[CharterSchools] Sci High helps launch Louisiana Green Schools Challenge

[charterschools at LACharter.org]

SCI HIGH HELPS LAUNCH LOUISIANA GREEN SCHOOLS CHALLENGE


NEW ORLEANS, LA ---August 28, 2014 – TheU.S. Green Building Council’s Louisiana Chapter kicked off the 2014 Green Schools Challenge, aprogram that encourages students across the state to develop sustainabilityprojects for their schools in the name of friendly competition. About 40people gathered - USGBC Louisiana staff and volunteers, students and public -at a press conference Monday to officially launch this year’s programand honor last year’s second place winner, the New Orleans Charter Science andMathematics High School (Sci High).
 
“We wrote letters to our principals saying that wewere concerned about the school’s bad habits,” said senior Celeste Cuellar. “Wedidn’t like that we were using the Styrofoam in the cafeteria, and we needed togo on a greener path. They listened to us.”
 





IsabelleMoonshine said the students worked to get the solar panels on the roof hookedup and 
maderecycling more of a routine. “It used to be a big hassle,” she said. 
 
Sci High was one of the 40 schools involved inthe Challenge last year, turning their Styrofoam problem into a project.With the help of their teacher, Jason Denlinger, and Facilities Manager AnthonyCrim, the “Venture Crew” wrote a grant for a dishwasher, purchased reusabledishware, and reduced the kitchen waste by 60 percent. They otherwiseencouraged their fellow students to recycle and reuse, and theiraccomplishments earned them second place in the statewide competition, as wellas a $1,000 check for their school. 
 
“Our mentor, Liz Shephard of LifeCity, guided us –she came every month and said that our goal should be zero waste,” Crim said.“The kids saw that we cared… They showed usthat turning on the solar system, putting [waste] in the right place, andturning out the lights actually makes a difference.”  
 






Celeste Cuellar said the “Venture Crew” helped the school to break its“bad habits” and get on a “greener path.”
 
The Green Schools Challenge engaged 7,000students in 13 parishes around the state, said Chapter Coordinator JolieLemoine. Schools took on projects to do energy audits and water conservationplans (11); recycling and composting programs (15); school gardens (11); andraingardens and outdoor classrooms (12). They raised the funds for theprojects and worked with local businesses that could help them fulfill theirgoals. 
 





Sci High’s Venture Crew accepts the second place award for last year’sGreen Schools Challenge 
from Co-Principal Chana Benenson, USGBC Louisiana’s Jolie Lemoine, andEntergy’s Christine Jordan (from far right).
 
“Participating schools are connected with localgreen professionals from their community,” Lemoine said, referring to the 37mentors who came from a variety of sustainability professions and donated theirtime to assist the students in their endeavors. Christine Jordan, Entergy’shead of Corporate Social Responsibility, announced at the event that theutility will be supporting the Challenge again in its second year, with a$13,000 contribution. In partnership with USGBC Louisiana, Entergy alsosupplied the solar panels on the school’s roof as part of the New Orleans SolarSchools Initiative (NOSSI) that supplied systems for five (5) schools in 2009.
 
USGBC Louisiana is seeking schools interested inparticipating and mentors to assist with the Challenge. Mentors shouldbring some expertise in an environmental or sustainability field, and theability to contribute volunteer time to the project. Mentors will be pairedwith schools that are interested in projects that relate to the mentors’expertise. For more information visit the Green Schools Challenge page on theChapter’s website: www.usgbclouisiana.org. Deadline for Schools and Mentors to registeris Friday, September 12.
 


The USGreen Building Council, Louisiana Chapter (USGBC Louisiana) is a 501 (c)(3)organization, whose mission is to transform the way buildings and communitiesare designed, built and operated, to be more energy efficient and costeffective. We create healthier places to live, work, and learn througheducation, advocacy, and community outreach.








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