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Environment Matters: Spring 2003 |
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In This Issue...Energy Funding and Assistance Available to Central Valley School DistrictsThe State and Consumer Services Agency (SCSA) was recently awarded a $4.5 million grant from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to develop and implement the School Energy Efficiency (SEE) Program, a comprehensive energy education and facility improvement project for Central Valley school districts. The SEE Program is comprised of two key components:
The program will deliver these services to 55 school districts in the Central Valley counties of Tulare, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kern, and Kings. Mariposa, Yolo, and El Dorado counties may be included in the program as well, pending approval by the CPUC. The SEE Program activities started in February 2003 and will continue through March 2004. An important aspect of the SEE Program is the development of energy-efficient demonstration projects. These projects will serve to expose district operations staff, administrators, and educators to energy-efficient technologies and applications that the district might not otherwise consider. The demonstration projects will also become training tools for the host district and other local districts interested in learning about new energy-efficient technologies and function as educational opportunities for students. The SCSA recently worked with the Fresno Unified School District to develop a demonstration project at Wawona Middle School. While the rest of Wawona’s campus recently had been modernized, its multipurpose room still used incandescent lighting with recessed cans to illuminate the room’s 4,083 square-foot space. This room is used by the entire student body and faculty for assemblies, stage productions, recitals, and staff meetings, and is also widely used by the surrounding community for events and meetings. Through this project, the multipurpose room was outfitted with new high performance electronic fixtures that meet Energy Star guidelines and a motion control system. The students at Wawona conducted a before-and-after comparison study on the project that involved collecting data on variables such as temperature and light levels, and conducting surveys on personal comfort and the effectiveness of lighting for various activities. Not only has the lighting quality increased, but the overall aesthetics of the space has dramatically improved as well. Overall, this demonstration project is expected to yield 79 percent energy savings, with an associated cost savings of $3,448 per year. Due to the extensive use of Wawona’s multipurpose room, almost everyone in the school has become aware of the improvements that an upgraded lighting system can make. Feedback from the district—including the manager of environmental services, Wawona’s principal, and maintenance and operations staff—has been very positive. The results of this project analysis work will be entered into the county science fair. Not only do demonstration projects like this showcase the economic advantages of improving energy efficiency, but they also provide teachers with a more effective learning tool for educating their students about energy efficiency. With the coordination of facilities managers, teachers, and students, demonstration projects like Wawona Middle School will be constructed in several school districts throughout the Central Valley. If your Central Valley school district would like to participate in the SEE Program, please contact:
For more information regarding the SEE Program, please visit the SCSA’s Web site. Peanut HotlineThe Plastic Loose Fill Council (PLFC) was founded in 1991 to develop, promote, and implement the original use and subsequent recovery, reuse, and recycling of polystyrene loose fill, commonly known as "packing peanuts." The PLFC is committed to helping find environmental solutions through public education and through the development of the Peanut Hotline, the nationwide consumer reuse program for plastic packing peanuts. This 24-hour, toll-free telephone hotline can be called to determine the location of your nearest collection center for packing peanuts. So, pick up the phone and call the hotline at 1-800-828-2214, or search for locations on-line through the PLFC Web site. For additional information about polystyrene loose fill and the environment, please contact Karen Joffe, Executive Director of the PLFC, at (510) 654-0756. The PLFC can also provide educators with a list of classroom discussion topics to encourage student participation and thinking, including the "How You Can Help" idea list. High Performance Schools Improve Student PerformanceIs your classroom stuffy? Is the air conditioner noisy? Does the new carpet smell? These are just a few of the problems that high performance schools help eliminate. A growing number of studies are confirming the direct causal relationship between a school's physical condition—especially improved lighting and indoor environmental quality—and increased student performance. High performance schools are learning venues that are healthy and comfortable; conserve energy, resources, and water; provide daylighting; protect the environment; and contain the amenities needed for quality education. By incorporating important concepts such as energy, water, and material efficiency into quality design, schools can also become teaching tools to illustrate a broad spectrum of scientific, mathematical, and social issues. The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) is dedicated to finding solutions to enhance the student learning environment. In 2000 the CHPS released a best practices manual, which has become the standard reference for high performance school design in California. This three-volume manual outlines in detail the advantages, process, and budgeting issues associated with designing high performance schools. Additionally, it provides technical design guidelines and eligibility criteria to assist school districts to create facilities that fit their budget, timeline, and educational goals. A fourth volume currently scheduled for development is an operations and maintenance guide that will also focus on the role of the educator in operating the high performance classroom. Ultimately, high performance schools significantly stimulate learning, improve student outcomes, and lower operating costs. Doesn't every teacher and student deserve to learn in a high performance school? Learn how your school can be one of the growing number of high performance schools in California. For more information on upcoming workshops sponsored by CHPS as well as other sustainable schools programs, visit the Board's High Performance Schools Web site. Second Chance to Apply for Grant Funds!The California Integrated Waste Management Board is offering a second cycle for the Unified Education Strategy (UES) Grant Program. The application period is open through April 11, 2003. All applications must be delivered to the Board’s Sacramento office (located at 1001 I Street, Sacramento, California 95812-4025) on or before April 11, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. Any applications received after this time will not be accepted and will be returned to the applicant. Here are the details and where to get more information: Grant Purpose The UES program is set up to provide grant funding, educational materials, professional development, and technical support over a two-year period to districts that wish to integrate instructional strategies that address State content standards with campus resource conservation programs. The UES program will focus on sixth-grade programs. The program is organized in two phases:
Applicant Eligibility Phase One UES grants are designed to support the development of programs focused on the sixth grade; therefore, these grants are available only to California public school districts with sixth grades. How to Apply You may request the application by writing, e-mailing or calling the CIWMB. Or you may download the application here (Adobe PDF, 253 KB | MS Word, 313 KB). Remember: applications are due at the Board’s Sacramento office no later than April 11, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. Mail to:
E-mail to: UESGrants@ciwmb.ca.gov Phone at: (916) 341-6769 Questions and Answers (Q&A)Due to the short timeframe available to apply for this grant opportunity, we highly recommend that you (1) check the already published Q&As, and (2) if you have a new question, not found on the Web site, that you submit it right away so the Board has time to answer it before the April 8th deadline. We also strongly encourage that you visit the Q&A page frequently, as we are constantly updating the information and want to ensure that you are proceeding with the most current information available. Don’t miss this opportunity for your district. Apply Now! In the Next Issue...In the summer 2003 issue of Environment Matters, look for another school district waste diversion case study and a status report on the Environmental Ambassador Pilot Program. Subscribe Now!If you or one of your colleagues would like to be notified when the next issue of Environment Matters is available to view, please join our Environment Matters ListServ. |
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Last updated: September 18, 2008 Office of Education and the Environment http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Schools/ Contact: EEI@calepa.ca.gov (916) 341-6769 |