Student Leaders Continue Work to Bolster Nightingale's Sustainability

Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." At Nightingale, a small group of student leaders works hard to protect the environment both within and outside the blue doors.

Last spring, Upper School environmental leaders Lucy Scott, Olivia Stovicek, and Olivia Herrington were nominated to participate in this year's Sc3: Student Climate and Conservation Congress. A program of the Green Schools Alliance (of which Nightingale is a founding member), this five-day gathering was established to train high school student leaders with the skills and tools needed to address 21st-century challenges. As U.S. Green School Fellows, students use the week to develop a plan of action for their schools, and also make a one-year commitment to implementing that plan. They explore the interconnection between economics and environment, meet inspiring environmental leaders like Sylvia Earle and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., get in the dirt (and stream) to study ecological conditions, and learn the tools for establishing sustainable, energy-smart goals. This year Nightingale had more student delegates represented than any other school in the nation. It was also inspiring to see Sara Allan '11 serve as a student coordinator for the 2011 incoming student congress.

This year's environmental action plan at Nightingale, themed Reuse!, has kicked off with great momentum throughout the schoolhouse. From writing with refillable AusPen markers on the whiteboard to composting food waste from the cafeteria, Nightingale has woven sustainability into the fabric of the school culture. The goal to reuse resources helps to reduce waste and contributes to a more sustainable budget too. Orange peels and coffee grounds that would otherwise end up in a landfill are being used to provide fertilizer for plants that students are cultivating on the third-floor terrace. Other ongoing environmental initiatives in the Student Center include supporting local and organic food suppliers, recycling beverage containers and plastic bags, and using glassware and china in place of disposable plastic and paper products. In the classrooms, double-sided printing is encouraged, paper is recycled, and documents and other curricular materials are posted digitally rather than printed on paper.

Walking through the corridors and classrooms at Nightingale offers a tour of many other student- and faculty-led environmental initiatives. In the classrooms, lights are equipped with motion sensors that turn off when the room is empty; the enthusiasm of Nightingale students guarantees that they will not be left in the dark while classes are in session. The school monitors energy use throughout the year and has already documented positive changes due in part to new energy-saving thermal-pane windows. LED lights are also used throughout the school, resulting in further energy savings. When it comes to keeping the schoolhouse clean, Nightingale uses environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies. Even the whiteboard erasers, which are washable and have replaceable felt, are green.

As parents, it is heartening to know that Nightingale continually strives to improve the energy efficiency and quality of life at the school.

—Elena Kissel PP'06, PP'09, P'13 and Sarah Beatty P'23

To stay informed about all of Nightingale's sustainability efforts, visit the new Environmental Blog.