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  Pre-Summit Workshops - Monday, December 8

“I was excited to see the great interest in California’s green schools movement generated at the (2007 Green California Schools Summit) conference. The panel discussions our staff participated in, as well as the many discussions held by other state and national experts, provided attendees with important perspectives and lessons on green schools. We look forward to putting the ideas into practice as we build schools for the children of Los Angeles.”

– Guy Mehula, Chief Facilities Executive, Los Angeles Unified School District

The 2008 Green California Schools Summit’s Pre-Conference is an opportunity for full engagement and training in the most important aspects of green schools. An array of six-hour workshops will be offered on subjects from green building, green schools financing and other essential green schools topics.

Brand new this year, due to a high level of interest from teachers and other educators, a special emphasis on “Green Curriculum” has been added.

The goal of the pre-conference workshops is to provide in-depth, hands-on training for professionals committed to greening California’s K-12 school system. Each of the following sessions will be presented by a panel of experts with direct experience in implementing sustainable practices.

Make the most of your Summit experience with a complete day of training—then enjoy the rest of the conference with a solid foundation to build upon.

Teacher Training Institute: Green Curriculum Resources – Preparing Today’s Students for a Sustainable Tomorrow    Click here for details

Oriented to educators – teachers, curriculum supervisors, anyone interested in green curriculum. Spend a day immersed in education about sustainable practices, concepts, technologies – all of it directly addressing state standards in science, math, social sciences, language arts and technology. Return to your schools and classrooms with standards-based resources and strategies. These sessions will also offer overviews of the types of green-oriented curricula that are already out there, including successful case studies. Discover first-hand the importance of educating students about their environment and engaging them in school-wide sustainability efforts. Hear about the latest strategies for hands-on teaching, including ways to use your school building as a learning tool.

Following the morning keynote and general session, two specialized workshops are available.

Teacher Training Institute Workshop 1 –
Greening Your School's Curriculum Culture

Presented by leaders in the green schools movement, among the topics/activities covered are: Green Initiatives, Green Standards, Fundraising & Community Support, Strategies to Educate & Involve Students, Curriculum Resources and more.

Teacher Training Institute Workshop 2 –
For Career Technical Education (CTE) Teachers

Presented by leaders in Career Technical Education, among the topics/activities covered are: Understanding & Achieving "Green", Training CTE Educators, Knowledge of Green Building Systems, Techniques & Processes, CTE Teaching Models, Aligning with CA CTE Model Curriculum Standards and more.
 

[Note: Workshop 3 has been removed from the program]

Workshop 4: Collaborative for High Performance Schools

In 2008 CHPS has been busy developing an array of new tools for high performance schools. This workshop will cover the new 2009 Edition of the CHPS Criteria for New Construction and Modernizations, the new CHPS Criteria for Relocatables, and will give a preview to the CHPS Database for sourcing high performance school products, and the new Criteria for Performance and Operation of Existing Schools underway. The CHPS Criteria is a flexible rating system, and recognition program for high performance schools that was first developed in 2001. CHPS now has well over 300 projects underway using the tool.
 

Workshop 5: LEED for Schools

Leading architects and school administrators join representatives from the U.S. Green Building Council for a complete review of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Schools. The LEED system provides a framework for planning, constructing and ultimately certifying educational facilities. Learn the ins and outs of project management, including the important process of creating a design team.
 

Workshop 6: Paying for Your Green School

Go green on a budget. Learn about the latest rebates, incentives and funding options, including those outlined in California’s Proposition 1D. Find out how to analyze costs and apply for funds from those who have been through the process. Hear about the latest strategies and financial instruments, including power purchase agreements. Don’t let bottom line concerns stop you from achieving your school’s green goals; the business case for green schools is strong and the return on investment is shorter than you think.
 

Workshop 7: Sustainable Operations & Maintenance

Greening your school doesn’t end with a ribbon cutting. Sustainability requires constant attention to purchasing decisions and facilities maintenance. Learn about the latest strategies for environmentally preferable purchasing, green cleaning and systems optimization. Find out how to maximize energy efficiency through simple tune-ups or more comprehensive retrofitting projects. Reduce your impact and your costs with green O & M.
 

Workshop 8: Tools for Developing a Sustainability Plan

Wondering where to begin? Create a sustainability plan for your school or district. This workshop will teach you how to calculate baselines and measure success. You’ll learn what to include in your plan, from transportation to energy management. This session will provide more than just a check list, showing you how to communicate plans with board members, staff, students and parents, how to overcome obstacles and build coalitions.
 

Workshop 9: Cultivating a Healthy Learning Environment

Information accumulates almost daily about green schools and their direct impact on student success. Discover the latest information on the relationship between a school’s environment and the health and performance of its students and teachers. From indoor air quality and natural lighting, to school nutrition and exercise, this session will include detailed case studies demonstrating the clear connection between students’ and teachers’ wellbeing and their school environments. Attendees will come away information and tools that will help any school improve its learning environment.