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APS: Natural & Renewable Resources

Weekly Newsletter: December 12th, 2016

APS: Natural &Renewable ResourcesWeekly Newsletter: December 12th, 2016
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What a year!

Well, another great semester is wrapping up and I'm happy to announce we had more schools participating in the Green Star Schools Program this semester than any other previous semester. Final numbers for the energy challenge won't be available until mid-January, but I'm confident to say that our students, staff, and HVAC teams are responsible for more than $50,000 in energy cost savings this semester!


Of that $50K, twenty percent will be awarded back to those schools that supported and promoted student-led efforts documented by the Green Star Playbook and Badging Guide as well as a demonstrated reduction in overall energy use during this semester.

HOWEVER, the competition is not over until December 31st and it's up to you all to keep the momentum going by reminding fellow teachers and staff to turn off and unplug for Winter Break STARTING THIS THURSDAY! The "OFF" switch is there for a reason!

No need to leave your mini-fridge plugged in over Break (who still uses a mini-fridge anyway? That is soooo 1993).


As always, thank you for sharing your time and talent with our students and without further adieu, here's a list of Green Star stats for 2016...


Looking forward to working with you all and going green in 2017!

Happy Holidays!

Julie

jenorth@aps.k12.co.us

ext. 28668

Mobile: 720-400-3148

$1 million dollars in avoided energy costs to date!

60,296 Pounds* of Food Recovered & Donated

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*Since July 2015, AWCPA has partnered with We Don't Waste to donate uneaten/unopened Breakfast in the Classroom Food to local shelters.
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All interested APS schools will be eligible to donate uneaten food to local shelters and food banks through a growing partnership with We Don't Waste in 2017!

$50,000 Awarded to Student Clubs (this year), but $100,000 to date!

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Peoria's ELD Class with Mrs. Macias earned $2,600 last semester
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East Middle School's Environment & Community Club earned $3,700 last semester
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Aurora Central's Environment Club earned $7,400 last semester

1,200 Change Makers (a.k.a student participants)

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Lyn Knoll's Environment Club
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Kenton's Green Team
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Vista Peak Preparatory's Environmental Club
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Peoria's ELD Class with Mrs. Macias
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Montview's 5th grade class
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East Middle School's Environment & Community Club
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Columbia's 8h grade PBL class
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Arkansas's Radical ROARing Recyclers
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Altura's 5th grade STEM class

1,013 TONS of recyclables diverted from the landfill

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Psssssssst!! Did you know milk cartons are recyclable?!

603 (at least) Light Switch Tags Created

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Studies have shown that upwards of 20% of energy savings in a building can result in changing occupant behavior. Student participation is key!
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508 Digital Badges Earned for Student-Led Efforts

30 School Gardens... and counting!

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Sixth Avenue Elementary's School Garden
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Peoria Elementary's (easily transportable & upcycled) School Garden
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North Middle School's Community Garden Program (this is the first school garden to cafeteria program in APS!)

8 Elementary Schools composting food waste

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Composting in the Cafeteria at Sable Elementary with Head Custodian, Sharon Morgan
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Sixth Avenue Elementary's Composting in the Cafeteria is no joke!
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Peoria Elementary students greet Mr. Knox with a smile while composting their food waste


All eight schools combined have composted 17,000 pounds of food waste.

3 Prestigious Awards Recognizing Our Student-Led Efforts & Achievements

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2016 Business Recognition Award for Sustainability from the City of Aurora
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2016 Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education's Innovative Program Award
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2016 Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment's Environmental Leadership Program - Bronze Achiever Award

2 Social Media Sites (we're waiting to hear from you!)

...and a partridge in a pear tree!

Event Information

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Spring Semester Kick Off Meeting & Awards Ceremony

Mt. Elbert Room

Come learn more about the Green Stars Program and how your school can earn cash incentives for green initiatives!

When?

Thursday, Jan 19, 2017, 04:00 PM

Where?

Professional Learning and Conference Center, East 1st Avenue, Aurora, CO, United States

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Coming to a school near you for 2017...

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Chickens and pollinator gardens?!

Funding is available for these comprehensive environmental education programs!

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Three-barrel waste management:

-Recycling

-Trash

-Composting

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A strategic partnership with the City of Aurora to roll out a city-wide Anti-Litter Campaign. Student groups will help design trash cans to be placed around the city to curb littering. Crawford Elementary will be the first pilot to participate this year!