Montessori isn’t simply academics, it’s a way of life. Children in
Montessori learn more than just math and reading -- they learn how to take
care of themselves, each other, and their environment. In addition to
keeping the classroom clean and caring for our plants and animals,
children in our new “green” facility are taught the importance of caring
for the larger environment – our planet Earth.
Our building, built according to U. S. Green Building Council standards
for LEED certification, helps children learn how to efficiently use
precious resources, such as electricity and water. These special features
of our building help protect the environment:
- “No-mow” grass. Our grass is a special seed that grows so
slowly, it only needs cutting once a year – and never needs to be
watered. This saves water and reduces the fumes (and noise!) from
lawnmowers.
- Water-efficient bathrooms. Our dual-flush toilets and
sensor-controlled faucets means we only use water we absolutely need –
nothing is “wasted.”
- White roof. It’s not just a color preference – our white roof
reflects excess heat, reducing the “heat island” effect that warms the
atmosphere around
school.
- We use the rain! Rain barrels around the school collect rain
water that the children use to water the outdoor garden – each classroom
has one!
- Solatube Natural Daylighting fixtures. These special fixtures
reduce the use of electricity by providing natural light to the
classrooms. The children are aware of when lights are not needed. In
addition, all lights are set on automatic sensors so that they turn off
when no one is in the
room.
- Ample insulation. Glass and masonry provide lots of
insulation so we can keep the heat turned low and still stay warm.
- Energy recovery ventilators. These allow fresh air to be
brought into the building while recovering up to 88% of the energy in
the “old” air before it is exhausted to the outside.
- Sensor-controlled heating and cooling systems. Both our
heat and air conditioning systems automatically sense when rooms are
vacant and adjust the temperature accordingly.
- Recyling – of course! We recycled 85% of the waste from our
building’s construction – and recycle paper, glass, and plastic
throughout the school.
