District Administration - June 2011 - (Page 22)

Sustainability Largest Net-Zero Middle School to Open always looking to help the lady bird johnson environment and cut costs.” Middle school opening in the The $29 million project irving (Texas) independent was funded through a bond school district this august is passed in 2007, which led to named after the Texas native many other green endeavors and former First lady, who and renovations throughout died in 2007. The 152,000the district. one example, says square-foot school is designed layne, is the rubber flooring to be a net-zero school, which throughout the district’s means it will produce as 37 schools, which doesn’t much energy as it consumes. require a finish and isn’t in fact, it will be the largest releasing chemicals into the net-zero middle school in the Lady Bird Johnson Middle School in the Irving (Texas) Independent environment. nation. irving isd is located School District will be the largest net-zero middle school in the country. Many interactive features in in a suburb of dallas and has the building will tie sustainability into the curriculum as well, 34,000 students and 37 educational facilities. solar panels and an on-site wind turbine will provide the says layne, including a learning laboratory where students can bulk of the energy, but geothermal heating and cooling elements study the amount of energy being used in the classrooms around will play a role as well, says scott layne, assistant superintendent the school. layne says elementary students from the district will for support services in the district. The school, which will house take field trips to the middle school so it can be experienced by roughly 800 students, also will have a well to help with irrigation, more students than just those it serves. lady bird johnson, an and the interior will have controlled lighting, allowing sunlight advocate of both the environment and education, would have to illuminate most of the classrooms. “To get to net-zero you’ve been proud. layne hopes her daughters will be present at the got to construct a highly efficient building,” says layne. “We’re school’s dedication ceremony on october 16. Briefings First Federal Movement to Support Green Schools The firsT crop of Green ribbon schools, recoGnizeD for energy conservation, creating healthy learning spaces, school grounds, building operations and teaching environmental literacy, will be announced next year by the U.s. Department of education. The new initiative, launched April 26 on the heels of earth Day, will be modeled after the department’s blue ribbon schools program, which recognizes academic performance. This is the first time the federal government has launched a comprehensive green schools movement, and it will tie in with president obama’s pledge to increase energy efficiency and make the United states a greener place. “preparing our children to be good environmental citizens is some of the most important work any of us can do,” said U.s. secretary of education Arne Duncan. “it’s work that will serve future generations and quite literally sustain our world.” According to Duncan, environmental literacy, which teaches students the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy efficiency, should be incorporated into curricula nationwide. The Doe will be working alongside the U.s. environmental protection Agency and the White house council on environmental Quality to evaluate the nominated schools. Applications for the program will be released later this year. Maggie Ollove, Earth Day Network U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced the Green Ribbon Schools program with the Council on Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency. 22 June 2011 District Administration

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - June 2011

District Administration - June 2011
Contents
From the Editor
Letters
News Update
Curriculum News
Sustainability News
Administrator Profile
District Profile
District-Level Downsizing
Lessons Learned from One-to-One
Partner for One-to-One Success
Pioneering States
The Changing Role of the CTO
New Directions for Special Ed
Problem/Solution
Books
Products
Student Counsel
Going Mobile
Professional Opinion

District Administration - June 2011