Environmental ServiceS

 

CLICK HERE to join the RISD Council Environmental Services Facebook Group!

 

Thank you for being a part of the effort to expand environmental awareness and activism in Richardson ISD! Below are some resources to help you serve your school community.

 

Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child

One component of the revised Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model is Physical Environment. Per the Centers for Disease Control, a “healthy and safe physical school environment promotes learning by ensuring the health and safety of students and staff. The physical school environment encompasses the school building and its contents, the land on which the school is located, and the area surrounding it. A healthy school environment will address a school’s physical condition during normal operation as well as during renovation (e.g., ventilation, moisture, temperature, noise, and natural and artificial lighting), and protect occupants from physical threats (e.g., crime, violence, traffic, and injuries) and biological and chemical agents in the air, water, or soil as well as those purposefully brought into the school (e.g., pollution, mold, hazardous materials, pesticides, and cleaning agents).”

 

 

National PTA Resources

 

Since its founding, National PTA has worked to secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth. Over the years, National PTA has recognized the growing importance of environmental issues and the impact they have on the health and welfare of children and their families. PTA members have a responsibility to promote environmental health and safety, and to help protect our world’s finite natural resources.

 

National PTA recognizes the scientific consensus surrounding climate change and the impact of human activities. Children represent a particularly vulnerable group already suffering disproportionately from both direct and indirect adverse health effects of anthropogenic global warming.

 

Read the full National PTA Position Statement on Environmental Health, Remediation, Sustainability and Climate Change!

 

 

Texas PTA Resources

 

Texas PTA Environmental Awareness homepage

Environmental Chair job description and links to more resources

 

Environmental Quick Start Guide

Bulleted list of job duties, key dates, links and contacts

 

Texas PTA Environmental Resources Guide

Complete handbook for Environmental Chairs

 

The Go Green Initiative

A Texas PTA partner organization that provides free volunteer support, training and guidance for environmental education and programs. Download the Planning Guide to get started.

 

Sign-up page for Texas PTA environmental updates

Register to receive sustainability news and announcements

 

 

Additional PTA Resources

 

Cool the Earth

A K-8 program that provides action “coupons” to help kids participate in reducing carbon footprint and tracking their success

 

Earth Day Texas

Huge Earth Day event at Fair Park, coming in April 2017

 

Green Dallas

Complete repository of environmental info from the City of Dallas, plus regular blog updates

 

Green Star Schools Program

A national award program recognizing environmental excellence in schools

 

Keep Texas Beautiful

Resources, programs and awards focused on litter prevention, community beautification and waste reduction. Keep an eye out for the Don’t Mess with Texas school art contest in January!

 

Kids for Saving Earth

Environmental education curriculum, resources and links

 

Save Dallas Water

Tips for avoiding wasteful habits and making small changes to conserve water

 

Stopwaste.org Signmaker

App for making campus recycling signs

 

Take Care of Texas

Texas-focused conservation and pollution prevention tips, plus games and resources for kids

 

Zero Waste Lunch

Pointers for packing waste-free lunches for kids

 

For more information, or if you have suggestions for resources to share on this page, please contact the RISD Council Environmental Services Chair.