Berkshire School doing something about it for their campus.

The school will garner 45% of electric power usage as its recently installed 8 acre solar energy gathering installation comes online. The 8,332 panel system will generate 2 megawatts of electricity on the Berkshire campus.

SolarWorld Americas president, Kevin Kilkelly explained that Berkshire’s project and others around Massachusetts are made possible by Massachusetts policies aimed at increasing the states use of renewable energy sources.

“Berkshire School has made an impressive investment in the goals and education of sustainability…The project heads in the direction that Massachusetts officials had in mind when they enacted ambitious solar legislation last year. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Berkshire Mountains, the project is emblematic of the Bay State’s embrace of renewable energy,” Kilkelly explained. (BW)

Additional resources:

Berkshire School: www.berkshireschool.org

Boarding schools in MA

Prep School Outstanding In The Solar Field

Photo credit: Spotlight On: Berkshire School Solar Farm

A gift from alumnus Herbert V. Kohler, the $20 million center will house 15-20 juniors who will be divided into teams that will compete in their efforts to live in a net zero manner- “that is, they can’t consume more energy than the building produces.”(FC)

The Center generates power through its “325-kilowatt photovoltaic array, a roof-mounted solar water-heating system, a geothermal heat pump, a water-recycling system, and waste vegetable oil.”(FC)

Stationary bicycles might also be installed so that students can generate electricity/charge batteries while exercising.

“the facility will be equipped with a sophisticated energy-management system. That, in itself, is not unusual, but this one will not only be highly visible but responsive too. Students can monitor the building dashboard, get information on the center’s energy online, or watch it fluctuate on their smartphones. If one team is surging ahead, the other could, conceivably, choose en masse not to shower (showers, Wyatt says, can consume 75% of a building’s hot-water supply). Or they could lower the thermostats. Who knows how far a group of motivated teenagers will go to win? “(FC)

Kohler Center director Howard Ernst told Tischler, “There’s simply nothing like it.”

Ernst also explains that well being is part of the Center’s equation. Tischler, with Ernst, again:

“Ernst says the center’s live-in advisers will monitor the students and make sure the place doesn’t turn into a sort of chilly Lord of the Flies. Besides, he says, extreme deprivation isn’t the point. ‘We won’t measure the success of the experiment on energy output alone,’ he says. ‘Satisfaction with the experience is equally important. If we have to shower every other week to meet our goals, that’s not success.’

In other words, to create a truly sustainable energy-efficient environment, it has to account for not just electricity consumption but a measure of happiness as well. And Choate plans to monitor that too. ‘We’ll be asking, If the students are happy, are they using more or less energy?’ Ernst says. ‘Is there a relationship between energy use and satisfaction, and what is the direction of that relationship? In that sense, the students will be both the independent and dependent variables in the experiment.’”(FC)

Like me, Ernst has seen plenty of LEED and environmentally friendly buildings but the Kohler Environmental Living Center seems to be the first with a residential component at its core and students as the experiments independent and self determining variables.

(I must say, the Kohler Center’s demands and requirements of students seem quite similar to the ways that Midland School students live and work. Midland students just do it in a more rural, less architecturally fancy setting.)

There’s a certain power in living and working together- sharing assumptions and working toward a common goal. Although, I’m interested in seeing how the net zero goal works out, I’m most interested in the human piece- how smoothly decisions can be made, how competing interests are resolved, and how far individuals are willing to set aside personal wants and comforts for the greater good (in this case the experiment’s success).

So many of us are all for everything for which Kohler Environmental Living Center stands until the sacrifice must be ours.

Additional resources:

Boarding schools in CT
LEED certification
www.choate.edu

Darrow School‘s Craig Westcott talks about Darrow’s new wind turbine installation and the ways that the wind turbine, the school’s solar array, and the school’s waste water treatment program provides students with the opportunity to study the integration of science, technology, mathematics, and sustainability.

Worcester Academy‘s video entry into the Green Cup 2011 Challenge found my inbox.

It’s high camp- but effective high camp- featuring a supernatural, omniscient enforcer of environmental conciousness. It left me remembering the Japanese Ultraman series and thinking “I want to wear the green suit.”

