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Winona Senior High School

901 Gilmore Ave , Winona, MN 55987
Something Green

Winona Area Public Schools (WAPS) has made many changes at the organizational and individual level throughout the district. The new Winona Area Learning Center uses geo-thermal HVAC, light harvesting sensors that dim classroom lights when enough natural light is available, and other technology to reduce the school’s carbon footprint. WAPS is working with 14 other school districts to create a wind farm cooperative reducing carbon emissions and creating revenue for the schools. The Technology Department considers how to be “green” when incorporating new technology. Student computer labs are switching to thin client technology allowing four students to use one hard drive and cutting energy usage by 75%. Administrators, staff, and classroom teachers have set guidelines to improve indoor air quality. The district has used the EPA’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools (TfS) Program to reduce exposure to indoor environmental contaminants in our school buildings. Students in the Environmental Studies course have taken educational field trips and hikes to raise their own awareness. They have organized Earth Day activities to spread knowledge to their peers and teachers. The students have pushed for a farm-to-school initiative with the School Nutrition Director. They encourage increasing purchases of locally grown foods for the school breakfast and lunch programs.
Valerie Williams, valerie.williams@winona.k12.mn.us

Bike to School, Water to School

Transportation

Project Work Plan

Objective 1: Address the concerns of bicyclists to encourage more biking to school. Task A: Provide shelter from sun, rain, and snow for bikes while users are in school. Sub-task 1: Determine the number of rack spaces needed to meet demand Sub-task 2: Purchase materials and build the shelter
Time frame and Schedule: Building and Grounds staff will begin purchasing materials in June 2010 and complete construction of the shelter in July 2010 a total of about 4 weeks. During those 4 weeks, they will work about 20 hours per week, or a total of 80 hours, on the project.

June 2010 Progress on Task A: In April 2010, The Cutting Carbon team met with the owner of Pine Island Solar, Tom Thompson, to discuss installing solar panels on the bike shelter roof. After completing a shading analysis, Mr Thompson determined the location of the bike rack would provide enough sunlight to work. The energy created would not be enough to feedback tot eh grid but it would offset the school’s usage. The location’s high visibility and pedestrian traffic makes it a great place for education as well. Students would fundraise to purchase the solar panels. The Something Green group raised about $480 and raised interest in the project. The Student Council committed $500 at this time and an additional $1,500 in October 2010. Building and Grounds Director will contact Xcel Energy to discuss the idea and placement of a separate meter. He will inquire into rebates available for the solar panel purchase and installation. Incorporating the solar panels will delay the timeline for project completion. However, the opportunity for such an innovative educational tool is worth the wait.

Task B: Increase security in the bike storage area while users are in school. Sub-task 1: Purchase a security camera focused solely on the bike shelter. Sub-task 2: Install the camera and wire it into the current monitoring system.
Time frame and Schedule: The Information Systems Director will purchase supplies in June 2010. After construction of the shelter is complete, the camera will be installed and wires run by school staff in about 40 hours.

June 2010 Progress on Task B: A camera position has been determined however, installation will not go forward until the shelter is complete. Information Systems staff will ensure the angle and height provide adequate security.

Task C: Organize a campaign to notify students and staff of the upgrades to bike storage and the value in biking to school rather than driving. Sub-task 1: Develop marketing materials describing the construction plans. Sub-task 2: Post information in the school and release to media. Sub-task 3: After the shelter is complete, another campaign to announce the opening of the new bike storage, including information on the goal for carbon emission reduction from use of bikes and other benefits related to health and wellness.
Time frame and Schedule: The initial campaign will take place in May and June 2010. Students will spend about 10 hours in May completing the marketing campaign. In September 2010, students will develop a marketing plan for the beginning of the school year. They will spend 20 hours in September and October on marketing.

June 2010 Progress on Task C: Task C will begin when installation of bike shelter is complete.

Objective 2: Reduce carbon emissions by encouraging use of reusable water bottles. Task A: Make reusable water bottles available and reduce the dependence on non-reusable bottled water. Sub-task 1: Collect information about the amount of bottled water used and the availability of recycling containers at school events. Sub-task 2: Obtain estimates for cost of reusable water bottles. Sub-task 3: Schedule a meeting with the Activities Director and Booster Club President. Suggest an alternative of producing reusable water bottles with school logo. Sub-task 4: Create a promotional flyer to place in each water bottle describing the project and the carbon emissions reduced. Sub-task 5: Purchase water bottles to sell at school events and in the school store.
Time frame and Schedule: Students will collect information about bottled water use and cost of reusable bottles in May 2010. This task will take about 15 hours. Students will arrange the meeting to take place in June 2010. Preparation and the meeting will take about 4 hours. Students will create the promotional flyer and place it in the reusable bottles in August of 2010 for about 10 hours. Sales of the bottles will take place through out the school year September 2010 to June 2011. Bottles will be sold at concession stands, which will not require additional student time.

June 2010 Progress on Task A: Student members of Something Green designed a Winona Senior High School water bottle. They researched the cost and variety of bottles. A local vendor was chosen to produce the bottles, which were delivered in June. When school is back in session students will continue work on this task.

1. Increase the number of students and staff biking to Winona Senior High School by providing shelter and security for bikes.
2. Encourage use of reusable water bottles by designing bottles for Winona Senior High School students.

