To evaluate the current state of our school systems sustainability by analyzing the effectiveness of our energy management plan and environmental stewardship through education.
In June 2008, the Harford County Board of Education reaffirmed their commitment to becoming a more environmentally friendly and sustainable organization with their approval of our Energy Management Plan. This Plan provides a framework toward our goal.
The purposes of this policy are to establish Board goals and objectives relating to energy conservation and environmental stewardship; to facilitate responsible conservation practices; to emphasize environmental education curriculum; to allow Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) to comply with current and future regulations relating to energy management and conservation; to establish practices that will be applied to all aspects of HCPS operation to include but not limited to Operations and Facilities Management, Transportation, Planning and Construction, Purchasing, and School Based Decisions.
Utilize the minimum amount of energy.
Explore and implement energy conservation programs.
Utilize technology to monitor energy usage.
Explore the use of renewable energy sources in both new and existing facilities.
Utilize alternative funding approaches to leverage implementation of renewable energy, conservation, recycling projects through partnerships with private organizations and other creative funding strategies.
Partner with other government institutions in energy and environmental stewardship programs.
The purpose of these procedures are to establish administrative regulations which implement the Board of Education Energy Policy and establish specific criteria and requirements relating to energy use, conservation, and sustainability at all levels of HCPS operations.
Andrew Cassilly Asst. Supervisor of Energy Management, Facilities Mgmt.
Environmental services department tests and monitors the well water for all of the schools on well water.
Custodial services department utilizes a green cleaning program.
Automated Building Systems manages the climate control systems in the school buildings to reduce heating and cooling during unpopulated times.
Automated lighting sensors have been installed in several of our schools to reduce lighting of unpopulated areas.
All of our kitchens and cafeterias practice single stream recycling.
Our kitchens serve daily student lunches on solid surface reusable trays and utensils to avoid the use of Styrofoam and reduce landfill waste.
Purchasing Agents work with suppliers to provide products that are environmentally sensitive and meet standards established by agencies such as Green Seal, CRI Green Label, Eco Logo Environmental Choice, Energy Star, and many others.
Attention is given to reduced packaging and purchasing products in bulk or concentrate.
We use the U.S. Communities Office Supply contract awarded to Office Depot. A list of environmentally friendly products is listed in their Green Book.
When Requests for Proposals (RFP) are issued, proposers are asked to submit a Sustainability Statement which indicates their corporate commitment to sustainable business practices.
Single stream recycling has been incorporated into the refuse disposal contract.
Automated power off all computers at 9:00 P.M.
Consolidation of servers to save on energy, maintenance and replacement costs.
Virtualization of servers to save on energy, maintenance and replacement costs.
Replacement of CRT monitors with more energy efficient LCD units.
Replacement of legacy servers with newer energy efficient models.
Consolidation of bus routes to minimize trip distance.
“No Idling” procedures requiring that vehicles be turned off during extended stopping periods.
Driver training for energy conscious driving techniques.
Traveling? Find the air quality.
Do you know what is in the plastic you use to drink or eat from?
Code 3: PVC (polyvinyl chloride) Found in bibs, mattress covers, squeeze bottles, cling wrap, some peanut butter jars, and a few other food and detergent containers. The manufacture of PVC releases dioxin into the environment, a potent carcinogen that accumulates in animals and in us. It may also contain phthalates, chemicals used, among other things, to soften plastics. PVC workers have higher cancer rates. May be discarded at the recycling plant. AVOID #3!
Code 6: PS (polystyrene) Found in rigid plastics such as opaque plastic spoons and forks, and in Styrofoam, such as those found in coffee cups and meat trays. These plastics can leach styrene, a known neurotoxin with other negative health effects. AVOID #6.
Code 7: Other (including polycarbonate, nylon, and acrylic). This is a grab bag symbol. It includes polycarbonate, an important source of the endocrine disruptor BPA, and found in most baby bottles. Polycarbonate is also common in 5-gallon water bottles, sports bottles, clear plastic cutlery, and in the lining of food and formula cans. AVOID # 7, unless it is labeled as one of these new bio-based plastics.
How has Earth Day Evolved?
Teachers! Have your students conduct an energy audit at your school.
The Tools for Schools Program is intended to assist the teachers, students, and staff in monitoring and maintaining a healthy learning environment to work and learn in.
For more information on the Tools for Schools Program, follow this link http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/.
Click on the name of the form which you desire to complete.
Complete the form with Adobe Reader by clicking on the boxes and filling out all of the desired fields.
Click on the “SUBMIT” button at the bottom of the last page to submit the document you just completed.
Have the first circle checked in the window that pops up after, and click “Continue”.
Click “Send” on the outlook page in order to send a copy of the file to Cynthia Yost.