Sustainability at PPS

At PPS, we have many new beginnings to celebrate this year:

• PPS board of education passed a landmark Climate Action Plan, the Climate Crisis Response Policy, which calls on the district to be net-zero emissions by 2040 and to ensure staff and students learn about and engage in climate solutions, climate resiliency, and climate justice;
• Hired a Climate Justice Advisor to oversee the implementation of the climate policy;
• Conducted a first-ever PPS carbon audit, giving us a baseline to measure future progress against, and which will be released publicly in the next few months;

• Continued building a new chapter for PPS high schools -- opened another beautifully modernized high school, Lincoln (you can read more about that below), started construction on Benson, continued work on a community-driven design process on Jefferson, and began planning for the design of Ida B. Wells and Cleveland.

Are you looking for sustainable ways to kick-off your new year? We've got you covered in this New Years newsletter! Along with school sustainability stories, resources, and upcoming events, like the City of Portland Fix-it-Fair.

Want to peek at all our school stories from the past year? Check out all the 2022 newsletter editions here.

Here's to a green 2023.

In September, students at Lincoln walked into their brand new, LEED Gold certified school, a beautiful 6-story crimson building on the corner of SW 18th and Salmon.

The PPS Sustainability team biked there last month to check out all the incredible green features:

• a living roof, which keeps the building insulated from heat and cold and reduces energy usage;
• extensive natural lighting through large windows in classrooms and common areas heats up spaces in the winter and decreases reliance on electrical lighting;
• a solar array on the roof generates nearly 300KW of power;
• radiant heating in the floor of the main commons area provides high efficient heating;
• extensive stormwater catchment areas surrounding the building provide green landscaping and help rain runoff filter into natural reservoirs and out of sewers;
• the giant, ancient trees on the corner of 14th and Salmon, which were there when yours truly was a Lincoln student, were left untouched and intact.

PPS has now completed modernizations at seven schools, including Faubion, Kellogg, McDaniel, Franklin, Grant, Roosevelt. Benson is under construction; Jefferson is in the community design phase; and initial planning for Cleveland and Wells is underway. These modernized buildings are all part of PPS' plan to be more energy efficient and produce more on-site solar energy.

To learn more about Lincoln and all the PPS school modernizations, check out the PPS modernizations page.

In November, Cully neighborhood members showed up at their neighborhood school, in partnership with the Arbor Lodge Tree Team to help care for the trees at the Rigler Elementary School Arboretum.

Volunteers spent the day hanging out, learning about trees, and, of course, spreading MULCH!

The Rigler Arboretum serves as a learning landscape for students and a gathering and walking space for the school and its neighbors. Portland Parks worked alongside school staff and community members to design and plant the arboretum in 2005. Over the years, the arboretum has expanded from 33 trees to more than 80, most of which are labeled with a sign naming the species and documenting the tree's history. It complements a beautiful, adjacent school garden full of vegetables and flowers that help nourish the community.

Thanks to EVERYONE across Portland Public Schools who comes out, whether paid or volunteer, to care for our acres and acres of green spaces. Your care and commitment sustains greenery that helps our students and city thrive.

Over the next six months, Portlanders will have multiple opportunities to have a say in the development of Portland's first-ever Climate Investment Plan. This plan will inform how millions of dollars for climate work is allocated across the city -- how it prioritizes communities of color, green spaces, solar energy, and much more.

And we feel strongly that students should have a say!

If you are a student or you teach a class of students who you think might want to give input on this plan, we encourage you to do so. Make a video; send a poster; attend a public meeting as a class.

Check out the PCEF website for a whole lot of details about how to participate, and see below for details on a workshop they're hosting later this month.

This Spring, the PPS office of Climate Justice and the office of Energy and Sustainability are hosting a student climate fair. The fair will bring together students, community climate organizations, and green businesses and partners for a day of learning, resource sharing, and connecting. Students will have opportunities to build project or internship proposals with participating organizations, Oregon Green Schools will host an in-person student voices panel, and PPS staff will provide updates on the state of the PPS Climate Action Policy.

We are currently looking for organizations and businesses that would like to table at the event or students or classes that wish to host "peer educational tables" to present on projects they have worked on. If you are interested, please email sustainability@pps.net.

Exact date and location TBD.

If you’re still looking for your new year’s resolution, look no further than this list made by the Center for EcoTechnology! They’ve compiled 10 tangible resolutions that can make your day-to-day life more sustainable and potentially save you money. Their resolution ideas include action items like eliminating vampire energy in your home and using eco-friendly cleaning products.

These resolutions can be done at home, at school, or at the office. Pick one, or do them ALL!

Looking to stop drafts and air leaks in your home this winter? Utilize products that have minimal levels of water vapor absorption, such as foam tape and rope caulk. Even plastic bags can be a good option to fill air leaks! On the other hand, avoid using materials that can absorb water easily, like cloth, as that can lead to mold growth in your home. If you want to learn more great DIY winter weatherization tips like this, check out the Community Energy Project!

Community Energy Project empowers people to maintain healthier, more livable homes by providing free workshops, materials, and resources that build awareness and help families manage their energy costs, home comfort, and health. Their next DIY winter weatherization workshops are happening January 12, 14, and 26! You can register for these upcoming workshops by clicking here.

The City of Portland is hosting a fix-it fair at PPS' George Middle School!

Bring clothing items and small appliances for repair, and learn directly from experts and knowledgeable community members on topics from utility bills and home comfort, financial wellness, personal health, community involvement, transportation for families, repair/borrow/share, gardening tips, social justice, and so much more. Plus there's free lunch!

Visit City of Portland online for more information including workshop schedules.

When: January 28, 2023, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Where: George Middle School, 10000 N Burr Ave, Portland, OR 97203

The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability is hosting multiple Climate Investment Plan (CIP) workshops this month! You will have the opportunity to share insights about what your community needs to be climate resilient, and ideas on how Portland can use the CIP as a framework to achieve greenhouse gas reductions alongside community benefits that advance racial and social justice. Your participation is critical in ensuring the CIP is centered on equity and grounded in community priorities.

Click here to see all the workshop options, both online and in-person, including the first workshop, in-person, on Jan. 28. This event is family-friendly, and food and drinks will be provided.

When: Saturday, January 28, 10 am - 2 pm

Where: 3612 SE 82nd Avenue #Spot 7 Portland, OR 97266

PlanetCon: A Free Recycling, Reuse and Sustainability Fair is coming up in January! Shop or donate to the Really, Really Free Table for next year’s winter holiday décor, sign up to get something fixed at the PlanetCon Repair Fair, and drop off items for recycling or proper disposal. Learn more about important topics to boost your knowledge, such waste reduction and the Master Recyclers program! To find out more info about this fair, check out the PlanetCon website here.

When: January 14, 11 am - 2 am

Where: PCC Rock Creek campus at 17705 NW Springville Rd, Portland, OR 97229, parking lot E and building 9

Join Solar Oregon to see the only carbon neutral apartment complex in Portland! Enjoy getting an inside look at this sustainable and innovative building. Snacks will be provided. For more details, click here.

When: Wednesday, January 11, 6 pm - 7:30 pm

Where: 16111 E Burnside Street Portland, OR 97233

Metro is offering funding for clean up efforts around the region and schools are eligible. The funds are accessed with a super easy form, and schools can request up to $5,000 for clean up efforts like graffiti removal and trash pick up.

If you want to learn more, shoot us an email and we would be happy to help you make this happen! Sustainability@pps.net.