Number of schools in the district: 40
Began Participating in the Green Schools Program: March 2008

Green School District, Level One, Level Two and Level Three: Achieved in 2013

Waste reduction and recycling (level one)

• As of May 2013, 31 schools in the Kent School District have completed Green Schools Program waste reduction and recycling criteria and have been recognized as Level One King County Green Schools.
• Kent School District is proactive about recycling. At least twice during the school year, district staff monitors monthly garbage and recycling volumes from each school facility. Per capita recycling rates and garbage volumes are calculated and reported to principles and custodians. As volumes change, district staff adjusts garbage and recycling collection services.
• In all school cafeterias, Kent School District minimized waste by replacing plastic-wrapped utensils and straws with individual selection of unwrapped utensils and straws using bulk dispensers.
• To reduce paper use, Kent School District adopted a double-sided photocopying and printing policy.  Instructions are located on all printers and photocopy machines to promote the policy and to aid staff.
• Kent School District has reduced its garbage volume  by more than 50 percent and increased its recycling volume in each facility by an average of 50 percent.
• Using the educational materials and instructional assemblies provided by King County, school staff and students are more environmentally conscious and are able to apply environmental stewardship principles outside the classroom.
• All computers in the district are reused, donated, or recycled. The district’s IT department has established a computer donation program called “Bridging the Gap.” When older but still functioning computers are replaced, the older computers are donated to eligible families in the community. This program connects families and students in the community to technology opportunities and keeps working computers out of the waste stream. All computer batteries and wiring are collected and recycled rather than disposed.

Energy conservation (level two)

• Kent School District makes sure all members of the school community are engaged in the conservation process by establishing energy conservation suggestion boxes in predominant areas of each school. Email and online recommendations also are encouraged.
• Outside lights are turned off during daylight hours. Kent School District established a policy to turn off or put to sleep all computer monitors, computer peripherals and other electronics when not in use.
• Incandescent bulbs have been replaced with fluorescent bulbs and tubes marked with the Energy Star label. Custodians place burned out fluorescent bulbs and tubes in the original shipping box and the full boxes are stored on pallets in the district warehouse. Twice each year the fluorescent tubes are removed and recycled by Ecolights Northwest.
• Vending machine lights are controlled by timers. The front display panels of vending machines are permanently turned off.
• Millennium Elementary School has set the standard for green building in the Kent School District. Millennium features energy efficient and automated HVAC (heating ventilation and air conditioning) systems using ground source heat and cooling, a roof top solar panel system, rain water capture system for irrigation, domestic water conservation features, pervious pavement, and a nature garden and path featuring a wet land habitat. As other school buildings are renovated and built in the district, environmentally and energy smart designs are used to minimize costs and environmental impact.

• Kent School District has reduced electricity and natural gas use over the past four years by installing energy management systems on 14 school HVAC systems, establishing district-wide building use standards for heating and cooling, and upgrading lighting systems.
• Kent School District established a partnership with Energy Education Incorporated. As part of this partnership, a new district-wide energy conservation program has been implemented that requires all schools and buildings in Kent School District to participate in the US EPA Energy Star energy use tracking system, routine building audits to verify building systems are shut down as scheduled, and conservation education of school staff.
• Natural gas use was reduced by 9.2 percent and electricity use was reduced by 8 percent in 2008-09. In 2009-10 natural gas use was reduced 8.8 percent and electricity use was reduced 2.6 percent. In 2010-11 natural gas use was reduced 3.9 percent and electricity use was reduced 8.8 percent. In 2011-12 natural gas use was reduced 5.0 percent and electricity use was reduced 7.0 percent.

Water conservation and pollution prevention (level three)

• Kent School District established a system to regularly check, report and correct water leaks, standing water or running water in places it should not be. To clean sidewalks and other outdoor areas on school grounds, brooms, rakes and leaf blowers are used instead of pressure washing or hoses.
• When new plants are added to the school ground, drought-tolerant species are chosen so that extra watering is not necessary during warmer months.
• Water is collected in rain barrels and captured water is used for school gardens/grounds.
• When new playfields are installed, the district adds at least six inches of top soil or compost to increase water holding capacity.
• Rain gardens and organic gardens have been established to conserve water.
• To reduce domestic water use, aerators have been placed on all sink faucets. For new sink installations, motions sensors are now the district standard.

Other conservation actions

• Kent School District’s indoor air quality (IAQ) management program has been in place for nine years. The indoor air quality program is designed to be responsive to occupant concerns with straightforward and easy steps to document concerns and a building inspection checklist for the head custodian to follow.
• The district’s IAQ management program is proactive in reducing asthma and allergy triggers by establishing classroom standards that eliminate clutter, dust, maintain cleanliness and promptly identify water intrusion. As a result, the IAQ management program received the EPA 2004 Excellence Award.
• Kent School District recently began collaboration with the Washington State Department of Agriculture to develop a Farm to School Program. New relationships between growers and vendors have emerged and the district has purchased produce grown in Washington and the Northwest in an effort to reduce environmental impacts associated with long-distance transportation.
• As of May 2013, there are seven elementary schools participating in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program sponsored by the National School Lunch Program. Kent School District has focused on purchasing as many local products as possible to serve the 4,000 plus students that benefit from this program.

Environmental education

• Environmental science courses are offered at the high school level and available to all students. Guest speakers, projects, labs and computer simulations are used to connect students to issues involving the environment, economy, and populations.
• Environmental science course topics include Sustainability, Biodiversity, and Climate Change. The goal of the environmental science courses is to inspire students to pursue careers that balance the needs of society and the environment.
• Each year, Kent elementary schools partner with the City of Kent Parks Department to assist with tree planting. Since 2000, elementary school students have helped plant over 24,000 native trees and shrubs in City of Kent parks.

Awards

• U.S. Green Ribbon School District award (2013).
  • One school district from each participating state is nominated to receive this award, and 2013 was the first year in which the U.S. Department of Agriculture included a school district category in its Green Ribbon award program.

King County Earth Heroes at School awards were received by the following schools and staff in the Kent School District from 2003 - 2013:

• Crestwood Elementary School (2003)
• Teacher Vince Howard, Kentridge High School (2004)
• Teacher Nancy Reidel, Kent Elementary School (2004)
• Teacher Stuart Steere, Lake Youngs Elementary School (2008)
• Teacher Wendy Shol, Crestwood Elementary School (2009)
• Teacher Dianne Thompson, Kent-Meridian High School (2010)
• Martin Sortun Elementary School  (2010)
• Kent-Meridian High School (2010 and 2011)
• Dianne Thompson’s Third Period Environmental Science Class (2011)
• Springbrook Elementary School, the Student Association of Vampire Elimination S.A.V.E. program (2011)
• Head custodian Ginger Ott and Scenic Hill Elementary School (2011)
• Mattson Middle School Support Center (2011)

Comments

"Kent School District is the fourth largest school district in the state; serving over 27,000 students and 2,100 employees. The King County Green Schools Program has successfully provided Kent School District comprehensive program support to standardize environmental awareness efforts throughout all schools and departments. As a result, Kent School District's carbon foot print has been reduced and environmental awareness of the students and staff has increased. Kent School District looks forward to many years of partnering with King County to maintain and raise environmental awareness."
– Beth Gilbertson, environmental services supervisor, Kent School District

For more information about the school’s conservation achievements and participation in the Green Schools Program, contact:

Beth Gilbertson, environmental services supervisor, Kent School District
beth.gilbertson@kent.k12.wa.us