South Kent School boys live and work in a family-style, structured, boarding school community. South Kent has a powerful program that builds strong relationships between students and faculty. As each student gains new friendships, respect for each other, and academic confidence, he gains a world of confidence.

SKS has very strong athletic program with an especially strong post graduate year.

Students spoke about learning, reaching their goals, and gaining many leadership roles.

SKS recently acquired the farm next to the campus that they will use to explore environmental lessons as well as raise their own livestock, vegetables and crops. SKS boys will build the barn and greenhouse and gain problem solving experience as school moves toward a greener campus.

SKS also has the C&N broadcasting production team that films all sporting events (home and away) which you can view on their website www.southkentschool.org. Check it out; it is amazing.

Great school for a young man!

The school celebrates 100 years of students living and learning through founder Curtis Wolsey Cate’s belief in:

“…a simple, active life with certain daily chores to be performed; early, cold-water bathing, out of door living and playing; serious studying and reading, choral singing, good music, and a sympathetic attitude towards all the arts; high standards of work and conduct; daily moments for reverent thought, and the almost constant companionship of honorable and unselfish men and women.” (Cate School Celebrates 100 Years On 10.10.10)

Built on contributions from all parts of the school’s constituency, the Centennial Campaign (started in 2005 ) will work to ensure the school’s future in direct and indirect ways. Campaign funds directed toward endowment will support faculty and students.

Physically, a portion of “Centennial Campaign funds are dedicated to sustainable/green buildings on campus…The Cate campus now has seven LEED buildings on campus, more than any other school in the country…”

The successful campaign represents a tangible expression of belief in the Cate’s work with it’s students; a record 45% of alumni and 91% of parents made donations to Cate during the past year.

Cate headmaster, Benjamin D. Williams IV commented:

“True to the life Mr. Cate envisioned in 1910, our school continues to be a place where students become their best selves—responsible to themselves and the people and world around them—through commitment, scholarship, companionship and service…”

Eric Niles, Head of School, at The Athenian School (Danville, CA in the East Bay) takes viewers on a summer campus tour. Campus is quiet and Niles nicely captures what an Athenian education means.

Emphasizing a safe and accepting community, Athenian is an upper and lower day school with a boarding program for 9-12 grade students. The school is a founding member of the Round Square Conference of Schools.

Blessed with a beautiful physical setting abutting Mt. Diablo State Park, Athenian uses the environment as a classroom whenever possible. Environmental science classes take place in the field. Students practice organic, native, self sustaining, gardening, and composting. 60% of the school’s electricity comes from a campus based solar array (in the shape of a capital A).

Living the notion that “education is to be experienced,” Athenian students take their active engagement into every facet of their educations.

Students are working to complete the second student built airplane and, as a graduation requirement, every junior student is required to complete an outdoor solo program.

An Athenian education fosters flexibility, perspectives, and confidence as the foundations for life-long success and learning.

San Domenico School students Abby and Elle (student body president and vice president, respectively) take viewers on a guided tour of San Domenico’s beautiful campus.

They talk about the Freshman Foundations program- an integrated humanities curriculum-  and provide insight in to the sharing of ideas fostered through use of a Harkness table.

Abby and Ellie give special attention to the Garden of Hope and its connection to the dining hall and sustainability lessons. The conversation throughout the tour is bound by a broadness of experience- the boarding-day student exchange, academics, music, art, and amazing people.

In schools around the country, green has joined red, yellow and blue as a primary color as people have become more active recyclers.

Implementing a recycling program to help green your school is easier than you think. Here are some easy steps to get started!

Get Everyone Involved

There’s a great chance that students and adults involved in your school community are interested in seeing your school become more green.

First, do some research regarding what recycling activities are already happening in your school. When I first began exploring my school community’s recycling activities, I discovered that paper, cardboard, cans and bottles, and food wrappers were regularly recycled. I wrote a list of staff members, parents and volunteers who had helped organize these efforts.

After taking my list to the principal, I received permission to form a group to implement more green activities. Where did I start? I began contacting the list of people who had already helped with past recycling efforts. Meet with these interested people first so you don’t have to work alone, and implement green changes as soon as you can. Word about your efforts will spread and more people will join you!

