Sunday, January 15, 2012

New York Schools To Watch: Green Schools Westchester

By Graciela Wynn


There are a few exceptional green schools Westchester, NY has to offer. These are considered to be very environmentally friendly learning institutions which go the extra mile to help their community. Since year 2004, several public (as well as private) institutions have adopted no-idling zones (which means that an automobile cannot pollute the air with fumes), are using plant-based cleaning products in the buildings, and have banned pesticides from the outside areas students utilize for playing.

Some educators have complained that students focusing on the environment is a waste of tax money, and a big distraction from their studies. President of the New York Taxpayer's Association, Jerry Cantrell, states that the funds are unnecessary expenses for public institutions facing budget cutbacks. On the contrary, some officials are convinced that teaching their students to care about and protect their environment is equally important to teaching ethics.

Students have taken pledges that the actions of the students will fall on the environment, whether they be good, nor bad. Students have even recommended that the administration and staff use a paperless attendance and data system to save the consumption of close to 800 sheets of paper per day.

Parents support the environmental movement because of health risk concerns. The New York City Council has cited many cases among asthma among younger children, and has banned people from idling their automobiles on the campuses for more than five minutes because of toxic chemicals and exhaust fumes.

Large suburban districts in Westchester have spent millions in the past two years installing solar panels on doors in several of its institutions, and intends to furnish many more before the end of 2012. District officials have compared the building's electricity bill before this action with the current expenses, and agree that the costs are much lower.

The U. S. Building Council is dedicated to granting certifications to institutions, including the green schools Westchester owns. The board has certified over 400 schools for approval. Universities do not participate in the environmental program, so this allows the council to certify more institutions. Classrooms are now being built with ventilation systems, automatic heating sensors, and natural lighting. green schools westchester




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