Organizations, volunteers team to give Phoenix school a green makeover
With BC-CNS-School Greening-Box
Photos Available (thumbnails, captions below)
By STEVEN FALKENHAGEN
Cronkite News Service
PHOENIX (Friday, Feb. 6) _ In the computer lab at William R. Sullivan Elementary School, Joy Louis reached under a bank of computers to turn on a “smart” power strip that will shut off electricity when the desktops aren’t in use.
In another classroom, Doug Northway installed fluorescent bulbs designed to use up to 30 percent less energy than those he was replacing.
The roof sported new solar panels. In the courtyard below, students used crayons and markers to create drawings with their visions of sustainability.
On Friday, the nonprofit environmental-awareness group Earth Day Network, supported by volunteers from the University of Phoenix, put the finishing touches on a green makeover at the school.
The event was part of the Washington, D.C.-based Earth Day Network’s Green Schools Campaign, which has a goal of making all U.S. schools more sustainable.
“Going green is taking a holistic approach to education because education in the 21st century has to adopt sustainability measures,” said Sean S. Miller, Earth Day Network’s director of education.
“It’s not just about saving emissions,” said Miller, who helped install the new lighting. “We’re saving the school money, and we’re also teaching about it.”
The University of Phoenix Foundation made the makeover possible through a $50,000 grant to Earth Day Network, which put out word that it was looking to green a school in the Phoenix area.
Music teacher Nicole Navratil sent an e-mail suggesting William R. Sullivan Elementary, located a few miles west of downtown Phoenix.
“We’ve got so many teachers that are so dedicated, and the kids are so fantastic and work so hard and deserve more opportunities than they are given right now,” she said while helping install new power strips.
Part of the money went toward nine solar panels that Miller said would save the school $120,000 on utilities and reduce carbon emissions by 166,000 pounds over the 30 years they will be under warranty.
New landscaping at the school’s entrance features desert plants and gravel instead of grass.
For the next year, Valley environmental consultant and artist Joan Baron will help the school integrate sustainability into the curriculum.
Volunteers completed the makeover Friday morning. Among them: Joy Louis, a University of Phoenix academic counselor who said her experience as a substitute teacher compelled her to volunteer.
“I’m interested in going green because it makes the Earth healthier and makes us healthier,” Louis said.
The school had an afternoon Earth Fair at which companies provided exhibits informing students about sustainability. Students also drew pictures depicting sustainability, featuring trees, flowers, the planet and more. Baron will paint several of them on walls outside the school’s entrance.
“I’m excited about seeing all the plants grow and seeing all the volunteers help our school,” said Viviona Felix, a seventh-grader.
“I believe it’s important because it can save our Earth and save all our animals that are going extinguished,” said Crissol Zavala, who also is in seventh grade. “The energy is very important so we can save money for our school.”
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Web Links:
_ Earth Day Network: www.earthday.net
_ University of Phoenix: www.phoenix.edu
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PHOTOS: Click thumbnails to see full-resolution images and download; caption information is in the file under File>File Info.
CAPTION FOR BC-CNS-SCHOOL GREENING: Doug Northway, an academic counselor at the University of Phoenix, installs energy-efficient fluorescent lighting Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, at the William R. Sullivan Elementary School in Phoenix during a Greening America’s Schools makeover. Volunteers installed also solar panels and desert vegetation to make the school sustainable. (Cronkite News Service Photo/Steven Falkenhagen)
CAPTION FOR BC-CNS-SCHOOL GREENING: Crissol Zavala (left) and Viviona Felix, seventh-graders at William R. Sullivan Elementary School in Phoenix, presented morning announcements about a Greening America’s Schools makeover the school received Friday, Feb. 6, 2009. Students designed an eco-mural while volunteers installed also solar panels and desert vegetation to make the school sustainable. (Cronkite News Service Photo/Steven Falkenhagen)
CAPTION FOR BC-CNS-SCHOOL GREENING: As part of a Greening America’s Schools makeover, William R. Sullivan Elementary School in Phoenix received water-saving desert landsaping. Volunteers converged on the school Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, to install energy-efficient lighting and finish installation of solar panels and other improvements designed to make the school more sustainable. (Cronkite News Service Photo/Steven Falkenhagen)