Date: June 1, 2005

Rochester’s “Green Schools” Hold Celebration of Energy-Saving Initiatives; Half of Energy Dollars Saved Is Returned to Schools

Rochester students will showcase the ways in which they have worked to save energy in their schools at a “Green Schools” year-end celebration on Thursday, June 2 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the City School District’s Central Office, 131 West Broad Street, in the third-floor conference room.

Nineteen Rochester schools operate “Green Schools” clubs which provide students with instructional materials and strategies related to energy conservation. Hands-on projects enhance students’ classroom instruction in science, math, and language arts and teach them to be responsible users and conservers of energy.

Engineers and other professionals volunteer to work with students in identifying energy-savings opportunities and in calculating the savings that result from their activities. Each club receives a rebate of 50% of those savings for use in further energy-education activities.

The presentation of rebate checks will be a part of the year-end celebration. The event will also include:

• An overview of energy conservation in Rochester schools.
  
• Presentations by the Green Schools clubs from Schools No. 12, No. 35, No. 41, and Jefferson High School.
  
• A presentation by representatives of the Alliance To Save Energy, the Washington, D.C.-based organization that sponsors the Green Schools program.
  
• An appearance by national energy conservation mascot, the Energy Hog.

In April, Rochester became first school district in New York State to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an “Energy Star Leader” based on its demonstration of continuous improvement in energy efficiency district-wide.  Rochester is also the first school system in New York State to provide students with hands-on experience in energy efficiency and conservation as part of its curriculum.