programs that are just getting started, or to jump-start your program and realize your ideas for the first time. These grants can also be used towards projects that are already developed and sustainable, towards the next steps of your project and organization to help you as you look to expand your project and grow your impact. Click Here   

 

 

Sincerely,

Robin Organ

Founder and Executive Director

Green Schools