 HSC Releases Healthy, High-Performing Schools Resource
February 7, 2006
The Healthy Schools Campaign held a very successful news conference regarding the release of its Healthy, High Performing School Buildings guide. There were about 25 participants, including architects, area superintendents, school board members and members of the media.
Presentations were given by the State Superintendent, Randy Dunn; the Regional Superintendent, Alan Coleman; Director of Capital Development Board, Janet Grimes; Cuba School Superintendent, Janet Spears; and Deputy Director of the Healthy Schools Campaign Mark Bishop.
Below are some examples of stories that came out of the news conference:
CANTON DAILY LEDGER
District 3 is cited as model for progressive school construction
By Larry Eskridge
of the Canton Daily Ledger
Wednesday, February 8, 2006
CUBA, Illinois — The eyes of state educators were on Cuba Middle-Senior High School Tuesday as the environmentally "green" school was used as the backdrop for the debut of a new government pamphlet offering schools in Illinois a resource guide for healthy, high performing school buildings.
Cuba was chosen as the site for the introduction of the new booklet because it is "a model to follow, one that others can look to as the best way for environmental construction which also creates a rich atmosphere for student learning," said Dr. Randy Dunn, Illinois State School Superintendent, who was present at the introduction of the booklet.
The unveiling of the booklet was attended by superintendents from across the area, as well as District 3 board members and representatives from various state agencies. The program was introduced by Al Coleman, Fulton-Schuyler County Regional Superintendent of Schools.
In his remarks, Coleman noted building the new school was "one of the most important decisions a community can make. We are proud of the investment made by the community. It's a win/win/win situation for everybody."
Dunn went on to say the material in the pamphlet was "invaluable" to school districts wanting to reduce costs, improve environmental conditions, and provide a good learning site for students. He noted the guide would be useful not only to districts building new facilities but also those who were updating present ones.
Dunn also extended "kudos to the Cuba board of education for doing something different, progressive. I applaud them for their leadership." In addition, he congratulated the staff, particularly Dr. Janice Spears, Cuba superintendent, who was also part of the task force which developed and reviewed the guide.
Dunn said he and the others preparing the resource book had a dream for environmentally friendly schools which would also help the learning environment. "It is a pleasure to come to Cuba, where that dream has been realized," he said.
Janet Grimes, Executive Director of the Illinois Capital Development Board, said the Cuba facility, which includes geothermal heating, solar power, and bleachers made from recycled materials, was "truly the latest in environmental design."
She went on to say the booklet included strategies, resources, and real life examples for keep costs down while still helping the environment and enhancing the learning process. "Twenty-first Century technology gives us the opportunity to save money while helping to teach," she declared. "This booklet is available free of charge to help both new and existing schools."
Grimes said the residents of Cuba "have every right to be proud of their schools and Dr. Spears. This is a shining example of all that can be done to make our schools work."
Spears called the building of the new school a collaborative effort, and thanked the board, the staff, and the design team for their help in the project.
"It's been fun to learn how to build green," Spears said. "I am proud our district is on the cutting edge. We have a constant stream of visitors, and we are proud to share our vision."
Spears went on to say the district was not yet finished, with plans for wind turbines, composting, and the use of biodiesel in school buses. "There is more to come. I'm just sorry I won't be here to be in on it," said Spears, who is retiring at the end of the school year.
Mark Bishop, Deputy Director of the Health Schools Campaign, noted the many references to Cuba in the guide, saying "it's such a great facility we had a hard time not using it as an example of healthy school construction."
Bishop said the guide -- which covers such topics as energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly building systems and materials, comfort and health standards for classrooms, kitchen and cafeteria design, proper air quality and noise levels, "green" cleaning and maintenance, renewable energy sources, water recycling, and school bus use -- was an Illinois specific resource designed to "broaden the vision of what is a healthy school. Cuba has become a leader in this area."
Following the presentation, visitors were given a tour of the facility, including a look at the geothermal and solar systems.
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PEORIA JOURNAL-STAR
State official wants healthy schools
Superintendent launches plan to improve efficiency, go green
Wednesday, February 8, 2006
By Brenda Bowen
CUBA, Illinois - The state's top school official said he was impressed Tuesday by the initiative he saw at Cuba's green school building, which he thinks will be a model for other districts in the state.
State School Superintendent Dr. Randy Dunn came to the school to announce the launch of The Illinois Resource Guide for Healthy, High-Performing School Buildings.
The thick booklet's aim is to teach school officials and parents statewide about improving the health and efficiency of new and old school buildings. It offers information on subjects including water efficiency, site selection for new buildings and the use of green cleaning materials.
The guide features case studies from 15 Illinois schools that are environmentally friendly and efficient. In addition to Cuba, Bureau Valley School in Manlius and McLean County Unit District 5 in Normal were included.
The Cuba Middle/High School building was chosen as the site to kick off the new program because it was built with the latest in environmentally friendly technology. The school uses geothermal heating and cooling, solar energy and skylights to save on energy costs.
The school has 240 students from Cuba and surrounding communities.
Dr. Janice Spears, who is retiring after this school year as Cuba's school superintendent, spearheaded the effort to build the new school.
Dunn toured the school with dozens of local school officials and representatives from state agencies.
Though the state doesn't require school districts to use the environmentally friendly technology Cuba uses, he said he hopes the school will serve as an example of the benefits it can bring.
"It's very impressive," he said. "They provided a model for the rest of the state."
The state's Capital Development Board and the Healthy Schools Campaign are also involved in the initiative to educate districts about making schools safer and healthier for students.
Dunn also visited Ingersoll Middle School in Canton. A new addition was recently opened at the building to educate students from the nearby Renaissance Care Center who have physical and mental disabilities.
Dunn said he was impressed by the Canton district's concern for the group of students.
"They really stepped up," he said. "Not every school district would have taken that on. . . . You're not going to find better (facilities) in other places across the state."
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WIFR CHANNEL 23 - Freeport-Rockford, Illinois
Local Middle School in State Guide
A local middle school is being featured in a statewide resource guide.
Reagan Middle School in Dixon was used as a case study for the guide about healthy, high performing school buildings. The state school superintendent wants to highlight the importance of maintenance and highly efficient systems in schools.
Dixon's middle school is highlighted because the environment allows students to focus on learning rather than distractions. To see the guide log on www.healthyhighperformingschools.org.
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