Cherry Hill Public Schools Sustainability Update May 2015
Sustainability: Our 3-Year Plan Practical time frame - Implemented over a threeyear period, through June 2017. Revenue neutral being cost efficient in this process is one of our priorities. Reflects the Cherry Hill Public Schools Mission Statement and Board Goals.
Goal 1 We will create a shared understanding and commitment toward contributing to sustainability through teaching, learning and our actions.
Goal 2 We will create green and healthy spaces within and outside our schools.
Goal 3 We will use our natural resources responsibly to reduce environmental impact and costs.
In This Process, We Discovered a Ready-made Framework
Introducing: Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a certification program for New Jersey public schools that want to go green, conserve resources and take steps to create a brighter future, one school at a time. www.sustainablejerseyschools.com
In the Beginning: Sustainable Jersey In 2009, after years of development, Sustainable Jersey launched a sustainability certification program for New Jersey municipalities. The program was created from a partnership New Jersey League of Municipalities Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
The Formation of Sustainable Jersey for Schools In 2013, Sustainable Jersey and the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) announced plans to create a voluntary sustainability certification program called Sustainable Jersey for Schools, designed specifically for New Jersey s public school districts and public charter schools. On October 28, 2014, Sustainable Jersey for Schools was launched.
What s in it for CHPS? Events and Training Certification Program Grants and Resources Our Goals
Sustainable Jersey for Schools Certification Program Gives the Cherry Hill Public Schools a rigorous framework through which to achieve our goals Provides specific actions for each school and for the District as a whole to follow Provides a baseline for many goals in our Sustainability Plan Helps us maintain the plan as revenue neutral Provides each of our schools, as well as the District as a whole, the opportunity to pursue the designation of Sustainable Jersey Certified
All 19 of our schools - and the Cherry Hill School District - are registered with Sustainable Jersey for Schools.
Next Steps Submit narratives and documentation of actions to Sustainable Jersey for Schools Each successfully completed action earns each applicant points Two levels of certification Bronze = 150 points Silver = 350 points
Team Effort The engine that drives our sustainability effort is the diversity of people who are involved: Students Principals Teachers Support Staff Central Administration Community members Since Fall 2014, the commitment to and enthusiasm for sustainability has continued to grow. Our excitement is not only about becoming Sustainable Jersey for Schools certified, but about the integration of sustainability into all that we do.
Examples of Sustainability Actions Recyclebank Grants: 6 of our schools in 2015 were awarded more than $15,000 in grants for green projects Several of our teachers in each school are certified as Green Classroom Professionals under the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Sustainable Design Class will be offered at Cherry Hill High School West beginning in the 2015-2016 school year Waste audits are taking place in our schools through a partnership with the Department of Public Works Tracking and benchmarking of energy and water is in place district-wide
What Certification Means Valid for 3 years Conserve valuable resources. Protect the environment Save money. Get money. Improve our schools and district. Gain access to training, tools and expert guidance. Get recognized. Promote our schools.
Beyond Sustainable Jersey for Schools Certification Our certification will be one point of pride in our ongoing sustainability work. We will continue to communicate our green achievements and initiatives through a variety of media.
Community Awareness Via Social Media Facebook District App & Instagram Twitter
Community Awareness Via District Newsletter
Community Awareness Via Local Media
Expanding Communication and Collaboration We are developing online dialog opportunities between schools for sharing ideas and strategies We are exploring technology resources that offer professional development platforms We will continue to communicate our sustainability progress through multiple platforms
Result: Sustainability Is a Thread That Runs Through All We Do