Paly Green Team Meeting
- February 8, 2007 –
I. Welcome & Intros (5 min)
II. Overview of PAUSD Sustainability Initiatives (5 min)
III. Stanford Collaboration (5 min)
IV. Envisioning a Green School
V. Brainstorm Solutions
Meeting Summary
The goal of the first Paly Green Team meeting was to create a vision for a sustainable school and brainstorm projects that can help the school reach that vision. Support for these efforts will come from Nik Kaestner, District sustainability consultant, and Carrie Armel, a researcher at Stanford University. It is hoped, however, that the Green Team will be a self-sustained group of Paly teachers, staff, and students who come together monthly to identify ever new ways to reduce waste, lower energy consumption, and increase alternative transportation on campus.
Team members suggested that a Green School is one with:
1. a zero carbon footprint
2. efficient/intelligent HVAC and lighting
3. minimized paper use
4. green construction practices
5. an environmental awareness and curriculum program
6. a comprehensive recycling system
7. maximal use of grey water
8. minimal single driver commuting
9. increased tree cover
10. a plan to constantly improve in each area
Many of these elements are influenced by student and staff behavior on campus, but a few, like green building techniques and intelligent HVAC systems, require infrastructure improvements that only the District Office can accomplish. In order to narrow the focus of the Green Team, members were encouraged to identify solutions that can be implemented by the Paly community. The following list of suggestions emerged:
Waste
developing a comprehensive recycling system with classroom containers, outdoor bins,
and a process for managing proper collection
eliminating disposable lunch trays and paper boats used in food service
incentive for students to bring reusable tableware and cups (jamba, discount, etc.)
creating stylish Nalgene bottles and encouraging purchases at beginning of year
conducting a social norming campaign to encourage recycling and Nalgene use
creating a “personal garbage bag” lesson plan to show personal waste generated
doing a trash audit to identify areas to save on dumping fees
getting custodians involved in the brainstorming process
implementing a composting system
Energy
putting computers and peripherals on power strips that can be turned off at night
turning off screensavers and enabling sleep modes at every computer
Transportation
changing the carpooling law to allow school commutes during first year as driver
increasing bike security with loackers, etc.
monitoring carpool to determine compliance
General
identify a source of funding for initial efforts
creating a web page that highlights the Green Team and its efforts
Due to the interest in waste, it seemed that this was the best place to start Paly’s efforts. Kenyon will present the idea of creating a more formal recycling system at the staff development meeting on 2/16. Furthermore, Eric Bloom has been approached to discuss a possible waste audit at the next meeting on 3/7.
Finally, it was decided that the best attendance can be ensured when meetings are held right after school. Thus, monthly meetings shall be the first Wednesday of every month. The next one is March, 7, 2007.