Projects for your School

Commute

Encourage Biking and Walking

Launch a walking group and organize a bike convoy so students can learn how to get to school safely and without pollution.

PROMOTE TRANSIT

Make school bus and transit maps and schedules available to students and parents in the Back-to-School packet and other mailings.

Building

AUDIT YOUR SCHOOL

Visit the Green Schools section of the SFUSD Sustainability website and check out the commute, building, and waste audits in the Green Team Guide.

REDUCE YOUR ENERGY USE

SFUSD's Shared Savings program pays your school to reduce its utility use. Have your principal email the Director of Sustainability, Nik Kaestner, to sign up and obtain a list of ideas and resources.

IMPROVE YOUR SCHOOL

Apply for PG&E Solar Schools & Bright Schools grants and receive a demonstration solar system or funding to make your school more efficient.

Cool the Earth

Cool the Earth is a K-8 school-to-home climate change program that educate students and their families about global warming and inspires them to take simple actions to reduce carbon emissions.

Waste

Food to Flowers! Lunchroom Composting

The SF Dep't of the Environment provides interactive presentations to teach students about the impact of their consumption choices and will help your school roll out a composting and recycling program.

REDUCE PAPER USE

Implement a school wide Paper Policy and download free paper-saving software from GreenPrint.

Eliminate Bottled Water

Switch from water jugs to a water filter and have students and staff fill up discounted, customized, reusable water bottles.

BRING A ZERO WASTE LUNCH

Have students bring reusable bottles and lunch bags/boxes. Or make it a fundraiser.

Schoolyard

Grow a Garden

The SF Green Schoolyard Alliance can provide a resource directory and funding ideas for your schoolyard greening project.

Plant Trees

Now you can easily raise funds for new trees by using your bond funding or directing parents and the community to the 2012 by 2012 website.

HARVEST STORMWATER

If you are interested in harvesting rainwater for new trees or a garden, contact Nik Kaestner, SFUSD Director of Sustainability.

Community

FOOD DAY!

A Food Day event could be as simple as organizing a cooking class or a vegetable-identification contest in your child's elementary school—or a healthy pot-luck dinner with friends. College students could organize forums that explore how our dietary choices impact the environment, the health of farm workers, and the treatment of animals. Health departments could kick off weight-loss campaigns. And city councils could hold hearings on how to lure supermarkets and farmers markets to underserved areas. Check out the site to link up with others in the area, and ideas for your site.

Green Your Events

Use the Stanford Green Event Planning Guide, available under "Green Schools" on the Sustainable SFUSD website, to green your school events.

Fund Your Green Projects

Check out the Grant Calendar (also on the Sustainable SFUSD website) for a list of funding opportunities.

WRITE AN ARTICLE

Include an update on your greening efforts in your school newsletter so your community is aware of your activities and you can reach out for support.

FORM A GREEN TEAM

If you are ready to take it up a notch, contact the SFUSD Director of Sustainability to form a District-sponsored Green Team and receive a stipend and start-up funding.