Project

Summary

Progress/
Next Steps

Assessment

Conversion to use of “Green” cleaning products by maintenance staff

HP maintenance staff uses green, toxin-free, cleaning products exclusively in the school.

Implemented in 2007

Continued monitoring of product effectiveness; constant consideration for new, better products.

School-wide Recycling Program

All paper, plastic, aluminum, cardboard, and glass products are collected and recycled.

Implemented in 2007

Monitoring of how many recycling dumpsters filled per week/month.

Purchase and Use of E85 vehicles for traffic safety courses & district use

The district has purchased fuel-efficient  E85 vehicles to use in drivers ed. classes.  All future district vehicle purchases will be fuel-efficient vehicles.

Several E85 vehicles purchased in 2007.

Monitoring of fuel consumption & cost.

Biodiesel Laboratory Construction

A biodiesel production lab was designed and built in order to teach students about alternative energy production.  Waste vegetable oil from school cafeteria is recycled into biodiesel for school use.

Built in 2007; biodiesel production process will continue to be made more effective & efficient.

Currently, 50 gallons of waste vegetable oil are being collected & converted into biofuel each month.

Turtle/Butterfly Garden & Sanctuary Built

A large school courtyard will be planted with native plants to serve as garden for native turtles & butterflies.  Injured turtles will be nursed to health for release back into wild.

Planting and construction set to begin in Spring 2008

Overall garden health—monitoring number of butterflies, turtles, and plants.

Indoor Gardens Established for air cleaning

Plans have been developed to significantly increase the number of plants inside the building as a means of scrubbing the air.

Plans currently being developed; plants will be distributed beginning in Spring 2008.

Overall number of plants present throughout building; indoor air quality assessments tracked over time.

Anti-Idling Campaign

Actions taken to educate school community about harmful effects of idling an automobile.

Educational campaign being developed; anti-idling signs placed on school grounds.

Students will count number of cars idling at drop-off/pick-up times at school.

Reduction of plastic water bottle consumption

School is working on educational programs to reduce the number of plastic water bottles being sold at school.

Freshwater “taps” installed in Cafeteria Hall for Nalgene bottle fill-up (Winter 2008); Educational programs presented to students.

Students will monitor total number of water bottles sold each month.

Student Courtyard Redesign with Green Design Principles

The student courtyard is being redesigned to serve as a model of green design

Plans developed (Winter 2008) ; Construction to begin (Summer 2008)

Finished courtyard

AP Environmental Science courses established

In order to increase the amount of students taking environmental science courses, an AP section was offered.

Course began in fall 2007.

Currently there are 8 sections (160 students) taking Environmental Science courses.

EcoAdventure Courses Established

In order to teach students about diverse ecosystems and conservation efforts, EcoAdventure courses offered for students to travel to rainforests & fragile ecosystems in Central/South America

Courses have run periodically since 2002.

Number of students taking course.  Since 2002, 60 students have participated in this program.

Green School Initiative Established

GSI is a group of students & staff who meet on a regular basis to oversee environmental issues at HPHS.

Group established in 2007

Group has grown to over 50 members in one year.

Computer Energy Consumption Audit

Students have investigated how much energy computers use when left on; recommendations have been made to significantly reduce energy consumption.

Study initiated in Winter 2008; recommendations forthcoming.

Monitoring of Electrical consumption via monthly energy bills.

Green School Initiative Home Page