Green Schools Technical Assistance

Building modernization can help make your school a model of sustainability and reduce resource consumption. From energy efficiency upgrades and appliance electrification to enhancing indoor air quality there are many ways to make school facilities healthier and more green. 

Consultative Services and Partners:

• District-Wide Sustainability Committees: The ELSI team helps develop and maintain district-wide committees that focus on integrating sustainability into the campus, curriculum, community, and culture of each school community.
• Green Ribbon Schools Award: ELSI offers introductory and customized technical assistance for the CA Green Ribbon Program including project management and application review. 
• Climate Action Plans: Climate action plans (CAPs) are detailed strategies for tracking and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• The Center for Green Schools: The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council is a global leader in advancing green schools and providing the resources needed to create sustainable, healthy, resilient, and equitable learning environments. They are driving the green school movement by working directly with those implementing sustainability within school systems and offering a wide array of initiatives that accelerate action.
• Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE): PCE is the community-led electricity provider for San Mateo County. They provide clean electricity at lower prices and invest proceeds back into the community. As one of California’s Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) organizations, PCE has the flexibility and local control to use innovative options in purchasing and generating electricity for residents and businesses. PCE’s goals include continuing to provide energy that is 100% carbon-free and that will be 100% renewable by 2025.
• SMCOE's Director of Sustainable Construction and Facilities: Ron Soper provides leadership and support to school communities to integrate environmental sustainability and climate-ready efforts across a school’s campus facilities and operations. Ron advises on construction management for Local Education Agencies and supports them in developing and updating local Facilities Master Plans with a focus on environmental stewardship. For questions or service requests direct them to rpsoper@smcoe.org.

Elevate your school's commitment to sustainability with eco-conscious transportation solutions such as fleet electrification, installing EV chargers, or promoting alternative transportation. 

Consultative Services and Partners:

• District-Wide Sustainability Committees: The ELSI team helps develop and maintain district-wide committees that focus on integrating sustainability into the campus, curriculum, community, and culture of each school community.
• City/County Association for Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG): C/CAG deals with issues that affect the quality of life in general; transportation, air quality, stormwater runoff, hazardous waste, solid waste and recycling, and more. C/CAG is eager to engage with schools to address all of these issues as they occur on campuses and disrupt student health and learning.
• SMCOE Safe Routes to School: This program encourages and enables school children to walk and bicycle to school by implementing projects and activities that improve the health, well-being, and safety of children, which result in less traffic congestion and emissions caused by school-related travel.
• Commute.org: Their mission is to reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by commuters to decrease congestion, improve the environment, and enhance quality of life. Commute.org is a joint powers agency (JPA) located in San Mateo County, California. The JPA is comprised of 19 cities and towns as well as the County of San Mateo.
• San Mateo County Office of Sustainability: OOS has programs for students, teachers, administrators, and facilities managers. Their resources and services fall within the areas of waste reduction, energy and water conservation, watershed and coastal protection, and alternative transportation.

There are many practical solutions for sustainable water management on school campuses. Focus areas include water efficiency, quality, and flood prevention.

Consultative Services and Partners:  

• District-Wide Sustainability Committees: The ELSI team helps develop and maintain district-wide committees that focus on integrating sustainability into the campus, curriculum, community, and culture of each school community.
• Green Ribbon Schools Award: ELSI offers introductory and customized technical assistance for the CA Green Ribbon Program including project management and application review. 
• Flows to Bay (C/CAG Stormwater Pollution Prevention): Water pollution degrades surface waters, making them unsafe for drinking, fishing, swimming, and other activities. The San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program (Flows To Bay), was established in 1990 to reduce the pollution carried by stormwater into local creeks, the San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean.
• OneShoreline (San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District): OneShoreline, is an independent government agency that works across jurisdictional boundaries to secure resources for the long-term resilience of our region. One Shoreline plans and builds solutions to the climate change impacts of sea level rise, flooding, and coastal erosion. These efforts enhance the environment, recreational opportunities, and quality of life within communities throughout the county.
• San Mateo County Office of Sustainability: OOS has programs for students, teachers, administrators, and facilities managers. Their resources and services fall within the areas of waste reduction, energy and water conservation, watershed and coastal protection, and alternative transportation.

