Powell Valley Grade School
Gresham, Oregon
Initially
certified as a Premier Oregon Green School in 2001, Powell Valley Grade
School has now been re-certified twice at that level. Its resource conservation
performance has been consistently amazing -- and it STILL continues to
improve! Despite larger student and staff numbers and an increase in building
use
by outside community groups over the past few years, the school’s
garbage generation has remained at a low 4 cubic yards/week, and their
usage of water, natural gas and electricity have all decreased.
Eye-catching hallway bulletin board broadcasts
earth-friendly messages
all year long!
Here is a sampling of the many activities from the resource conservation
program at Powell Valley:
- 4th grade students pick up recycling school-wide; all rooms participate;
team up with 2nd grade student “trainees” (promotes sustainability
of the program)
- Extensive education accompanies recycling program
- 3rd grade emphasis on environmental topics
- Weekly recycling awards at all-school assemblies
- “
Positive Behavior Support” program reinforces environmental
practices
- Classroom light monitors
- Native fish tank on site
- School-wide “GREEN DAY” observed
each fall to jump start the year off right
- Student environmental articles published in parent
newsletter
- Community businesses contribute printer cartridges
for recycling
- Annual waste audits performed by student teams
with results posted on hallway bulletin boards
- PTC supports and participates in recycling
and reuse efforts
- Building energy usage monitored by computer
program
- Use green seal cleaning products which
are ordered in bulk
- EPA Energy Star certified for past two
years
- Waste reduction information shared
with three other schools (i.e. student
pen
pals) in
2007
- Head custodians exchanged bulletin
board materials which described
recycling and
conservation efforts at each
school
- Student presentation to local Kiwanis
club, promoting community participation
in recycling
efforts
- Community wetlands restoration
efforts by students during
Earth week
- Presentation to School Board
following the OGS Summit
- Sharing at District Resource
Conservation Committee
meetings
- PBS documentary about the
District’s Energy
Star program
- Recognition by The Green
Guide magazine as one
of the top
20 environmentally
conscious schools in the
nation
Earth Day re-use art projects
For further information about Powell Valley, check out the
Sample Premier Application!
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