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APS: Natural & Renewable Resources

Weekly Newsletter: October 10th, 2016

APS: Natural &Renewable ResourcesWeekly Newsletter: October 10th, 2016
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Wasted energy costs more than money!

Hi all,

Hope Fall Break is off to a wonderful start with some much needed R&R for our teachers and staff!


Just a friendly reminder to unplug, turn off, and power down any unnecessary electric devices or personal appliances. No need to keep that mini fridge plugged in over break!


On another note, there is some exciting news to share this week! The Green Star Schools Program was awarded the Bronze Achiever Award from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Environmental Leadership Program (see photo below).


Please give yourself a pat on the back! All of our efforts by students and staff have added up to some surprising metrics, including more than $500,000 in energy cost avoidance and more than 50,000 pounds of food waste diverted from the landfill through the Composting in the Cafeteria Program since January 2016.


Congratulations to all students and participating Green Star Schools! Can't wait to see where we go next!

Here's to another week of project based learning, environmental education, and going green at Aurora Public Schools!

Julie North

Natural & Renewable Resources Coordinator

Aurora Public Schools

jenorth@aps.k12.co.us

ext. 28668

Mobile: 720-400-3148

At the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Environmental Leadership Program's Award Ceremony at the McNichol's Building in Denver October 5th, 2016.

From left Mark Davis (M&O Director), Craig Wright (Energy Manager), Virginia Till (EPA), Julie North (Natural & Renewable Resources Coordinator), Lynette Myers (Program Manager for CDPHE)

Follow us on Twitter @apsgreenstars
For up to date news and to share any ideas, comments, suggestions, etc. It'd be great to hear from you!
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Building Opportunities

The students at Arkansas Elementary participated in the Global Cardboard Challenge last week. The Challenge gives children an opportunity to collaborate, learn, and build the things they imagine through a simple process called Creative Play. The Challenge lets children explore their interests and passions; teaches critical thinking, resourcefulness, perseverance, teamwork, and other 21st Century skills.
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It took quite a bit of cardboard to get some of these ideas off the ground. Thanks to the Warehouse, M&O, and Arkansas families for donating cardboard for this program! The kids had a great time!
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More than 1 million students across the globe participated in the Cardboard Challenge this year. Arkansas used more than seven tons of cardboard (all of which was recycled by Alpine Waste after the challenge took place).

Green Stars Playbook & Badging Guide for all grades

Here are this year’s links to the Green Star Playbook & Badging Guide broken down by grade levels:

· ENTRY: P-2nd

· ACCESS: 3rd- 5th

· EXPLORE: 6th-8th

· PREPARE: 9th-12th

· Comprehensive P-12th

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Spring 2016 - Energy Challenge Competition Winners

Top conservers for Elementary, Middle, and High School:


Peoria $2,556!

East Middle (2nd year in a row) $3,699!

Aurora Central $7,354!



Runner ups:

Crawford $293

Elkhart $288

Fulton $226

Lyn Knoll $389

Sixth Avenue $745

Virginia Court $236

Wheeling $248

AWCPA $588

Vista Peak P8 $383

Energy Conservation needs everyone to participate!! Request a handy dandy flowchart of "Procedures for Temperature Monitoring" for your school today!

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wastED 1.0

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycling is only the beginning!

More than 80% of our district's trash is FOOD WASTE.

New for 2016-2017 is the Composting in the Cafeteria Program and an innovative partnership with We Don't Waste for schools to donate uneaten/unopened food to benefit shelters and food banks.


Interested in becoming a participant in one or both programs? AND badging your students for their efforts and project based learning opportunities?!

Email Julie at jenorth@aps.k12.co.us


See some place based learning programs at Aurora West and how the students took it upon themselves to find a solution:

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SUS.TAIN' A. BIL' I. TY

"Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." -United Nations 1987



  • How do you define sustainability? In your school? In your community?
  • What do your students think?
  • How have you built this idea of sustainability into your school culture?
  • Share your thoughts on Twitter @apsgreenstars

"Sustainability is the mother of all collaboration." - Miriam Turner