Optimize your school's waste management practices with our technical assistance, focusing on reducing waste generation and increasing sorting and diversion. We provide guidance tailored to meet compliance mandates while improving your waste management processes.

Consultative Services and Partners:  

• Zero Waste Initiatives: Waste projects include assessments and recommendations, professional development for school staff, and education for students.
• District-Wide Sustainability Committees: The ELSI team helps develop and maintain district-wide committees that focus on integrating sustainability into the campus, curriculum, community, and culture of each school community.
• Green Ribbon Schools Award: ELSI offers introductory and customized technical assistance for the CA Green Ribbon Program including project management and application review
• Sustainability Dashboards: Campus sustainability dashboards make facilities and operations data transparent and easy to access. Public dashboards raise community awareness and promote action.
• RethinkWaste: RethinkWaste, also known as the South Bayside Waste Management Authority (SBWMA), is a joint powers authority formed by eleven local government jurisdictions (City of Belmont, City of Burlingame, City of East Palo Alto, City of Foster City, Town of Hillsborough, City of Menlo Park, City of Redwood City, City of San Carlos, City of San Mateo, the County of San Mateo and the West Bay Sanitary District) in San Mateo County, California. ReThinkWaste strives to serve as solid waste industry leaders in public health, safety and environmental stewardship. They provide their ratepayers with innovative cost-effective zero waste programs and Member Agency climate action plan alignment through education, engagement, infrastructure, and policy development.
• Zero Waste Education Alliance (ZWEA): ZWEA is a collaborative network of organizations leading waste reduction efforts in San Mateo County school programs. The purpose of this network is to foster collaboration, identify best practices, and provide zero waste resources to educators and administrators.
• San Mateo County Office of Sustainability: OOS has programs for students, teachers, administrators, and facilities managers. Their resources and services fall within the areas of waste reduction, energy and water conservation, watershed and coastal protection, and alternative transportation.

Enhance the environmental sustainability of your school grounds with our technical assistance. We can assist with implementing gardens, switching to drought-tolerant landscaping, and creating outdoor classrooms. For more information about the benefits and strategies for implementing outdoor classrooms and living schoolyards check out SMCOE's Green Schoolyards page. 

Consultative Services and Partners: 

• Each Green Corner: Each Green Corner seeks to bridge the gap between home gardeners and food distribution non-profits to increase the pipeline of fresh, healthy, and culturally-diverse produce for our non-profit partners to distribute throughout our local communities. In the process, EGC promotes awareness about food insecurity in our communities, the deep connection between food security and public health, the importance of permaculture and sustainable agriculture to environmental health, and using urban agriculture as a means to build community. 
• UC Master Gardeners: The UCCE Master Gardeners School Garden Committee supports the teachers and volunteers who are leading school garden programs throughout San Mateo and San Francisco Counties. Their goal is to help school garden leaders by enhancing and developing their programs to increase the benefits for students through garden-based lessons and curriculum activities. They offer workshops, site visits, and training. 
• City/County Association of Governments: C/CAG's Flows to Bay program can provide technical assistance for schools installing rain barrels, cisterns, and/or rain gardens. 

School meals provide ample opportunity for integrating sustainable practices. Switch to reusable foodware, implement scratch cooking techniques, and participate in farm-to-school programs.

Consultative Services and Partners:  

• Food Systems Alliance: The San Mateo Food System Alliance (SMFSA) seeks to support, enhance and maintain an enduring and interdependent food system that is economically viable, environmentally sound and socially just. As the first Food System Alliance in California, the group has sought to bring together all the parts of the local food system — from production to processing, distribution, preparation, retail, consumption and waste — into a cohesive group capable of creating an ever healthier and more vibrant local food economy. The members of the SMFSA include community based organizations, local government actors, food bank representatives, residents and more.
  • Farm 2 School Committee Information
•  Each Green Corner: Each Green Corner seeks to bridge the gap between home gardeners and food distribution non-profits to increase the pipeline of fresh, healthy, and culturally-diverse produce for our non-profit partners to distribute throughout our local communities. In the process, EGC promotes awareness about food insecurity in our communities, the deep connection between food security and public health, the importance of permaculture and sustainable agriculture to environmental health, and using urban agriculture as a means to build community.