Green Schools Offer Healthier Classrooms -- and Might Boost Test Scores

Continuing the theme through my research trying to find more information of green learning environments, I found this article which discusses the 'facts' behind some very real statistics of why it is important to embrace a green learning environment.

Here is a segment from the article:

"There's also evidence that green schools help educators teach and students learn. In a 2005 survey of executives that planned and built green K-12 schools, 71 percent said that students performed better and 72 percent said that there was less absenteeism compared to other schools. A report put out in October 2006 by the American Federation of Teachers and the US Green Building Council noted that Washington state saw absenteeism decrease by 15 percent in its first green school."

This was a very enlightening article. To read the complete article click here:

www.alternet.org

Thanks for reading ... have a wonderfully green day.

Namaste,
Karen

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Karen Kleinwort
Sponsor a Teacher Program
www.sponsorateacher.org

Green Classrooms To Go ...

Even though we as an organization are focusing on supporting teachers to embrace a green or eco-friendly learning environment for their students, we are finding through our research that the education system is also trying to embrace a green approach to building our schools.

Here an exert from an article that I found the other day ...

www.builderzone.com

Tricks of the green module trade
In general, modular buildings use the same materials and subscribe to the same building codes as site-built structures, the chief difference being that modules are assembled in a factory and shipped to the job site. For this reason, they can actually be greener than some site-built structures.

Modules are constructed much more quickly than site-built buildings, cutting on-site construction time by 60-70%, says Robert Kullman, chief corporate strategist at Kullman, a Lebanon, N.J., manufacturer of modular structures.

That results in much less site disturbance, site pollution, fuel needed to drive to and from the site, and water run-off from disturbed soil. Factory building also reduces waste by allowing for recycling of materials in the factory, says Tucker.

Remember we are looking for individuals to become apart of our community and board of directors. If you are interested, please contact us today!

Until next time ... have a beautiful green day!

Karen

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Karen Kleinwort
Sponsor a Teacher Program
www.sponsorateacher.org

Classrooms are going green ...

This the title of an article I found while doing some research of how plausible it is for Sponsor a Teacher to move in this direction and let's just say ... we are definitely now stepping in the right direction!

Samantha Cleaver wrote this article in the fall of 2007; here is the link:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0STR/is_3_117/ai_n21130753


What I really enjoyed about this article is Samantha highlights what a lot of people are just not wanting to admit and that is our children are spending a large amount of time indoors and the repurcussions of this trend.

Here is an exert from Samantha's article:

"Most other schools, Kuchinov admits, would never let her compost in her classroom, much less examine the waste on the floor. But Green Woods Charter, an environmental education school, uses the outdoors as a classroom, even bringing it indoors sometimes. Across the country, environmental education schools and the growing movement to get children outdoors are challenging the current "indoor generation" of kids. "The interest has never been greater," says Martin LeBlanc, Sierra Club national youth education director. "People have never been more aware of the fact that children are not getting involved with the outdoors." Even as No Child Left Behind decreases the time alloted for environmental education and field trips, research shows that children who spend time outdoors are healthier, happier, and smarter. With the global warming crisis looming, children who spend time outdoors may also be the ones who help save the planet."

Enjoy reading this and remember we are looking to expand our board of directors and really get this organization off the ground. Contact us today to lend your support.

Have an bright green day!

Karen

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Karen Kleinwort
Sponsor a Teacher Program
www.sponsorateacher.org
info@sponsorateacher.org

A green printer found ... an awesome resource

Doing a bit more research I was referred to a great organization here in Lake Oswego and wanted to share this resource with you ...

Bob Kincaid, Minuteman Press, Lake Oswego OR

Bob has taken his printing office to be completely environmently friendly and green. When I spoke to Bob a few weeks ago regarding Sponsor a Teacher Program, which by the way he is really excited about, he indicated their goal will be to have zero, yes that is correct zero landfill by the end of 2008.

I was taken aback by the idea a printing house, who I have now switched all of my Therapy in Transition printing over to and so will Sponsor a Teacher, could do such a feat but they have.

They do awesome work, are fairly priced and above all are completely green!

Have a wonderful and blooming day!

Karen

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Karen Kleinwort
Sponsor a Teacher Program
www.sponsorateacher.org

Research Mode ... learning never stops ... a resource to share

I found a great resource that I just had to share:

While at an accupuncture appointment a few weeks ago I picked up a great resource guide for the Portland / Vancouver area called ReDirect Guide; in Oregon & Washington living green made simple. The front cover states "Earth Economy Eqiuty Choice sustainable living business directory and resource guide."

It is a hefty guide with over 320 pages and it is FREE! I was amazed at how many organizations are moving to embrace the idea of sustainable approach to their business.

Finding this business directory within a few days after receiving the Costco Connection was like a sign from the Universe that definitely this is the direction for Sponsor a Teacher.

If you are interested in becoming an active and participative part of our board of directors please contact us at info@sponsorateacher.org.

Have a wonderful and blooming day!

Karen

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Karen Kleinwort
President

Sponsor a Teacher Program
www.sponsorateacher.org

Going Green ...

