1A: Reducing or Eliminating Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

What we've done:

• Energy reduction plan

  • Lights out after hours

• Lighting Improvements

  • We've replaced a few out of date window units so that some of our windows are now free to let in more natural light! We've also replaced many lightbulbs, as they go out, with energy efficient light bulbs.

Our plan for what's next:

• Solar panels for the outdoor classroom.

1B: Improved Water Quality, Efficiency, and Conservation

What we've done:

• Improvement of water quality

  • New water fountain with filter and water bottle compatibility.

• Updated landscaping

  • We've planted flowers along high runoff areas to help soak up more water back into the water table.

Our plan for what's next:

• Updated landscaping

  • More plants in high runoff areas

• Rain gardens, wildlife habitats, etc.

  • We are raising money to buy water collection bins to use for our raised garden beds.

1C: Reduced Waste Production

What we've done:

• Recycling program

  • We've initiated a school-wide recycling program!

Our plan for what's next:

• Composting

  • We are raising money to install a compost center to convert school lunch scraps back into rich soil for our rich garden beds. We will also use some of the scraps as food for our chickens.

1D: Use of Alternative Transportation:

What we've done:

• A huge plus to being Virtual is that students don't have to be on campus frequently. Therefore we do not have a need for busses!

2A: Integrated School Environmental Health Program

What we've done:

• Campaign to reduce asthma triggers

  • as we've taken over the building we've replaced old and dirty air conditioner and heating units that are easier to clean.

• Lighting and acoustics in classrooms

  • We've incorporated light filters on the artificial lights to ease eye strain.

• Tobacco policies

  • We are a tobacco and vape-free premises

2B: Nutrition and Fitness

What we've done:

• School Counselor

  • We have a full time on site Counselor eager and ready to help students with their mental health needs.

• Staff fitness incentives

  • We started daily lunch break walks! A great way to step away from the screens and get some sunlight and fresh air as well as movement!

Our plan for what's next:

• Form to School, school gardens

  • We are raising money to build raised garden beds and a chicken coop for our outdoor classroom!

3A: Shared Responsibility for Environmental Learning

What we've done:

• School-wide emphasis

  • We started a school wide recycling program and are implementing environmental science lessons across multiple disciplines and grades.

• Professional Development

  • Two of our teachers were sent to the Environmental Educators of Alabama Association Conference to learn more about various lessons, topics, and how to become Green Ribbon certified.

• Meaningful Outdoor Learning Experiences

  • We've taken a few field trips to local areas to learn about how the Environment is being effected and how it affects us by visiting our local farms, farmers coops, and wildlife refuges.

Our plan for what's next:

• Materials and curriculum

  • We are curating content to cross all disciplines and grade levels from K - 12 including sciences, math, language, history, art, and engineering.

• Professional Development

  • The Green Ribbon Committee of our school holds biweekly PD for our staff with tips and tricks to incorporate Environmental Science into their lessons.

• Integrated Learning

  • We are building raised garden beds and a chicken coop where students will come in to get hands on learning with how things grow and how to take care of our planet. The older students will also help teach the younger students.

• Meaningful outdoor learning experiences

  • We are creating a long term plan for an outdoor classroom and future field trips and classes for students to get more in depth knowledge on the various Environmental Education topics that interest them.

3B: Ue of Environment to Develop STEM Content, Knowledge, and Thinking SKills

What we've done:

• AP/IB Environmental Science or related courses

  • We offer these classes!

Our plan for what's next:

• Environment as context for STEM

  • We are working on a summer STEM camp and STEM days for the next school year.

• Engineering to solve environmental problems

  • We are working on creating STEM days and projects for students for the. next school year.

3C: Development of Civic Knowledge and Skills

What we've done:

• Community projects

  • We are incorporating students into building our outdoor classroom.

• Partnerships

  • We have partnered with the Alabama Farmers' Coop!

Our plan for what's next:

• Partnerships

  • We are looking for additional partners to help with education and/or donations to improve our outdoor classroom.

• Green career and technology awareness

  • We are working on creating STEM days and projects for students for the. next school year.

• Demonstrating growth in critical behaviors and habits of mind.

  • We are looking out for habit changes when it comes to recycling in the building. We hope to instill this habit without having to remind students so it becomes instinctual.