~ RI Sustainable Schools Summit ~
September 24th, 2009 ~ 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

URI Shepard Building, 80 Washington St., Providence

Calling all School Board Officials, Facilities Managers, Superintendents, Principals, Teachers, Parents, Students, Green Teams, and Community Members:

The 2nd annual Rhode Island Sustainable Schools Summit is a FREE all-day event geared toward education professionals, parents and students. With sponsorship from National Grid, the Rhode Island Department of Education, and the University of Rhode Island, the summit will cover a wide range of topics, from Energy Efficiency and Conservation to Whole School Learning Environments.

Agenda:

8:00 – 8:30        Registration & Coffee

8:30 – 8:35        Welcome & Introduction 
Bradley Grove Hyson, Executive Director, The Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living

8:35 – 9:00        Opening Remarks
David Abbott, Deputy Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education

9:00 – 9:15        Principles of Sustainability
Joe da Silva, Coordinator of School Construction, RI Department of Education

9:15 – 10:00      Opening Panel: The State of RI School Sustainability      
School Communities throughout the state are making significant strides toward sustainability! These panelists, from School Committees and Superintendents right down to the students, will share perspectives and insights about how we can continue efforts to make every school in Rhode Island a safer, healthier and more sustainable community for all of its members.

10:00 – 10:15    Break
Open Exhibition Time

10:15 - 10:45     Going Green from Start to Finish
William York, Director of Sustainable Schools Network, The Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living

10:45 – 12:00    Workshops: Building Blocks of Sustainable Schools

• Green Teams that Work
• Smaller Footprints = Big Saving$
• Tools for Schools: Indoor/Outdoor Air Quality
• From the Custodian’s Closet to the Classroom: Green Cleaning & Toxic Free Environments
• Nutrition, Food and Farm to School
• Environmental Literacy and Nature Deficit Disorder: The RI ELP and No Child Left Inside
• Growing the Green Curriculum

12:00 – 1:00      Networking Lunch
Then & Now: Severn Suzuki
Open Exhibition Time

1:00 – 2:30        Best Practices Showcase
Find out what individual schools are doing to become more “green.” The Best Practices Showcase will feature schools from all parts of the state where students and teachers have joined hands to make positive change in their school and community. After a brief presentation, individuals from those schools, including students, will have separate break-out space where attendees, in a lively, interactive venue, can learn more about initiatives underway challenges and successes, essential lessons and next steps.

2:30 – 3:00        Closing Remarks
Invitation to join Sustainable Schools Network
Announce Raffle Winners

3:30 – 4:30        Green School Building Tour: Nathan Bishop Middle School

5:30 – 8:00        Evolution Forum at the Apeiron Institute: Students Connecting for Community Change