As a member of Costco my family recieves their monthly Costco Connection magazine; ironically the month I decide that Sponsor a Teacher Program is going to change it's focus to a narrow target of those teachers embracing a green learning environment - Costco focuses on Going Green in their July issue of the Connection.

It is really terrific article and focus on the small business and how they are embracing the idea of green and sustainability. Here is an exert from page 19 where the author, T. Foster Jones is focusing on what is the definition of 'green':

Similar to the ongoing quest to define what it means to be "organic," the current challenge is for everybody - consumers, environmentalists and teh government - to agree on criteria and then identify products and services that meet their criteria. Businesses need clarity as to what constitutes a level of green they can strive for and lay claim to, through an established and recongnized green certification program.

After reading just this section, Sponsor a Teacher Program will be taking note and adding to the agenda of the first board meeting to define for our teachers what a 'green learning environment' would constitute as well as what types of actions and experiences would be supported by our funding.

If anyone has any input on this idea please forward to us info@sponsorateacher.org. We would love to hear from you.

Remember we are wanting to expand our Board as well so if you are interested in offering your time, expertise and a few dollars we would love to have you!

Have a wonderful and blooming day.

Karen

--

Karen Kleinwort
President

Sponsor a Teacher Program
www.sponsorateacher.org

Reference:
Jones, T. Foster, The green in the machine, Costco Connection, July 2008, pg 18

New Social Networks and Marketing

This morning I sit and begin to ponder what I need to be working on. My 3 1/2 month old son is taking a nap; not sure for how long so I am getting in my blog posting while the getting is good.

I have been updating Twitter, FaceBook and LWL profiles most of the morning between feeding, changing and trying to grap a bit to eat myself all while giving my two dogs some much needed interaction as well as their own breakfast.

I found a few new social networks this morning through a connection I just made here through the Twitter listing for LWL members. While visiting Angelice Tyson's website Gemini Greetings I was able to link through to a few new sources of social networking geared towards moms and children.

The whole time I was thinking about Sponsor a Teacher Program and that these new social networks is where I need to be marketing this program and getting people to hopefully jump on board - literally take a board position in order to make this program really find its roots and begin to grow.

I decided that before doing any work for the program I need to have at least four other individuals commited to becoming board members and hold one board meeting before moving forward.

I have been wondering how I might be able to cross market the program while soliciting people for the board positions I need to fill. This will come I realize and my patience is once again being tested. I can't imagine between these outlets of social marketing I am not able to find at least four individuals who are passionate about our children's public school educational experience and embracing this learning environment to be a green one.

So I put it out there again to all who may be reading, following and just generally interested. Do have a three hours a month to commit to a board meeting? A network of donors who would be willing to donate funds to not only classrooms embracing or trying to embrace a green learning environment? A few extra dollars yourself to donate to the offsetting of overhead costs every year to get us started? I would love to hear from you. Contact me at info@sponsorateacher.org and let me know.

Thanks for reading! Until next time ... embrace your inner wisdom.

Karen

PS ... by the time I am now about to hit 'publish post' my two dogs have kissed my son enough to wake him up. Oh well ... at least I got my blogging done today.

--

Karen Kleinwort
Therapy in Transition LLC / Sponsor a Teacher Program Inc
www.therapyintransition.org / www.sponsorateacher.org
(877) 255-0761
info@therapyintransition.org / info@sponsorateacher.org

Sponsor a Teacher Revived!!!

I cannot express how excited I am. As most of you know I had made the decision four or five months ago to let go of the non-profit I started in 1998 as I could not get enough 'umph' behind it to really make it successful and I was running out of steam myself.

Well .... inspiration hit me last night and I am totally rejuvenated and over the moon at the possibilities for it. The best part is I don't have to worry about the change of focus affecting my designation as the focus is still the same ... supporting public school classrooms to improve the educational experience of the students ... but now it is embracing a 'green' perspective.

Sponsor a Teacher will be working with those classrooms who want to embrace a 'green' approach to their educational experience thus ensuring their students embrace an environmentally friendly learning experience and lifestyle.

I am not 100% sure how this is going to happen or unfold over the next few months but stayed tuned also ...

We are reviving our board of directors and need to find six amazing individuals who are a variety of backgrounds that would like to spend 2 - 3 hours a month at a meeting lending their time, expertise and financial support.

Your time would be the 2 - 3 hours at monthly board meetings and other communication between these meetings.

Your expertise would be in either Marketing, Public Relations, Legal, Financial, Education - K-8 or 9 - 12 teaching or administrative, and IT.

Your financial support would be to bring with you potential donors and donations to help cover the costs of administrative services and overhead fees such as web hosting, website design, marketing, and public relations costs.

Please contact me if you are interested in becoming an active and participative member of the board or would like to volunteer your time/services to help get this amazing program off the ground.

Have a wonderful and abundant 4th of July!

Namaste,
Karen

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Therapy in Transition LLC & Sponsor a Teacher Program Inc.
www.therapyintransition.org & www.sponsorateacher.org