The Lincoln Log

NEWSOM continued from front page

useful supplies, and leadership. Without the city to help the schools out, the food and conservations would be impossible.

Greening schools will start with the change form T12 light bulbs to T8. This change will help save money and scale the energy being used. The concrete pavement at most schools will be converted to small gardens for students to explore the natural world.

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) will provide healthier lunches for school by providing a salad bar and other optional commendations. There will be programs that educate students about garbage, litter, recycling, and composting. All this work will take time, and without the help of the city and other organizations SFUSD could not achieve what they have.

The city is funding $17 million to ‘green’ the school yards. Department of Children Youth and Their Families (DCYF) have funded a $1 million project to provide service learning courses to students. The city has partnered with PVC to work on water supplies and conserving as much water as possible. With all these new changes to the city, students will expect new changes in school programs too.

As Superintendent Joe Carlos Garcia has said, “There is no 21st Century education without talking about the environment… The environment is tied down in all subjects in school.”

Providing these programs, will bring families and children to be more aware of what they can do in their community to preserve the environment.

Not only does it give students new prospective in their community and how much they can help, but it also assures them that their world in school, at home, and outside will be affected by the environmental changes.

You cannot talk about students without talking about MUNI. Nearly 75% of students in San Francisco ride MUNI and it is their transportation to school and home. Part of the city’s plan is to improve and help make MUNI run more effectively. This will represent how Newsom believes in the importance of a connective bond between schools, the community and the city.

Director of Sustainability, Nik Kaestner was given task to develop an Environmental Master Plan for the school district and work closely with the city departments to help SFUSD become more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Before the plan was called for, there was a discussion of what needed to be improved in school and the city which was then pitched to various people working for the city.

As the plan was released, more organizations and environmentalists decided they should help contribute to the idea by brainstorming other initiatives.

With the help of many organizations, Mayor Gavin Newsom has concocted a plan to help ‘Green’ the city and schools. Going green will affect changes to students, parents, teachers and the city. Students will be more aware of the situations and learn how to prevent the situations from becoming worse.

There will be programs designed to support teachers, empower students, restore the environment, and enlighten students about garbage, litter, recycling, and compost.

Students can now be a part of a youth advisor board, where student can sit down together and discuss the need for improvements within the city and give their thoughts about going green. There isn’t anything to lose in ‘going green,’ so give it a try!