OVERVIEW
Green Building Initiative Goals, Mandates, and Strategies: An overview to what a green building initiative is, key mandates, and strategies to support a green building initiative.
ALL INITIATIVE PLANS
Sustainable Campus and Operations Plan (SCOP): This is an example of a Sustainable Campus and Operations Plan (SCOP), which is a comprehensive overview to all green facilities initiatives. Green Buildings is part of the Campus section, and is part of the condensed SCOP in Appendix A.
TEMPLATE: Blank Outlined SCOP
EXAMPLE for SCOP in an Awards Program Context: SMCOE Green Ribbon Awards Program Summary
PRESENTATION
TEMPLATE Presentation for Green School Buildings: This is a presentation template from the Center for Green Schools could be delivered to a district leadership team or school board to introduce a green buildings project.
AUDIT
SMCOE Whole School Sustainability Audit - This entry-level baseline assessment is designed for project managers to synthesize current efforts in campus, curriculum, and community engagement related to construction, operations, and maintenance.
RESOLUTION
Board Resolution: Many communities have passed environmental sustainability and Climate Change Action board resolutions. In these resolutions, green building principles are frequently referenced as part of the broader commitment.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Local Award Programs
SMCOE Sustainable and Climate Resilient Schools Challenge - Possible Financial Award!
SMCOOS Green Star Schools
Statewide Award Programs
Green Ribbon (ED-GRS & CA-GRS): Pillar 2 - Element IIA is on Environmental Health
CA Green Business Award: Use Non-toxic Cleaners & Recycle Materials Sections
The resources below have been curated to provide SMC Schools a well-researched starting point for leading projects related to green building design principles and indoor environmental quality.
SMCOE's Pandemic Recovery Framework: Healthy Cleaning Companion Document: SMCOE curated the resources provided to schools during COVID-19 on cleaning. Many of these principles will apply to school programs for years to come as schools adapt to health precautions.
The agencies below are the leaders in providing green cleaning guidance for schools:
Green Seal: Use their directory to search for cleaners institutional settings, and utilize their school road. Green Seal applies their standards to certify your school. Their standards cover cleaning, food packaging, construction/renovation, and more.
U.S. EPA: The EPA has resources for creating an environmentally preferable purchasing guide on cleaners and other hazardous materials used in schools. EPA has a set of standards called Safer Choice for cleaners and disinfectants.
Healthy Schools Network: Have great resources to start specific initiatives related to cleaning or chemicals in schools (example: fragrance free policy)
US Green Building Council: Find fact sheets here covering electronic air cleaners and disinfectants used in schools to counter airborne pathogens.
Facilities Master Planning & Bonds: Before beginning major building projects school districts will make a Facilities Master Plan. Often school districts will also raise funds through a community bond measure. Utilize these resources to learn more about what the current status of facilities planning is in San Mateo County Schools:
The agencies below are the leaders in providing guidance to schools on green building in construction & renovations:
Center for Green Schools: Use their resources to connect to LEED building standards and how they apply to school programs. Center for Green Schools is a partner organization of the U.S. Green Building Council.
Collaborative for High Performing Schools (CHPS): CHPS has resources and standards schools can adopt for construction and renovation projects.