| Green Initiatives |
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JDS is proud of its Green Initiatives and is constantly working to make our campus even more environmentally responsible. Performing mitzvahs (or religious obligations) is a component of our school’s mission and going green helps us fulfill the mitzvot of Ba’al Tashkit (do not destroy) and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). JDS has also been named a Level 2 King County Green School and is now working toward Level 3. Read about our progress here. Team Yerukim - This year, our student-led green team has been expanded to include 2nd through 8th grade students who work to encourage recycling, promote environmental awareness and spearhead new environmental initiatives on campus. The team helps fellow students sort food waste during lunch, encourages campus recycling, has launched a No-Idling Campaign for the school parking lot and promotes a Zero Trash Week during the school year. In spring of 2011, the team was named a recipient of the "Earth Hero at School" award for their work creating a Green Report Card evaluating student's efforts toward waste-free lunches. Their projects for 2011-2012 are:
The JDS Garden - JDS students maintain a campus garden which includes a worm bin and compost container providing an outdoor science lab for students. Lunchroom vegetable waste is separated for the worm bin and different grades work in the garden as part of their science units. Campus & Community Green Activities - Lunchroom food waste is sorted into a compost container and the campus has eliminated the sale of water in plastic bottles and encourages staff to provide their own cups/mugs rather than stock disposable cups. EcoConnections, a King County Solid Waste Management educational program, visits JDS to teach students about biodiversity, consumer waste reduction, ecosystem management and more. JDS students work on various environmental projects locally including the removal of non-native plants and clearing trails in local parks. We have collection bins on campus for electronics recycling as well as clothes collections which are donated to local charities. JDS has moved toward more electronic communications for our families in an effort to save paper. We have a Green Purchasing Policy which guides our purchasing decisions. Our water and room temperatures are monitored to ensure we're saving energy where possible. Each day at 10:00am, representatives from each grade and department, deliver their waste containers to the front of the BAH to be sorted into the proper receptacles - trash, recycling and compost. Each grade checks in once their waste containers have been properly emptied. Middle School Environmental Summit - In January, JDS 6th-8th Graders will spend an afternoon learning about various environmental work and what they can do personally to commit to 'being green' during our annual Environmental Summit. Speakers, workshops and hands-on activities provide wonderful environmental learning opportunities. Greenstein Athletic Center - The 12,000 square foot Greenstein Athletic Center features numerous green design elements. State of the art energy modeling software was used to develop a natural ventilation system for the main gym along with hydronic radiators and ventilators. They included high levels of insulation and natural lighting from skylights which illuminate the gym during most of the school day. The facility includes low VOC interior finishes which preserve the air quality and reduce eye or respiratory infections from exposure. Durable exterior materials, including concrete block and metal siding and roofing, were selected to keep maintenance requirements to a minimum. Green Tips/Resources:
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