DNRP > SWD > Education & Schools Assistance > Green Schools Program > How it Works

How it Works

Five Program Steps

1. Form a "Green Schools" team or committee

The Green Schools team works together to set goals, conserve resources and influence behavior changes throughout the school or district.

At individual schools, team members often include: the principal; custodian(s); teacher(s); and/or student body president or student leader(s) of the Environmental Club or Recycling Club. District team members often include: Maintenance Supervisor; Facilities Manager; Resource Conservation Manager; and/or Purchasing Manager.

2. Select Categories and Set Goals

Each participating school or school district, with assistance from King County:

• Selects two to four of the eight environmental categories, including Waste Reduction & Recycling (a required category).
• Sets measurable goals within each category.
• Determines specific strategies for reaching those goals.

Sign a Pledge Form The Bellevue High School members of Earthbound Environmental Club proudly hold up their pledge form.

3. Sign a Pledge Form

Each school or school district signs a pledge form that lists their selected categories and specific goals. See the completed pledge forms for the schools that participated during the 2002-2003 school year:

• Crestwood Elementary School (PDF, 104 K)
• Tolt Middle School (PDF, 107 K)
• Bellevue High School (PDF, 102 K)

4. Receive Assistance and Improve Conservation Practices

King County provides assistance to help each school or school district reach its goals. Assistance is tailored to the needs of each school or school district and may include:

• An assessment of current conservation practices
• Recommendations on goals and the strategies to meet those goals
• Hands-on help to implement the selected strategies
• Assistance with education and promotion within each school or school district
• Resource lists for grant funding, awards and additional assistance
• Help with tracking and measuring success
• Supplies and equipment (such as recycling containers and signs) to improve the school's environmental practices

5. Receive Recognition

Recognition Jackie Pendergrass (right), President of the Lake Washington School District, receives a Certificate of Recognition from Jeff Gaisford, Manager of the the King County Solid Waste Division's Recycling and Environmental Services Section, at the district's Nove. 5, 2007 school board meeting.

The types of recognition that are offered to every school and school district that improves its conservation practices include:

• A profile of the school and its successes on this Web site
• Media releases issued by King County
• Possibly other recognition venues of interest to the school or school district

See Green Schools in the News to read the press release that King County issued in June 2003 and various newspaper articles that featured the participating schools.

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