Common Ground | Leading Green

LEADING GREEN

What will it take to create the nation's greenest high school? This year, Common Ground students are answering this question through an ambitious new project: Leading Green. Here's how it's working:

Step 1: Students write & receive a $100,000 grant to fuel their efforts

In the fall of 2009, students from Common Ground's environmental leadership team worked with Common Groundstaff to write a proposal to the State Farm Youth Advisory Board. These students solicited ideas from every student in the school, and then crafted a year-long plan for the initiative. Common Ground's proposal was rated and reviewed by the high school students involved on the State Farm Youth Advisory Board, and chosen from among over 600 applications nation-wide. In February, representatives from State Farm presented a check for nearly $100,000 to the students involved in the project. Then, the real work began ...

You can read articles about the grant in the New Haven Register and New Haven Independent, hear about the project on WNPR, or watch a video from WFSB News.

Step 2: Students develop over three dozen sustainability proposals

This spring, students from across the school developed proposals for how the State Farm support should be put to good use. A total of 38 proposals came from student in Common Ground's Sustainable Design course, in the Environmental Leaders team, guidance groups, and throughout the students body. Some designed systems for managing runoff and harvesting rainwater for use in Common Ground's gardens and buildings. Others proposed green makeovers of current buildings, Common Ground's waste management system, or energy sources. Still others created plans for new model sustainable buildings on Common Ground's site: additional classroom space, a multipurpose performance space, etc.

Check out a powerpoint presentation of students' proposals.

Step 3: At the Leading Green Fair, the community makes their picks

At the Leading Green Sustainability Fair, students shared their proposals for creating a greener school – compete for funding to put their ideas into action. More than three dozen concrete proposals were on display, and students were on hand to share their ideas with visitors. During the school day, every student and staff member had the chance to learn about student proposals, and to vote for the three they thought should be put into action. Then, in the evening, the fair was opened up to the larger community: architects, participants in Common Ground's community programs, our board of directors, reporters, and interested citizens.

See a video and article about the fair, or check out a slideshow from the event

Step 4: The winning ideas become part of our Master Plan

Throughout the year, a committee of students, staff, community members, and board members are working with professional architects and landscape architects to create a 20-year plan for Common Ground's site. Nearly half of those around the table are Common Ground students, and their voices are shaping the future of our school. This master planning team is working the Leading Green proposals into this 20-year plan -- with the top vote getters scheduled to be put into action this fall.

See a video, in which students describe the most recent work of the master planning committee.

Step 5: We get to work!

In fall 2010, students will participate in and follow the implementation of the selected projects. Through their classes and our Environmental Leaders team, they will document the project, provide direction and advice, and participate hands-on as much as possible. These students will also work with Common Ground’s community programs staff to develop educational materials that share these green practices with thousands of visitors to Common Ground’s site.

Stay tuned, and we will keep you posted on the results of Leading Green! If you have questions or comments, contact Rachel Gilroy -- the staff person who's working with the students in charge of Leading Green.


	Leading Green LEADING GREEN What will it take to create the nation's greenest high school? This year, Common Ground students are answering this question through an ambitious new project: Leading Green. Here's how it's working: Step 1: Students write & receive a $100,000 grant to fuel their efforts In the fall of 2009, students from Common Ground's environmental leadership team worked with Common Groundstaff to write a proposal to the State Farm Youth Advisory Board. These students solicited ideas from every student in the school, and then crafted a year-long plan for the initiative. Common Ground's proposal was rated and reviewed by the high school students involved on the State Farm Youth Advisory Board, and chosen from among over 600 applications nation-wide. In February, representatives from State Farm presented a check for nearly $100,000 to the students involved in the project. Then, the real work began ... You can read articles about the grant in the New Haven Register and New Haven Independent, hear about the project on WNPR, or watch a video from WFSB News. Step 2: Students develop over three dozen sustainability proposals This spring, students from across the school developed proposals for how the State Farm support should be put to good use. A total of 38 proposals came from student in Common Ground's Sustainable Design course, in the Environmental Leaders team, guidance groups, and throughout the students body. Some designed systems for managing runoff and harvesting rainwater for use in Common Ground's gardens and buildings. Others proposed green makeovers of current buildings, Common Ground's waste management system, or energy sources. Still others created plans for new model sustainable buildings on Common Ground's site: additional classroom space, a multipurpose performance space, etc. Check out a powerpoint presentation of students' proposals. Step 3: At the Leading Green Fair, the community makes their picks At the Leading Green Sustainability Fair, students shared their proposals for creating a greener school – compete for funding to put their ideas into action. More than three dozen concrete proposals were on display, and students were on hand to share their ideas with visitors. During the school day, every student and staff member had the chance to learn about student proposals, and to vote for the three they thought should be put into action. Then, in the evening, the fair was opened up to the larger community: architects, participants in Common Ground's community programs, our board of directors, reporters, and interested citizens. See a video and article about the fair, or check out a slideshow from the event Step 4: The winning ideas become part of our Master Plan Throughout the year, a committee of students, staff, community members, and board members are working with professional architects and landscape architects to create a 20-year plan for Common Ground's site. Nearly half of those around the table are Common Ground students, and their voices are shaping the future of our school. This master planning team is working the Leading Green proposals into this 20-year plan -- with the top vote getters scheduled to be put into action this fall. See a video, in which students describe the most recent work of the master planning committee. Step 5: We get to work! In fall 2010, students will participate in and follow the implementation of the selected projects. Through their classes and our Environmental Leaders team, they will document the project, provide direction and advice, and participate hands-on as much as possible. These students will also work with Common Ground’s community programs staff to develop educational materials that share these green practices with thousands of visitors to Common Ground’s site. *Stay tuned, and we will keep you posted on the results of Leading Green!* If you have questions or comments, contact Rachel Gilroy -- the staff person who's working with the students in charge of Leading Green.