AT SCHOOL

THE SCHOOL CONFLICT

School sucks. No, really, it does. Schools literally suck up lots of energy. From the institution-style box buildings that could badly do with some retrofitting, to the common practice of keeping doors propped open for the ease of entry and exits, schools are taking in energy just as fast as they're wasting it. If you see areas where your school can improve its energy efficiency and eco-mindfulness, speak up! YOU can teach a valuable lesson when it comes to global warming.


FLICK OFF!
Stop putting your computer to ‘sleep’ when you could just flick it off. Tell your teacher this very simple tip, then Teach' can help implement it school-wide.

INSTALL COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS
Ask your school to install compact fluorescent bulbs. They make a huge difference to the earth and are cost-effective.

START AN ANNUAL PLANT-A-TREE PROGRAM
Or a seed, a sapling, whatever. Trees clean the air.

INITATE COMPOSTING AND MULCHING PROGRAMS
Have students sort their lunch waste daily in the cafeteria. The kitchen staff may already place food preparation scraps in one barrel, and it may just be a matter of providing a second barrel for packaging wastes such as plastic or foam trays. Students can sell the compost to local gardeners and nurseries to raise money for their school. For a great example on how to get your school started, click here.


GET A SCHOOL ENERGY AUDIT
If you can audit your home, why not audit your school? Think of all the leaky, drafty spots just oozing energy. Think of all the outdated lighing. Tell the school board you can practically see the greenhouse gases floating skywards. Also mention all the money in wasted heat floating skywards. That should make them perk up.

WALK, BIKE, RUN OR ROLLERBLADE TO SCHOOL
Carpooling and public transit are other options for leaving the car behind. Meet up with friends for the walk to make it more fun. Start a Walking School Bus if you've got lots of kids in one neighborhood (WARNING: If you're a teenager, you may not actually want to start a Walking School Bus. That tip is for the parentals).

TELL YOUR SCHOOL TO PROVIDE SAFE, SECURE BIKE RACKS 
Don't ride your bike to school because there's not enough places to park it or you're afraid it might get stolen? Not a good excuse! Tell your school to provide a safe and secure place for you to lock your bike. Make sure the solution accounts for the number of racks needed.

START A LETTER-WRITING CAMPAIGN!
Companies actually want to hear from you. Write to tell stores that you wish they’d Flick Off at nighttime. Tell companies when you’re glad they’re being green, or offer alternative solutions to those who aren't green. Letter writing is an effective way to petition for change.

DON'T IDLE!
School buses and cars are not allowed to idle or stand still without moving while the engine is running. Ask your principal to implement a 'No Idling Ever' policy for pick-ups and drop-offs, school buses included! If you're not shy, remind drivers to turn off when you notice them idling.

GO CARBON NEUTRAL Everybody's doing it. If your school makes a mess that's too big to clean up (like a class trip to Sudbury for your mining unit), ask your school to offset it. Start by tabulating how much energy you use for a project, a trip, or even the school's needs for one year. Offset it by purchasing green credits: Support clean, renewable power. Plant a whack of trees. There's tons of options! 

BUY RECYCLED!
Buy writing materials made of recycled paper. This helps to reduce the number of trees cut to produce paper.

ONE PEN. ONE PENCIL.
Reduce waste by using a fountain pen and mechanical pencil. See how long you can use just one of each.

READ ENVIRO BOOKS DURING STORY TIME
Place books like Dr. Suess' The Lorax and others like it on reading lists. The Lorax breaks down the significance of protecting and the dangers of disregarding our environment.

SPEAK TO YOUR SCHOOL BOARD, PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION AND STUDENT UNION
We get it. We know it's hard to implement policies and procedures, especially when you have to go through millions of policies and procedures to create one. So speak up! There's a reason you've joined the PTA or Student Union. You wanted a voice, you wanted change. Do the research and take the steps to get your school to FLICK OFF.

HOLD A SCHOOL-WIDE SWAP
Swap school supplies, unwanted toys and clothing. Trading amongst a big group is a great way to get new stuff, and reduce waste. Hold a used book drive with old school books, children's books and even novels to encourage both students and parents to participate.

CLEAN UP THE SCHOOLYARD
Check out your local schoolyard: lots of litter. Provide students with the opportunity to help clean up their school. Offer plastic gloves and explain the importance of reduce, reuse, recycle as well as putting litter in its place.

HOLD LITTERLESS LUNCH DAYS!
By packing completely disposable lunches, we're encouraging kids to lead jettison lifestyles. Try to reuse containers to hold apple slices, carrot sticks, and crackers. See if you can get more than one use out of a plastic baggie.

REUSE SCRAP PAPER
Encourage classes to reuse scrap paper for note taking, art projects, spelling tests and pop quizzes.

START AN ECO CLUB
Get some other students involved, pick an issue you're all concerned about, and create a plan to tackle it. You can raise awareness, you can raise money. Get a teacher with experience to help coordinate. You might be surprised what you can do.

 
RETROFIT YOUR SCHOOL BUILDING So you've got a school that's older than all the lunch ladies put together and it oozes inefficiency. You don't have to tear anything down, just add some new stuff! It's called retrofitting. Get the pros in to retrofit your lighting, install some timers, retrofit your boilers and fill in the leaky bits! A little up-front investment will pay off big time in the long run.

GROW A GREEN ROOF. OR A GREEN WALL.
Use your school's roof for something other than catching fly balls. Green roofs are popping up in cities across North America as a healthy combatant to the urban heat island effect. They also look incredibly cool! Green walls are another option. Not only do they perform the same function; they are also simpler and easier to install.  For more information check out Light House Sustainable Building Centre.


PLANT A COMMUNITY GARDEN
Put the vibe out in the neighbourhood and see where your school can dig up a community garden. Research native plants, flowers and trees. You could even grow some vegetables. Check out what this school's got growing for it.

NATURALIZE YOUR SCHOOLYARD Is your schoolyard about as inspiring as a subway ride? Plant tons of native species and turn your yard around. The Evergreen Foundation provides assistance and funding.

SHOW SOME SCHOOL PRIDE! Let us know what your school is doing to FLICK OFF. Click on "add new comment" below (right here, see it?) and tell Canada how you're SCHOOLing climate change.