“Green” is the buzzword in Springfield these days, as city leaders call for “green” jobs, support “green” policies, and scramble for “green,” well, green, in the form of grants for environmentally sound projects.
Those efforts, inevitably, come with varying degrees of political posturing. But not so for one group of future leaders in Springfield: a group of ninth graders at the well-regarded Springfield Renaissance School, who next week will present their “Greenprint 2010” to Mayor Domenic Sarno.
The report comes after months of study and hands-on research in the kids’ environmental science course, and will include students’ ideas to “help Springfield become a more sustainable city and help lower its carbon footprint,” according to an announcement from the school. It includes results of energy audits conducted by the students at four of the city’s elementary schools, and suggestions for conserving energy at the schools.
“This project not only helps save money, but it will also help Springfield be a healthier city,” said student Mercedes Brown. “This is a great start to help our city and our environment.”
“This report allows for a dialogue to be started between current decision makers and those who will be inheriting the city in the years to come,” their teacher, Aurora Kushner, said in the announcement. “It has allowed for kids to take their in-depth learning on energy, greenhouse gases and global climate change and apply it to a local, real-world situation. This report is the culmination of the students synthesizing their own learning and realizing that what they learn in school is really connected to what is going on in our community.”
The mayor and other city officials will hear the presentation at the school auditorium on Tuesday, March 9, at 12:30 p.m. For more information,contact the school at 413-750-2929.
