I see a gold star in your future, Katerina...  Great information about a very interesting school!

Katerina - some of this is good - some REALLY bad and of course the thing that concerns me the most is exactly what they will be teaching the kids about man-made climate change (which of course does not exist). So let's look at the list.

• Rainwater harvesting - This is always a good thing.

• Low- maintenance polished concrete floors - I see injuries in this school's future

• "Light shelves" : these are installed outside of the windows and bounces sunlight into the rooms so you don't have to use the lights all the time. - Higher than normal electric bills. Directing sunlight INTO a building in Florida will not only increase light, but increase heat too.

• There is preferred parking for teachers with hybrids right in front of the school - This made my head explode! I could write ten pages on why.

• Classrooms are all made of recycled materials - Was this cheaper or did they just go ahead and spend taxpayer money without being concerned about the bill?

• Paint is all non toxic and hypoallergenic, so are the sealants and adhesives - Happy about this as long as it doesn't cost more taxpayer money

• The cleaning products are all natural and non toxic - Happy about this as long as it doesn't cost more taxpayer money

• A storm water retention pond on the environmental trails - cool

• Nature trails  cool

• Building materials were bought from regional suppliers to reduce energy in transportation  - this is good

• They preserved many of the trees during construction - no problem here. I hope they are far enough away from the buildings that they don't destroy them in the event of a hurricane and tree collapse

• Motion sensor controls to reduce lighting waste - I predict this will be removed within six months. The on/off stuff will drive everybody nuts - and the kids will love raising arms to turn lights on!

• Outdoor teaching areas - errrr this is Florida! When school starts in a couple of weeks it will be 93 outside! I must be missing something...

• Waterless urinals - This sounds truly disgusting. I'm sure it's not but I don't want to google it in case it is!!
• :)

Margaret- Thank you! Localism posts are begining to shine more around AR:)

Simon- What I really wanted to point out is this was not mandated to do by any bill or law. This is the result of free will of the parents, the university, the nature center which was already there and the parents in the community. I want people to know that we can do things that make sense in helping the environment by choice not mandate.

I know that global warming is a hoax-and I would never ever send any of my kids to a public school, period, end of story. I am an activist for homeschool.

I don't know enough about polished concrete except that we have a stamped concret driveway and we painted it with a non skid polish that works great.

Natural cleaners are actually less expensive. I am all about non toxic chemicals being used around children especially. The toxic fumes from cleaners in schools cause all kinds of breathing problems, asthma, allergies, and toxic systems which cause disease later in life. I do not allow any chemicals in my home. I use vinegar and baking soda, which are cheaper than any cleaner on the market.

Non toxic hypo allergenic paint is not cheaper. But I think that the price will come down as more people begin to buy it. But more than that, for the same reason I would never allow oil based paints in or around my home. They are very poisonous. They cause allergies and asthma. I would be willing to pay more for prevention than the expense of treating symptons.

I have read some about these waterless urinals. I think it sounds gross. I do not know a lot about them.

The outdoor teaching areas are mostly for spring, and winter programs. It is much cooler down here than in Orlando. We have the ocean breeze and we do a lot more out doors here from October to May.

I looked at the windows today and that description above does not really sound right and it is hard to explain. There is a barrier and the light reflects, I don't see this as becoming too hot. it is like a bouncing thing more, and there is an angle. I will do some more research about these. We have hurricane imact glass in our home.

Thanks for your thoughtful feedback.

I think this is great news that they are at least trying to improve!  I need to check and see if the new schools being built here are "green".

Pam- at least get the toxins out of the schools . Thank you for commenting.

Katerina - I have no problem with environmentally friendly actions. I just want to make sure they actually do some good and are not just bowing down at the altar of Al Gore (the hybrid car thing is a prime example of the latter). It was very informative though and I still don't want to know about the urinals!

Hi Katerina,  Did you do this for the Eco August Challenge?  This would be a good one.  We have some LEED  Certified schools here and the disciplinary actions are lower, mandated state test scores are higher...it's better all the way around.

Good Stuff!

oh, and the reason for the Hybrid cars, although disputed on how green they are, is so that there is a place to charge them I would assume. (since they get LEED credits for it) Not just to give them a better parking spot.  :) 

Let me know if you make this part of the contest...

Stephanie- I wrote a post about the wildlife center and Mary awarded me for sharing a great reason to live in Wellington. I don't know how to enter these two posts. Let me know.

Simon- I know you don't have a problem with it. And I certainly share many of the same concerns, especially the political ones and the far left anarchist type view points that command that we live the way they want us to live. I never did believe the hybrid was the answer and certainly thing that fuel cell is too expensive. As far as cars go, I have seen some amazingly awesome even race cars that are pure electric that can drive faster than a gas run car. The main thing is that we have choices and may choose the vehicles we want to drive because until Mercedes comes up with something better, I am NOT giving up my Mercedes:)

Simon- Let's face it, we are just in denial:) We are just upset that we did not think of all of this before Al Gore did so we could make the money instead of him, darn! :)

Katerina - someone said the hybrids are at the front so that they can plug in - on the community's dime? That doesn't seem right to me.

As for Al Gore, you are correct. I wrote a bog not that long ago calling him a genius and stating publicly that i wish I would have thought of it first. In the words of the man who created the weather channel - the greatest scam ever perpetrated on mankind. And Gore has made a fortune out of it.

I just love reading about this. Cutting edge ideas.

By the way, I see that you are in Florida, and so is our team. If you are ever seeking a team of realtors to handle one of your clients either in the GREAT TAMPA BAY AREA or ATLANTA, please keep us in mind. Take a look at the email we geneerally distribute to realtors regarding our referral business.

Best of luck to you.

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