Currently in its fourth year, Green Building United’s Pathways to Green Schools Program provides grants, one-on-one support and expert resources to K-12 schools in Delaware that are committed to becoming healthier, more sustainable and more energy-efficient. We sat down with Meg Kane-Smith, Social Justice and World Religions teacher and Chair of the Pathways Program Green Committee at Ursuline Academy, to discuss how this program has positively impacted her school.
How did you become involved with the Pathways to Green Schools Program and Green Building United?
MKS: Our former principal brought the program to my attention in September 2016. She knew I was interested in sustainability and environmental efforts and asked me to chair the Green Committee.
What is the Green Committee and what does your role as committee chair entail?
MKS: The Green Committee is a group of students who meet monthly to discuss two specific areas of sustainability – consumption and waste, and energy savings. Students have recently been focused on recycling efforts and exploring different ways to conserve energy, including turning off lights when they are not in use. Since lighting is the largest factor in school utility bills, we have seen a significant reduction in energy consumption as well as lower energy bills.
Another focus for the committee has been securing grants. Last year the committee focused on installing water bottle refilling stations throughout the school. The students partook in researching items such as cost and helped identify locations where these stations should be installed. Green Building United helped connect us with St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, who suggested a supplier of water bottle refilling stations. Students knew these stations would be impactful since many students are athletes who want to refill their water bottles throughout the day.
Have you noticed a change in student attitudes towards sustainability since becoming part of this program?
MKS: We have noticed a big difference in recycling among students. Everyone is now very focused on making sure their waste goes into the appropriate bin. The different receptacles are well marked, making it easy for students to recycle.
At an overall level, students know more about energy consumption and savings techniques. They notice when there is enough sunlight coming in through the windows and when to turn the lights off. The students have really made a strong effort to ensure they keep the school green.
Do you have any exciting upcoming initiatives?
MKS: Our recent focus has been LED lighting. We have been working to replace T8 bulbs with LED lights throughout the campus. We are currently renovating the inside of an old convent on our campus that will serve as a new student life center. Green Building United helped with our energy audit by providing practical energy savings solutions. They also connected us with people who helped us coordinate green solutions for the new building.
How has Green Building United’s involvement helped you?
MKS: We wouldn’t be able to accomplish everything we have done without Green Building United. They have been such a wonderful support system for us throughout this process.
About Meg Kane-Smith
Meg has been teaching at Ursuline Academy for the past 20 years. During her tenure, she has taught Social Justice and World Religions. She has always been very interested in environmental issues as they fit in with social justice. Meg has also served as a coordinator for the service program at Ursuline Academy.