Simple Separation

I recently took a trip to downtown Seattle, and one of my first observations was their excellent recycling opportunities in public places. For example, in restaurants, there are separate bins for cans, bottles, paper, and plastic recycling along with a place to separate compostable leftovers from what ends up in the garbage.

One of simplest ways to begin recycling is offering separate bins in the cafeteria, staff room and classrooms for a variety of recyclable materials. Find large, durable bins and place them where food is consumed on campus. Clearly label them with what needs to go in each bin, along with pictures of products.

You may need to spend some time training your school population about this change. After meeting with the principal and staff members, try setting up one bin each week – start with aluminum cans or paper recycling. Hang out in the cafeteria by the bins and hand out small rewards for students you see using the bins, like pencils, stickers or temporary tattoos. Pretty soon, kids and staff members will automatically be using all of the bins you provide.

Terracycle Brigades

Terracycle is a wonderful organization that partners with schools to “upcycle” juice pouches and food wrappers. School and non-profit groups receive “cash for [their] trash” when they send in the required materials.

The great thing about this program is that it’s easy to get started. There are Terracycle Brigades, and you register for the one you want to focus on. One of the parents at our school started with collecting drink pouches from kids.

If you decide to participate in a brigade, you’ll need to provide incentives for kids to bring in what you’re collecting. Set up a system that works for you, like setting up a bin in the cafeteria specifically for drink pouches. Each week, give a small prize to students who bring in drink pouches in a Ziploc bag labeled with their names.

If you want to boost your collection, seek out businesses that may already be collecting the items you’re looking for. Our Terracycle parent found out that a local party place for kids was willing to donate juice pouches to our school as long as someone picked them up. That’s easy “cash for your trash”!

Cafeteria Worm Bin

Worms are effective, low-maintenance recyclers, and provide excellent real-life learning opportunities for students. Worms eat garbage; more accurately, worms eat natural waste, poop it out, and create an incredibly nutrient-rich soil to use in our gardens. Their needs are simple – air, darkness, warmth, a little water, and waste material – and easy to provide. They can be kept in a small bin, aquarium or box lined with heavy plastic that fits well in a classroom environment.

You can find more information about building and maintaining a worm bin at “Managing a Classroom Worm Bin.” For the cafeteria, start very small. Get one pound of worms and work with the cafeteria staff to set aside appropriate scraps for the bin. Once you feel comfortable with this project, you can enlist the help of a few older, responsible students to help.

Community Garden

But what can you do with all of that valuable worm poop? Use it in a School or Community Garden.

This sounds like a huge task, and I’m not going to lie to you – it is. It takes a committed group of staff members, parents, and volunteers as well as donations of materials from local companies.

If you’re not ready to jump into creating a garden, start with a simple compost pile. Use the food scraps from your school’s cafeteria and staff room that don’t go into the worm bin. A compost pile is easy to maintain – what goes in the pile is basically the same as what goes in a worm bin. And if you don’t have a garden yet for the compost you create, there are plenty of people who will gladly take it.

Helping to green your school may feel overwhelming, but be encouraged! Any change you implement will be well worth the time and effort required.

Photo: Some rights reserved by TheTruthAbout…

Tim Molak, Woodside Priory School Head, weaves Woodside’s connection to place throughout his campus tour with AdmissionsQuest’s Peter Baron. Woodside’s geography and physical plant help make Woodside an engaged and contemplative community.

Woodside’s five Benedictine values- hospitality, spirituality, individuality, community, and integrity- come to life through the school’s campus and programs.

Tour highlights include, Founders Hall, the Performing Arts Complex, Benedictine Square, and the Chapel.

The school gathers each Tuesday in the Chapel for an exploration of a life experience or lesson. Solar panel installations throughout campus and the Performing Arts Center’s living roof provide daily practice of the schools commitment to environmental stewardship.

The Performing Arts Center supports the participation of almost one-third of the student body. The fact that much of the faculty- boarding and day- makes the campus their home makes clear the importance and vibrancy of living and working together.

As Molak concludes, Woodside provides a great small-school community with unique attention paid to the mind, heart, and soul of each student.