LMSD was recently awarded for its outstanding efforts and deep commitment to sustainability. The district was among only 14 nationwide to receive the first-ever U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Green Ribbon Schools District Sustainability Award.

On October 24^th, a ceremony was also held to honor Harriton and Lower Merion’s efforts and present our school with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification award for sustainability. Only around 600 schools in the country have received this award, and only abour 260 of these have achieved Gold or Platinum status. LMSD is home to two of these schools, exemplifying our district’s commitment to preservation, through its facilities, green cleaning, transportation, curriculum, and participation in the district-wide Green Council.

How does Harriton incorporate so many environmental aspects in the classroom? Harriton’s environmentally conscious facility is unparalleled by most other high schools nationwide. A key feature of Harriton’s sustainable facility is that rainwater is recycled and used in flush toilets, as well as in heating and cooling systems. The school also boasts waterless urinals in school bathrooms, which save 400,000 gallons per unit, per year. Additionally, windows in the newly renovated Harriton are designed to take advantage of ambient natural lighting in classrooms, hallways, and offices.

The manner in which the facility is cleaned is also sustainable. In 2009, LMSD adopted a District-wide “green” cleaning program to reduce negative health effects to occupants and improve Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). The program incorporates environmentally friendly, chemical-free cleaning products and technologies, and also trains staff to provide the highest-quality clean and sustainable working/learning environment.

Transportation also plays a major role in the District’s sustainability. In 1995, LMSD became the first school district in the entire state of Pennsylvania to utilize buses fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG). CNG buses eliminate the use of more than 22,000 gallons of conventional liquid fuel per year in Lower Merion. Today, the District boasts the largest green fleet of CNG buses on the East Coast, and has been honored numerous times for its commitment to utilizing clean fuels in transportation.

Harriton’s curriculum even integrates environmental awareness. Two key examples of this are the A.P. Environmental Science and Landscape Architecture/Horticulture courses. The A.P. Environmental Science course offered at Harriton is equivalent to a one-semester introductory college course, utilizing an interdisciplinary approach of combining elements of earth science, biology, and chemistry, in order to better understand interrelationships within the natural world. Landscape Architecture/Horticulture deals with planning the appropriate use of land and designing the built environment based on an understanding of natural and cultural site characteristics, human need, and sound artistic and technical competence. Horticulture is the creation, production, and distribution of fruit, vegetable, ornamental greenhouse, turf, and specialty crops.

Finally, Harriton’s participation in the district-wide Green Council has contributed greatly to sustainable efforts.  The Green Council’s mission consists of three main goals: make a positive measureable difference in our environmental practices and their related economic advantages to our school community and township, develop collaborative relationships with other groups and individuals to expedite the process of environmental change, and strive to integrate environmental education and awareness programs throughout the K-12 curriculum.

Harriton’s dedication to sustainability and conservation is evident through its facilities, green cleaning, transportation, curriculum, and participation in the district-wide Green Council. The beneficial impacts of our school’s efforts are clearly expressed through Harriton’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification award for sustainability. Ultimately, by having all schools in the district recycle paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and aluminum, and by employing other sound waste management, and energy/water conservation practices, we will contribute to the health and vitality of the district and township. Also, by engaging all students in the learning and implementation of the policies through lesson plan integration, Harriton prepares them to think and behave sustainably.