Sustainable and Climate Ready Schools 

SMCOE's Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Initiative (ELSI) offers a wide variety of Technical Assistance Services for schools and districts. Example services include:

  • Consultative Services and Coaching: Sharing information and best practices, identifying needs and assets, and problem-solving.
  • Training and Professional Development: Deliver training and professional development for a wide variety of audiences including faculty, staff, leadership, students, parents, and community partners.
  • Assessment and Strategic Planning: Conduct baseline or benchmark assessments and support the development and implementation of strategic plans for whole campus or specific focus area plans.
  • Project Management: Support or direct the management of green facilities projects. 
  • Networking: Connect school stakeholders to relevant community-based partners, utility companies, funding agencies, or other school leaders in San Mateo County.

Example Projects:

  • Sustainability Dashboards: Campus sustainability dashboards make facilities and operations data transparent and easy to access. Public dashboards raise community awareness and promote action.
  • Climate Action PlansClimate action plans (CAPs) are detailed strategies for tracking and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
  • Zero Waste Initiatives: Waste projects include assessments and recommendations, professional development for school staff, and education for students.
  • District-Wide Sustainability CommitteesThe 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. 

Why Participate?

A group of students collaborate on a posterWhy build sustainable and climate-ready school communities? According to the Green Schools Alliance, schools that adopt climate adaptation and mitigation strategies can:

  • Prepare students for the future economy
  • Increase student participation and engagement
  • Improve student academic outcomes
  • Create a stronger sense of community
  • Reduce absenteeism by improving student and staff health
  • Reduce consumption and waste
  • Save on energy, water, and other operational costs
  • Experience higher teacher retention and lower health costs

Meet Our Partners:

Julie Hilborn

Coordinator, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability

Email: jhilborn@smcoe.org

Phone: (650) 802-5406

Annalise Eder

Green Facilities and Operations Analyst

Email: aeder@smcoe.org

Phone: (650) 802-5446