Winona Students Changing Student Behavior

Energy conservation

1. Project Title: Winona Senior High School Bike to School and Water to School
2. Project Description:
Winona Senior High School students are bringing environmental practices to school. With a new bike shelter and security camera, students and staff will bike to school more often saving many miles of carbon emissions. Students will challenge the school to reduce bottled water usage and switch to reusable water bottles to reduce carbon emissions from plastic production.

3. Grant Funds: $8,000.

Project Work Plan

Objective 1: Address the concerns of bicyclists to encourage more biking to school. Task A: Provide shelter from sun, rain, and snow for bikes while users are in school. Sub-task 1: Determine the number of rack spaces needed to meet demand Sub-task 2: Purchase materials and build the shelter
Time frame and Schedule: Building and Grounds staff will begin purchasing materials in June 2010 and complete construction of the shelter in July 2010 a total of about 4 weeks. During those 4 weeks, they will work about 20 hours per week, or a total of 80 hours, on the project.

June 2010 Progress on Task A: In April 2010, The Cutting Carbon team met with the owner of Pine Island Solar, Tom Thompson, to discuss installing solar panels on the bike shelter roof. After completing a shading analysis, Mr Thompson determined the location of the bike rack would provide enough sunlight to work. The energy created would offset the school’s usage. The location’s high visibility and pedestrian traffic makes it a great place for education as well. Students would fundraise to purchase the solar panels. The Something Green group raised about $480 and raised interest in the project. The Student Council committed $500 at this time and an additional $1,500 in October 2010. Building and Grounds Director will contact Xcel Energy to discuss the idea and placement of a separate meter. He will inquire into rebates available for the solar panel purchase and installation. Incorporating the solar panels will delay the timeline for project completion. However, the opportunity for such an innovative educational tool is worth the wait.

December 2010 Progress on Task A: In August, the school district applied for a Local Government Renewable Energy grant from the Minnesota Department of Energy Security. The grant would contribute $17,000 to the purchase of solar panels to install on the bike shelter. We are in the process of meeting all grant requirements and will receive the funding shortly. The purchase of solar panels will take place in January 2011. Construction of the bike shelter will begin as soon as the weather allows in March 2011. Students from the Something Green club will assist in developing educational materials to display at the bike shelter. They will also create materials to incorporate into curriculum at the high school.

Task B: Increase security in the bike storage area while users are in school. Sub-task 1: Purchase a security camera focused solely on the bike shelter. Sub-task 2: Install the camera and wire it into the current monitoring system.
Time frame and Schedule: The Information Systems Director will purchase supplies in June 2010. After construction of the shelter is complete, the camera will be installed and wires run by school staff in about 40 hours.

June 2010 Progress on Task B: A camera position has been determined however, installation will not go forward until the shelter is complete. Information Systems staff will ensure the angle and height provide adequate security.

December 2010 Progress on Task B: Installation is waiting on completion of the bike shelter.

Task C: Organize a campaign to notify students and staff of the upgrades to bike storage and the value in biking to school rather than driving. Sub-task 1: Develop marketing materials describing the construction plans. Sub-task 2: Post information in the school and release to media. Sub-task 3: After the shelter is complete, another campaign to announce the opening of the new bike storage, including information on the goal for carbon emission reduction from use of bikes and other benefits related to health and wellness.
Time frame and Schedule: The initial campaign will take place in May and June 2010. Students will spend about 10 hours in May completing the marketing campaign. In September 2010, students will develop a marketing plan for the beginning of the school year. They will spend 20 hours in September and October on marketing.

June 2010 Progress on Task C: Task C will begin when installation of bike shelter is complete.

December 2010 Progress on Task C: After winter break, Something Green club members will work with Student Council to create awareness of the project including the bike shelter and solar panels.

Objective 2: Reduce carbon emissions by encouraging use of reusable water bottles. Task A: Make reusable water bottles available and reduce the dependence on non-reusable bottled water. Sub-task 1: Collect information about the amount of bottled water used and the availability of recycling containers at school events. Sub-task 2: Obtain estimates for cost of reusable water bottles. Sub-task 3: Schedule a meeting with the Activities Director and Booster Club President. Suggest an alternative of producing reusable water bottles with school logo. Sub-task 4: Create a promotional flyer to place in each water bottle describing the project and the carbon emissions reduced. Sub-task 5: Purchase water bottles to sell at school events and in the school store.
Time frame and Schedule: Students will collect information about bottled water use and cost of reusable bottles in May 2010. This task will take about 15 hours. Students will arrange the meeting to take place in June 2010. Preparation and the meeting will take about 4 hours. Students will create the promotional flyer and place it in the reusable bottles in August of 2010 for about 10 hours. Sales of the bottles will take place through out the school year September 2010 to June 2011. Bottles will be sold at concession stands, which will not require additional student time.

June 2010 Progress on Task A: Student members of Something Green designed a Winona Senior High School water bottle. They researched the cost and variety of bottles. A local vendor was chosen to produce the bottles, which were delivered in June. When school is back in session students will continue work on this task.

December 2010 Progress on Task A: Students from Something Green are selling the new water bottles during school and after school. The Winona Senior High School administration will purchase and install a spout at two drinking fountains. The spout will allow water bottles to be filled with potable water faster than from the drinking fountain. Students and staff will have time to fill bottles between classes. The faster fill will increase the likelihood of using the bottles and drinking more water.