Did you know that 20% of America goes to school every day, and that from 2006-2008, construction costs for school building was close to 80 billion dollars? What better place than to educate the people of our nation than our schools? Accordingly, Flossmoor School District 161, along with other districts throughout the country is doing everything they can to ensure that "green" awareness is being created. Teaching students at a young age how they can help preserve the environment by changing very simple habits can promote a culture of responsibility to the Earth for generations to come.
District 161 has continued to implement green initiatives in our schools to not only protect the environment, but also ensure the safety of our students and staff. Some of these include:
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The removal of hazardous materials such as mercury thermometers, and other potentially harmful chemicals. Air handling units have also been replaced with more high efficient machines. These steps help improve air quality and student health, which leads to a more suitable environment for learning.
- The District continues to closely monitor conditions in all of its buildings for potential hazards, such as moisture content in the drywall and ceilings, unsafe levels of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and volatile organic compounds.
- All lighting in classrooms and hallways has been converted to high efficient florescent lighting and electronic ballasts. The lighting in the gyms and multi-use areas has been converted from high-pressure sodium lighting to florescent lighting and electronic ballasts. The north gym at Parker has been converted from high-pressure sodium lighting to florescent lighting and electronic ballasts.
- Motion sensors have been added to light fixtures in all boys and girls restrooms. The lights do not stay on when the bathrooms are unoccupied thus reducing energy waste. Sensors have also been added to toilets, urinals, and faucets in an effort to reduce unnecessary water waste.
- A switch has been made to “green” cleaning products throughout the District. Green cleaning helps students stay healthy and learn. There is a clear link between poor indoor air quality, sick students and teachers, and poor academic and occupational performance. Green cleaning increases the lifespan of the facilities and preserves the environment.
- The District has begun to replace paper towel dispensers with blow-dry units, a move that will help eliminate waste.
The District Green Committee will be promoting National Green Week as well as Earth Week in the coming months. District 161 will continue Green initiatives to help reduce the environmental hazards that negatively affect students and staff along with conserving precious natural resources for future generations.
The committee developed a purpose and goals as a way to guide decision-making. Additionally, they were created to provide Green experiences for students and to reduce waste.
